How to do it:

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If you’re feeling inspired, but a bit lost, pick up books about the civil rights movement or anti-authoritarian wins in other nations. Learn what happened, how people responded, and which things worked. Try Maria Ressa’s How to Stand up to a Dictator, an accessible book with equal parts personal story, history lesson, and analysis of how social media has shifted politics. We strongly recommend it.

If you’re feeling depressed or disengaged, choose an inspiring book. It can be fictional or real history, but choose something uplifting about people who win. Watch the rhythms of the book: did they despair before they turned the corner? A trusted younger ally suggests the Ember in the Ashes series.

If you’re ready to learn the nuts and bolts, or you don’t have much time for practical resistance, pick up a “how to” for activism. Here’s one option: Micro-Activism: how you can make a difference in the world without a bullhorn

Ethical Books

We encourage everyone to use their local library. Getting a card is one of the best ways you can support your library. If you prefer audio or digital books, consider Libby or Hoopla (also includes video content.) Check your library to see which tools they recommend and support. NOTE: returning digital books when you finish them helps libraries and other patrons. If you use Kindle’s library interface, they have made it hard to return books when you’re done, costing libraries money, so learn to return.

If you prefer to buy a physical book, or want to easily loan a favorite, we recommend the following options:

• Local bookstores have long been community centers, particularly for resistance. If you’re fortunate enough to still have a local store, buy there whenever you can. They can often order traditionally published books if they don’t have them on-shelf.
• Bookshop.org allows you to purchase physical and audio books while supporting small independent shops nationwide.
• Portland’s famous “city of Books”, Powell’s Books, has extensive stock including used and signed copies. They often run free shipping over $50.
• Half Price Books is an ethical company that promotes banned books and fights censorship. If you have used books to sell, they’re your simplest option: they take the whole box, paying for those they can resell and donating extra stock to schools and non-profit organizations.