Find inspiration in a good book (for free)

Between wildfires, war, and economic woes, recent years haven’t always felt like a vacation. In search of relaxation or refuge, many social impact folks turn to books. The words and perspectives of others help us escape or relax or make sense of the world or re-inspire ourselves.

I am a book person, I’m guessing since you’re reading this blog post, you might be too. I try to read a book a week every year. I’m usually reading two at the same time: a nonfiction book at breakfast and a fiction book before bed. Sometimes I have an audiobook or podcast in between.

I love books about social impact. I’m always saving great-looking books for a special occasion … then discovering they’ve been on my to-read list for years. I am always looking for new books to read, however it can be hard to know where to start.

Below are our recommendations, and at the close, the resource Libby, to find more good free online books for your needs.

Leadership

Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom is one of my favourite biography/ memoirs. It is a fascinating insight into leadership as he explains his goals for racial equality in South Africa. He goes behind the scenes in the fight against apartheid, the founding of various nonprofit and political associations, and the ways perspectives on force and politics changed over time.

The book is a powerful reminder that major social change doesn’t happen because of one person, one organization, or one tactic, and what is the right strategy today may not be the right strategy for tomorrow. If you want to know how an effective leader thinks, this is one the best glimpses you’ll get.

Communications

Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals is one of the classics in social organizing. Whether you love or hate his perspective, Alinsky provides one of the most widely-used blueprints for organizing and leveraging political movements.

Once associated with left-wing social justice work, Alinsky’s rules look like a checklist of right-wing political tactics today. You might not want to copy all of the Alinsky’s techniques (especially if you don’t endorse polarization), but once familiar with the “rules” you will recognize them everywhere.

Management

We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan is a rare fictional glimpse inside the life of nonprofit development workers. In the novel, a worker for a European non-governmental organization is accused of assault in a fictional community in Africa. The main character is sent to the community to resolve the problem, and has to navigate her commitment to her cause, her personal ties to the community, and pressures from the organization to protect its reputation and remaining programs. 

The book is a bit uneven, but the tensions that play out in nonprofit organizations’ operations are on full display. Wherever you work in the social impact sector, you’ll probably recognize the themes of burnout, saviourism, racial inequity, conflicting loyalties, the desire for meaningful impact, staff turnover, lack of resources, and board-funder relationships. The climax of the book includes a board meeting over Zoom — what else is there to know? 

Fundraising

Loot. Okay, it’s not a book, it’s a TV show, but if you want to laugh about fundraising, philanthropy, billionaires, and policy wonks, this will scratch your itch. Nonprofit life deserves more air time, and the people who work in the sector deserve to see themselves reflected in popular culture. Maya Rudolph doing a MacKenzie Scott send-up does the trick.

Impact

The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia Garza is a modern-day follow up to Rules for Radicals. Garza shares the lesson she’s learned through organizing, including her contributions to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. She talks about mistakes she’s made, insights she’s gleaned, and how her constantly shifting approach to organizing work. It’s part memoir, part blueprint, and doesn’t feel like an echo from a different era. 

Personal Growth

If you know me (or The Organizer), you maybe knew that Stacey Abrams was going to make an appearance. The book is called Lead from the Outside in Canada and Minority Leader in the United States. It’s full of great advice for people trying to build a career in politics or activism. Abrams has an incredible ability to deconstruct and share her own thought processes, which gives you insight into personal development, career planning, and campaign strategy. She even provides free worksheets to help you follow her advice.

Deeper Dive

• If you are on a budget or just want to borrow a book, you can use Libby to get good free books online. 
• Check out the Organizer #6 for an overview of Stacy Abram’s book!
• Share your book recommendations with us! ([email protected])