15 Books To Read This Fall If You’re In The Mood To Get Political

From memoirs, exposés, and analytical critiques, these books reflect the complexities and dynamics of today’s political climate and, dare we say, will help get you in the mood for election season.

Whether you’re seeking to understand the nuances of current debates, wanting to dive into historical and ideological contexts, or even escape from it all with a fun political romance (because they do exist!), the following selection of books promises to offer it all. 

And I must add, the ensuing list is very unofficially Rory Gilmore approved. 

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Melania, by Melania Trump

Set to release this October, Melania Trump's memoir offers a personal and unprecedented look into her life, detailing her experiences as First Lady and her perspective on the political and social issues of her time. Melania reminisces about her upbringing in Slovenia and entering the fashion world at the age of 16 when she started ascending the ranks of the global high fashion industry. The biography also gives an intimate look at the unexpected meeting with Donald Trump in 1998, a fateful encounter that irrevocably reshaped her life.

The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us, by Carrie Gress

Carrie Gress, Ph.D is an unapologetic voice to be reckoned with. Gress isn’t afraid to lay out in a clear argument what many can feel but are too hesitant to say: feminism has not only failed women, but it’s destroying them. The End of Woman doubles as a spooky read for October as it addresses real-life occult influences and explores the bone-chilling graves of some of America’s heroines in sheep's clothing.

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson

No one can make history read like a suspense-filled drama like Erik Larson, and his latest work released earlier this year is a political drama centered on what happened during the chaotic months leading up to the Civil War. The Los Angeles Times called The Demon of Unrest a “riveting reexamination of a nation in tumult,” and we would do well to read the signs of those times again before we end up in the same ungodly hour of crisis.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by J.D Vance

Glenn Close and Amy Adams star in Vance’s memoir-turned-movie, released in 2020. Vance’s moving life story offers a powerful look into the struggles of everyday, white working-class Americans. (And do we even have to add that the book is better than the movie?)

The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health, by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

JFK’s nephew is the author behind this book that critiques Dr. Anthony Fauci's role in the Covid-19 pandemic, questioning his decisions and the impact of his public health policies. Kennedy's investigation draws on a range of sources and allegations to paint a controversial picture of the intersection between science, politics, and industry, challenging readers to reconsider the dynamics of public health leadership and its implications for democratic governance. Kennedy contends that Fauci, alongside influential figures like Bill Gates, has prioritized pharmaceutical profits and institutional power over public health and democratic values. It’s another book that should scare you.

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt

In this book, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores why people are deeply divided by politics and religion by examining the hidden moral foundations that shape our beliefs and behaviors. He reveals how our intuitions and social identities drive polarization and advocates for greater empathy and understanding to bridge ideological divides. 

Feminism Against Progress, by Mary Harrington

Kamala Harris may have given an impassioned speech regarding women’s rights during the first presidential debate, but Mary Harrington doesn’t rely on emotional rhetoric alone. Feminism Against Progress presents a chilling vision of a future where disenfranchised women are exploited as mere vessels for body parts and surrogates for the affluent – but it’s not a treatise that skimps on hope. Harrington asserts that the notion of "progress" that Harris endorses has failed to benefit most women, and she argues that only a critical, skeptical feminism can truly safeguard their rights and interests in the 21st century.

A Letter To Liberals: Censorship and Covid, an Attack on Science and American Ideals, by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

A book by a Democrat who challenges his own party to reassess their values and beliefs instead of attacking the other party’s? Sign me up. This book addresses liberal ideologies and policies from a conservative viewpoint, challenging liberal principles and advocating for alternative perspectives on key issues.

Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions, by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

Framed examines the political and media-driven narratives that shape public perception, focusing on how individuals and events are often misrepresented or manipulated for ideological purposes. Together, Grisham and McCloskey expose the harrowing realities of individuals who have been wrongly imprisoned due to systemic failures and legal errors. Through compelling narratives, the book sheds light on the personal and societal costs of wrongful convictions, calling for urgent reforms in the justice system.

Intellectuals & Society, by Thomas Sowell

This book critiques the influence of intellectuals on society, arguing that their often flawed ideas have significant, sometimes detrimental, effects on public policy and social norms.

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America, by Beth Macy

There’s an epidemic happening in our country. Each year, 110,000 Americans die from addiction and drug overdose. This book provides a harrowing account of the opioid crisis in America, detailing the role of Purdue Pharma and the devastating impact of addiction on individuals and communities. 

Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our Communities, and Our Planet – One Bite at a Time, by Dr. Mark Hyman 

What’s our most powerful tool to put the brakes on the global epidemic of chronic disease and heal our deteriorating environment? One word: food. In this book, Hyman advocates for systemic changes in the food industry and public health policies, highlighting how improving food systems can address major health issues and promote overall well-being.

No Way To Treat A Child: How the Foster Care System, Family Courts, and Racial Activists Are Wrecking Young Lives, by Naomi Schaefer Riley

Robert L. Woodson, Sr., civil rights leader and president of the Woodson Center, writes that Naomi Riley’s book “reveals the extent to which abused and abandoned children are often injured by their government rescuers. It is a must-read for those seeking solutions to this national crisis.”  

Running Mates: All's Fair in Love and Politics, by Lila Dear

Remind yourself love exists, even in politics, with this timely rom-com. Find out what happens when love crosses party lines in this Hallmark meets D.C. romance. One reader shared, “Read this if you like: sweet romance, politics, and witty banter.”

Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End of Suffering, by Joseph Nguyen

The election season always brings difficult conversations, fans the flames of hatred, and can bring out the worst in many Americans. Nguyen’s bestseller is an excellent read to help maintain peace of mind, learn how to be unaffected by negative thoughts and feelings, and develop a sense of acceptance and calm during times of anxiety and uncertainty. 

Gulag Archipelago, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Time Magazine called this the “best nonfiction book of the 20th century.” Gulag Archipelago unveils the harrowing reality of the Soviet Union's brutal forced labor camps through a searing blend of personal experience and collective testimony. This seminal work exposes the systemic cruelty and arbitrary nature of political repression, and it significantly influenced global awareness and criticism of Soviet totalitarianism.

These books not only illuminate complex issues and political figures, but they also just might get you in the spirit for the election season. So, dive in and stay engaged – every bit of knowledge helps as we head toward the finish line.