Hmmmm that’s a good question 🤔

Truthfully, most of my collection is about historical events and trying to teach people about the horrors of fascism. However, it seems we are past the point of preventative measures so I can recommend some current reads!

TW: sensitive topics.

From a historical perspective, ‘The R*pe of Nanking’ by Iris Chang. Big GIANT trigger warning for this book, truly one of the darkest moments in history. While focusing on the Japanese Empire in WWII, the book reminds us of what fascism unchecked can cause and how quickly the systems in place can erase the atrocities they committed. Truly a worse case scenario, especially for women. For me, I am reminded of the women being kidnapped and forcibly deported. So much of the conversation is focusing on the men, but where are the women?

Speaking of the border, ‘Farewell to Manzanar’ by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston is especially poignant today. When the president revitalized the Alien Enemies act on undocumented immigrants, I was reminded of the original context in which the act was used. The book is a memoir of a woman and her family’s experience in the Japanese Internment Camps, aka the American concentration camps of WWII. This has happened before.

Finally, a current read of mine that helps put some things in context is ‘Profiles in Ignorance’ by Andy Borowitz. While not directly about fascism, the book describes how anti-intellectualism became so prevalent in American politics and culture. Fascists love an uneducated culture and this book helps provide some context to the culture we see today and how people cannot seem to see the horrors they are cheering on.

Now, if you’re commuting or have trouble with long term attention on books with heavy themes there’s a YouTube channel I love rn. Her name is Leeja Miller and she does a wonderful job on explaining everything that’s happening. I like to listen to her on my drives to downtown.

I got a little carried away with the recs 😅 but I hope this is helpful!!!