You might think Jacobin staffers and contributors spend all our time reading boring old leftist theoretical texts. That’s not true — it’s only how we spend the majority of our time. The rest of the time, we read widely: fiction and nonfiction, history and philosophy, new books and old. Occasionally, we even read books that are fun.

We asked a handful of writers and editors to reflect on the best books they go through this year and what made them worthwhile. Below, you’ll find recommendations for the perfect primer on Marxism to give your open-minded, liberal friend; a candid memoir about working as an union organizer in Arizona; a passionate argument for the value of city living; and the best novel we’ve ever read about organized radicals.

From all of us at Jacobin, thank you for reading us and for reading with us in 2022.