in praise of difficult women celebrates 29 heroines who dared to break the rules and live life on their own terms. from frida kahlo to carrie fisher, lavern cox to elizabeth taylor, these women refused to shrink themselves or silence their voices. they planted their feet, said "i’ll do what i want, motherfucker," and ran the show. packed with life lessons, this book shows us how we, too, can live up to the legacy of these badass women. (this book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)

joan didion: the 1980s and 90s: over 800 pages of razor-sharp observation and literary brilliance from one of america’s most iconic voices. this collection includes two novels and three essay collections, spanning topics from cold war tensions and central american conflict to nancy reagan and the patty hearst saga. whether dissecting political theater or cultural shifts, didion’s work from this era remains urgent, poetic, and unflinchingly clear-eyed. (this book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)

from acclaimed author patricia hruby powell comes the story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in caroline county, virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. richard and mildred loving were at the heart of a supreme court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

make your voice heard: send a message with 30 fill-in postcards designed to help you create political change. while signing online petitions and posting on social media are great, nothing beats sending tangible postcards directly to your elected officials. more impactful than an email and harder to ignore than a phone call, these postcards will make your message stand out. remember, these are just the beginning of your participation in democracy, but it's a powerful place to start. (this book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)

mondays not coming by tiffany d. jackson is a gripping, emotionally powerful novel about friendship, loss, and the stories that go unheard. when claudia’s best friend monday suddenly stops showing up to school, no one else seems concerned — but claudia knows something is wrong.

told through a nonlinear timeline, this haunting story pulls readers into a mystery rooted in systemic neglect, grief, and love. jackson’s writing is sharp, compassionate, and impossible to forget, making this a must-read for fans of thought-provoking contemporary fiction.

perfect for readers who appreciate socially conscious storytelling, book club picks, and novels that stay with you long after the final page.

new jim crow: in this eye-opening book, michelle alexander argues that while america may appear to be post-racial, a racial caste system persists, particularly through the criminal justice and prison systems. by exposing how these systems perpetuate segregation and disenfranchisement similar to the pre-civil rights era, alexander provides a sobering critique of modern-day racial inequality. this book is essential reading for those interested in understanding police brutality, prison reform, and social justice movements like black lives matter.

this book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.

nice racism: how progressive white people perpetuate racial harm: as a society we are increasingly more aware how racism functions as a system that permeates all of our interactions and social structures. in this book by the author of white fragility, robin diangelo explores how white progressives often cause the most daily harm to people of color. drawing on extensive sociological research and experience, this book identifies common white racial patterns and shows how well-meaning white people often continue to perpetuate racial systems and harm.

this book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.

power hungry: women of the black panther party: the black panthers are often credited with forcing the government’s hand on free school meals, thanks to how effectively they used food as a tool for organizing and empowerment. this powerful history centers two women—cleo silvers and aylene quin—who led that charge. despite fbi interference, including firebombing, food sabotage, and labeling free breakfast as a threat to public safety, these women pushed forward, using community meals to build solidarity and resistance. a sharp and necessary look at how food became a battleground for justice. (this book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)

power of nonviolent resistance: selected writing: this collection of writings by mohandas k. gandhi delves into his philosophy of nonviolent civil disobedience, a method that inspired movements worldwide, including martin luther king jr.'s fight for civil rights. gandhi's influence on political resistance was immense, with his ideas contributing to the peaceful expulsion of the british empire from india. this edition, with added context from gandhi scholar tridip suhrud, offers deeper insight into the enduring power of nonviolent resistance. perfect for those interested in the intersections of activism, history, and peace.

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this photographic celebration of queer love and excellence gathers fourteen LGBTQ+ power couples, offering a glimpse into the journeys that led to their meaningful relationships and thriving careers. from designer debbie millman’s ardent courtship of writer roxane gay to the romantic and creative relationship forged between perfume genius bandmates mike hadreas and alan wyffels on stage during their first world tour, this beautiful book offers a closer look into the lives of fourteen inspiring LGBTQ+ couples and the meet-cutes, success stories, and personal reflections that made them the role models they are today. these icons come from a range of backgrounds—they are trailblazers who lead research labs, kitchens, and news organizations; create life-giving art and music; and tell queer stories in award-winning books, films, and television shows.

real queer america: lgbt stories from red states is a road trip memoir through the bible belt, deep south, and beyond — where queer joy and resistance bloom in the least expected places. journalist samantha allen sets out with her motto “something gay every day,” capturing powerful stories of lgbt life in communities often overlooked, yet full of pride, love, and grit.

paperback. may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and show mild signs of shelfwear.

sex talk shows how opening up discussions on bodies, sexuality and pleasure can lead to much, much better sex and self-esteem, by the eminent french feminist pornographer olympe de ge and feminist writer stephanie estournet.

sex talk has a clear mission – breaking the taboo of taboos – by opening up the discussion of sex and desire in a clear, engaging and motivational way. the book takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery through nine chapters, discussing everything from self-stimulation, exploring sexual orientation, communicating wants and desires with a partner, staying safe online when sexting, exploring erotica and porn and creating private content – but at the core is the pervading importance of owning your sexual self.

shaking the gates of hell: a search for family and truth is a deeply personal and powerful account of reckoning with silence, faith, and the legacy of the civil rights movement. growing up in alabama, journalist john archibald reflects on his father’s quiet pulpit during a time of southern unrest and racial injustice. why didn’t his father, a methodist minister, speak out more forcefully against the wrongs surrounding them?

this affecting memoir explores the weight of inherited silence, the cost of complicity, and the journey toward truth and accountability—both personal and collective.

paperback
published by vintage
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she votes is a vibrant, intersectional story of the women who fought for suffrage and those who continue to raise their voices for equality. from the first female principal chief of the cherokee nation to the first woman to wear pants on the senate floor, author bridget quinn shines a spotlight on the trailblazers who broke down barriers. this deluxe edition also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the nineteenth amendment, featuring illustrations by 100 women artists.

• a colorful, intersectional account of the struggle for women’s rights in the u.s.
• heart-pounding scenes and keenly observed portraits of groundbreaking women from elizabeth cady stanton to audre lorde.
• beautifully illustrated by 100 women artists, making it a visual as well as a historical treasure.

she votes is a refreshing, illuminating read for feminists of all kinds—celebrating the voices that fought and continue to fight for equality.

cold war: simple history series zine #10: in this zine, j. gerlach covers the cold war, an era of paranoia, nuclear threats, and global tensions. spanning major events like the bay of pigs, perestroika, and post-war reconstruction in europe and asia, gerlach explores how the cold war was marked by a series of dangerous “what-ifs” and pivotal moments that shaped the modern world. written in an engaging and accessible style, this zine offers a clear overview of the cold war’s key conflicts and consequences.

published by microcosm!
zine / pamphlet