Bubbles and Books

Please note: This episode was recorded on Friday, January 23 2026.

Recently, Dog-Eared Books shared a reading list designed to help deepen our understanding of fascism, full of titles we believe are essential for thoughtful learning. We paired that list with a quote from George Orwell's 1984 as part of a window display at the store, and the response was overwhelming. Comments poured in from across the country and around the world. Today, we're taking a closer look at that reading list of both fiction and nonfiction books, and reflecting on why their ideas remain so urgent and important.

Ellyn's Currently Reading | The Typewriter and the Guillotine by Mark Braude

Amanda's Currently Reading | Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie & We the Women by Norah O'Donnell

Where to Donate to Support Minnesota: 

Community Aid Network MN to provide food, diapers and essential supplies. @communityaidnetworkmn or @CANMN on Venmo.

MIRAC – MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee, responding to ICE threats and providing resources to immigrants. Miracmn.com.

Immigrant law center of Minnesota – free immigration legal representation

Books for Learning About Fascism:

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

The Project by David A. Graham

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley

Fiction as Windows and Mirrors:

1984 by George Orwell

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Books About What to Do:

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During this Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade

Giving Up Is Unforgivable by Joyce Vance

How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa

The Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang

Reading for Joy in Challenging Times:

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” -George Orwell, 1984

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