“The Book of Everyday Resistance” was a quick read and there were a number of essays in this collection that really spoke to me. Here are a few quotes that illustrate the powerful insights within these essays:

* “After all, if you have a table of ten people and a fascist sits down and nothing is done about it, you now have eleven fascists at a table.”(C.E. Monaghan)
* “Resistance takes many forms, and the boldest might be the simple act of fully inhabiting the space in which we live.” (Beatriz Terrazas)
* “To marginalize or exclude the contributions made to the common good by any group is to erase their presence in the shared story of our mind.” (David Freed)

While several essays were excellent, there were a number that fell flat for me. I noticed a trend of some essays that were not much more than a list of “do this, do that” instructions, devoid of context or personal history. Those were less effective.

However, the essays that illustrated a core idea through a powerful personal story tended to be executed very well.

The other reason I’m not able to give this book a higher rating is because of how the collection was collated. I wish there had been a clearer organizing principle to these essays. Even simply organizing them into 3 sections, each with a thematic arc, would have helped to take the reader on a more intentional journey. If this collection were expanded upon or released as a future edition, I’d strongly recommend reviewing (and removing) some of the lighter and “fluffier” pieces as well as organizing the collection in a more obvious way to the reader. That way, the reader can feel guided through the journey rather than wondering what is the connection between this essay and the last one they read.

3 stars

“On Election Day, my world changed, like most of yours. I was thrown into a pretty dark depression, and I wondered what the future would hold, not only for me, but for my city and my country.” This is from the preface of this book of short essays about why we resist, even when it seems futile, and maybe after reading it some of us fighting the good fight against fascism won’t feel so alone.

The standout for me was the first essay in the book, “This is Why” by author Christopher Golden where he pretty much ch sums up my politics at this point.

I do wish there were a few more specifics about specific things to do, places to donate, etc. Telling me to “call my representatives” isn’t necessarily all that helpful if they are all full-on Trump supporters, and surely there must be other things.

The great Riverdale Avenue Books says it is making this book available for free on all of its digital platforms.

Thanks to NetGalley and Riverdale Avenue Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What we need in the United States right now is a plan to take our country back from the lawless, fascist regime that took over on January 20, 2025. This book, written and compiled in just six weeks, affirms the horror and disbelief a great portion of our country has felt. However, it’s not only a confirmation that many are feeling the same things we are. It’s a handbook on what you can do to resist.

Today, protests will be occurring all over the country, and I hope at U.S. embassies all over the world. In a time when one feels helpless, organizing and letting your voice be heard is important. Writing and calling your elected officials is important, especially if they are on board with the systematic dismantling of our democracy.

The publisher mentioned that this book will be updated as more essays and calls of action are submitted. This book is currently FREE on Kindle.

This is a book of essays responding to our present political situation in the US. The entries are written by people with a variety of backgrounds, including attorneys, teachers, writers, artists, poets, mothers, fathers. They all have been affected in some way by what is happening right now.

Mostly prose, there is some poetry, all providing ways in our lives that we can feel we are doing something to address our concerns. Some of the essays miss a bit, others are right on, some heartbreaking, others uplifting….but they are all worthwhile reads.

Whether you feel helpless, hopeless, enraged, indifferent, there is something here to help with those feelings and what individuals can do to effect positive change.

Available as a free download to all by the publisher (Riverdale Ave Books), I have recommended this quick read to all my friends.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! The opportunity landed at a time when I really needed it - and I'm not even American. I think we all need a strong reminder of what resistance can look like and the role that we all need to play in our communities as we want things to change for the better. I love that the book is free - so readers can be inspired and educated in new ways that foster acts of resistance and acts of community.
Thanks you to Riverdale Avenue Books and Net Galley and Lori Perkins for the opportunity to read this ARC. Keep up the good fight!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is free to anyone who requests it. So if essays on resistance during trumps presidency intrigue you, get yourself a copy!

I thought it was fine!

Important on a message level and at times, ill conceived in a craft level. The editor admits this was rushed to be put together and I think you can tell a bit though the idea this will expand and grow is a promising idea.

Folks new to the Democratic Party, or people needing permission to resist may find this insightful/inspiring and it will introduce some new ideas. To those of us fighting the good leftist fight moving on from the idea of a two party anything, it may fall flat at times.

I will say, y’all…Starting the first essay with a cis white man who keeps reminding us he’s cis and white and won’t be hurt as much as the rest of us was a choice…

A little bit of liberal performative advocacy with no practical application here and there. A little bit of self aggrandizing here and there.

There are a few bright spots I want to highlight. Marc W. Polite’s essay had some good moments. C. E. Monaghan also actually nailed it. Shane Montgomery had some nice moments! Perry Bass (except for 9)! David Freed highlights the Tuskegee Airmen which I appreciated. Jill Nagle’s essay on the power of “is” was/is (haha) a highlight for me. There are a few other solid moments.

This is a book that will have some liberals feeling warm and fuzzy inside and most leftists rolling their eyes a bit. I don’t think any harm will come from it, but I’m not sure how much good it will do.

Free arc from netgalley but available for free on all digital platforms according to the letter from the editor.

Between a 4.5 and a 5. I am not sure why I didn't feel it was a solid 5 but I think some of the essays
did lose me a very little bit. The entire premise is to find ways to resist and survive a trump administration. Through personal essays from contributors, Lori Perkins is able to put together this book of essays. Her hope is to make this an omnibus of resistance stories. Each author had something important to say. From living each day to the fullest, to going out and marching against the current government, there are many ways to resist. I liked that this book included, a comic, poems, personal essays and researched essays from many people with many backgrounds.

Check out a podcast that I host with my boyfriend where we talk books and book related things:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xjyht75e19Pp7LU9vQv8Q?si=c7ff17e4a9224cd6&nd=1&dlsi=976a5086c3364ad2

and our Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkbooky/

I would highly recommend this collection of essays to anyone who is in need of some hope, perspective, or encouragement at this point in history. It felt like exactly what I needed to read right now. The essays are all of manageable length and high quality. They are written by a wide variety of authors. You will not regret investing your time in this read.

Note: Before the ARC goes to final print, I would recommend in the essay where the author describes not capitalising 'trump', 'maga', etc, that this preference is made consistent in the editing process in-text, as I think this would lend more weight to the author's words.

Thank you for offering me the opportunity to ARC this text in exchange for an honest review.