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Read This When Things Fall Apart: Letters to Activists in Crisis
From the co-author of Let This Radicalize You, a collection of letters to inspire activists to continue the fight
Organizers are well seasoned in defeat. We study movement histories, strategize collectively, and gather strength in direct action, knowing that liberation does not arrive overnight, but that the fight is worth it. But what happens when political and personal crises overlap, and the despair becomes overwhelming? Where do we turn when the process of organizing no longer feels like a site of refuge, but isolating, or even tragic?
Read This When Things Fall Apart is a collection of letters written to organizers in crisis who are struggling with the conflicts, heartbreaks, and catastrophes that activists so often experience. From grief to exhaustion, fractured relationships, state violence and interpersonal violence, the struggle for justice can be tumultuous. Each letter invites the reader to the writer’s particular world in abortion defense, organizing within prison walls, recuperating from state repression after the 2020 uprisings, or as a new parent struggling to find their way in movement spaces, and offers an authentic account of moving through difficult times.
Personal, reflective, and hopeful, Read This When Things Fall Apart is a new type of book for radicals that harnesses the writers' individual moments of despair into living, breathing wisdom capable of chipping away at the supposed inevitability of fascist life. Restorative like a letter from a trusted friend and invigorating like a story from a mentor, the book is an indispensable companion for all of us navigating the challenging times ahead.
Organizers are well seasoned in defeat. We study movement histories, strategize collectively, and gather strength in direct action, knowing that liberation does not arrive overnight, but that the fight is worth it. But what happens when political and personal crises overlap, and the despair becomes overwhelming? Where do we turn when the process of organizing no longer feels like a site of refuge, but isolating, or even tragic?
Read This When Things Fall Apart is a collection of letters written to organizers in crisis who are struggling with the conflicts, heartbreaks, and catastrophes that activists so often experience. From grief to exhaustion, fractured relationships, state violence and interpersonal violence, the struggle for justice can be tumultuous. Each letter invites the reader to the writer’s particular world in abortion defense, organizing within prison walls, recuperating from state repression after the 2020 uprisings, or as a new parent struggling to find their way in movement spaces, and offers an authentic account of moving through difficult times.
Personal, reflective, and hopeful, Read This When Things Fall Apart is a new type of book for radicals that harnesses the writers' individual moments of despair into living, breathing wisdom capable of chipping away at the supposed inevitability of fascist life. Restorative like a letter from a trusted friend and invigorating like a story from a mentor, the book is an indispensable companion for all of us navigating the challenging times ahead.
172 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2025
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October 2, 2025
I read the anthology Read This When Things Fall Apart at a time when my life had fallen apart within a country falling apart within a world falling apart. This book brought up a lot of feelings. I believe that things like burnout, loneliness, relationship conflicts, and lack of support systems for disability, illness, and aging are some of the biggest threats to activist movements. We can never run long on fumes, vibes, adrenaline, excitement nor despair, urgent anxiety, immediate crisis, and so on. I was never one to find balance in any of these and it is part of what resulted in my own stepping back from most organizing years ago. On top of inevitable things like illness and massive life stress, hyper focusing on activism without building relationships outside of it is a common issue (and is even encouraged by some movements and cultures.) This sort of isolation means that many people do not have anyone to hold their hand and ease the pain of experiencing and/or witnessing the many horrors of the world. Or if they do, they are sometimes too close to offer what someone may need. Enter Kelly Hayes who put together a collection of letters from organizers/activists to others.
The collection follows a similar format with each entry: "Read this when X," followed by words from organizers who then sign off with, "Sincerely, X." The actual content of each entry was a bit variable. Some letters feel very intimate, like the author is sitting there with you and connecting on a personal level. Other entries read a bit more like essays, discussing changes we need to implement and sharing experiences to learn from.
While all entries had their strengths, I had a few favorites. "If You're Witnessing the Unthinkable," by Eman Abdelhadi about genocide in Gaza (and beyond) was immensely heart wrenching yet hopeful and supportive. It brought tears to my eyes while also leaving me a little more open minded about the future. Aaron Goggans' "If You Are Struggling with Your Mental Health" was a refreshing follow up to the more flawed entry preceding it (more below on that.) He does well to discuss the intertwined relationship between the sensitivity and drive that can both make one good at organizing and also make one vulnerable to trauma. It also introduced me to The Wildseed Society. "If You Are Fighting Deportations and You're Afraid or Discouraged" by Aly Wane brings clarity to the fight against the destructive system of organized terror being waged by ICE and other oppressive institutions. He encourages us to look at the bigger picture and not let details or individual flaws hide the reality of where things could be if we kept going. I also appreciated Shane Burley's entry on fascism. Even though it was one of the entries that felt a bit more like an essay than a letter, it confronts some important truths and conflicts within leftist movements that we need to overcome. Reading this book also pointed me in the direction of other books to add to my endless to-read list such as such as No Cop City, No Cop World edited by Micah Herskind who contributed "If You're Losing and discouraged." I was familiar with many of the authors therein, but this was my first interaction with others.
I found the entry on suicide to be frustrating. It is the longest in the book yet the most flawed. It has strong moments, discussing how mental health causes people to act imperfectly or downright abusive and how this isolates and breaks people apart. However, her entry is less of a supportive letter and more borderline trauma dumping in ways I did not find helpful for such a critical topic that so many of us deal with. Other authors balanced the sharing of personal experiences with the supportiveness of the books format much better. The author also frustratingly diagnoses herself with TWO new illnesses (including DID and a subgroup of PTSD.)* This author was also given a second entry collaboration with another person about disability which is better, but I would have preferred a second entry from one of the other authors instead. I loved this author's work for years, so it is frustrating for that reason as well. Fortunately, the following entry about mental health by Aaron Goggans makes up for the flaws of the suicide entry.
Read This When Things Fall Apart is another one of those books that I wish would have existed when I was younger. There is so much here that I benefited from even now that could have changed my entire trajectory back then. I hope that it offers support to the organizers of today, especially as I watch my country further expand and strengthen its fascist regime. This is one of the most heinous times in our history- and that is saying something. I fear things will get worse, but hold onto a glimmer of hope. History has taught us how bad things can get and how these things are repeated when we do not learn important lessons. It has also taught me that organized and passionate people can fight those things and win.
This was also posted to my storygraph and blog.
_____
*I didn't want to make too much of this review about this one entry, so I have added this elaboration as an optional end. This entry caused me to put the book down for a bit and had the opposite of the effect the book is seeking out. I know some will bristle at these criticisms, so here is more info on what I mean: I am not against people looking into their struggles and figuring out what they suspect may be going on before seeking higher care- that is good. I am aware of the atrocious healthcare systems both in the USA and elsewhere that complicate access. Pathologizing every single human experience, fixating on or shopping for diagnoses that are most popular in media or social circles, and publicly misrepresenting illnesses- that can take a long time to properly diagnose even by trained people- in an endless telephone game has become a big issue in some communities. It's Schrödinger's diagnosis- wherein seeking professional diagnosis is avoided because doctors are (oppressive/inept/stupid/inaccessible) yet the diagnoses themselves created by doctors are concrete, real, and require no medical training to assess. This is not just simply an annoying phenomenon- it can result in people NOT receiving the correct treatment or help they need (as many diagnoses share features) which can result in worsening illness that becomes harder to treat or even suicide that this essay is meant to prevent. I have severe OCD for instance which shares traits with other disorders whose therapy worsens OCD. Some self-dxers have even advocated removing diagnoses from definitions of disability- which means removing accommodation funding. Doctors are human which means they can absolutely be shitty, but years of intensive education and observed clinical practice is not the same as googling things, chatting with friends, online tests, and highly biased self assessment. Doctors don't self diagnose either- especially not with psychiatric illnesses- because they understand priming, confirmation bias, and the importance of an external observer.
The right has their anti-science aspects (ivermectin, mask refusal outside of ICE gestapo, racist "research," etc) and we on the left have our own (self dx, treating covid and cancer with homeopathic "medicine," etc.) The author also mentions being against Medical Assistance in Dying which I know is a stance among some disability justice folks due to valid fears of coercion. However, I am tired of MAiD being organized against at every turn as I know what it is like to watch people die slowly in agony or be resuscitated even with a DNR after attempting to end life on their terms. Is the option of choosing to die of starvation and dehydration (which can still sometimes legally be interrupted) kinder to disabled people facing terminal illness? How can we discuss suicide and what can lead to it without engaging with this topic properly? I have faced some things myself and a 4th cancer could come at any moment. I disagree that the only options are genocide or die in agony. I think we can pair medically assisted dying with better support for disability accommodations.
The collection follows a similar format with each entry: "Read this when X," followed by words from organizers who then sign off with, "Sincerely, X." The actual content of each entry was a bit variable. Some letters feel very intimate, like the author is sitting there with you and connecting on a personal level. Other entries read a bit more like essays, discussing changes we need to implement and sharing experiences to learn from.
While all entries had their strengths, I had a few favorites. "If You're Witnessing the Unthinkable," by Eman Abdelhadi about genocide in Gaza (and beyond) was immensely heart wrenching yet hopeful and supportive. It brought tears to my eyes while also leaving me a little more open minded about the future. Aaron Goggans' "If You Are Struggling with Your Mental Health" was a refreshing follow up to the more flawed entry preceding it (more below on that.) He does well to discuss the intertwined relationship between the sensitivity and drive that can both make one good at organizing and also make one vulnerable to trauma. It also introduced me to The Wildseed Society. "If You Are Fighting Deportations and You're Afraid or Discouraged" by Aly Wane brings clarity to the fight against the destructive system of organized terror being waged by ICE and other oppressive institutions. He encourages us to look at the bigger picture and not let details or individual flaws hide the reality of where things could be if we kept going. I also appreciated Shane Burley's entry on fascism. Even though it was one of the entries that felt a bit more like an essay than a letter, it confronts some important truths and conflicts within leftist movements that we need to overcome. Reading this book also pointed me in the direction of other books to add to my endless to-read list such as such as No Cop City, No Cop World edited by Micah Herskind who contributed "If You're Losing and discouraged." I was familiar with many of the authors therein, but this was my first interaction with others.
I found the entry on suicide to be frustrating. It is the longest in the book yet the most flawed. It has strong moments, discussing how mental health causes people to act imperfectly or downright abusive and how this isolates and breaks people apart. However, her entry is less of a supportive letter and more borderline trauma dumping in ways I did not find helpful for such a critical topic that so many of us deal with. Other authors balanced the sharing of personal experiences with the supportiveness of the books format much better. The author also frustratingly diagnoses herself with TWO new illnesses (including DID and a subgroup of PTSD.)* This author was also given a second entry collaboration with another person about disability which is better, but I would have preferred a second entry from one of the other authors instead. I loved this author's work for years, so it is frustrating for that reason as well. Fortunately, the following entry about mental health by Aaron Goggans makes up for the flaws of the suicide entry.
Read This When Things Fall Apart is another one of those books that I wish would have existed when I was younger. There is so much here that I benefited from even now that could have changed my entire trajectory back then. I hope that it offers support to the organizers of today, especially as I watch my country further expand and strengthen its fascist regime. This is one of the most heinous times in our history- and that is saying something. I fear things will get worse, but hold onto a glimmer of hope. History has taught us how bad things can get and how these things are repeated when we do not learn important lessons. It has also taught me that organized and passionate people can fight those things and win.
This was also posted to my storygraph and blog.
_____
*I didn't want to make too much of this review about this one entry, so I have added this elaboration as an optional end. This entry caused me to put the book down for a bit and had the opposite of the effect the book is seeking out. I know some will bristle at these criticisms, so here is more info on what I mean: I am not against people looking into their struggles and figuring out what they suspect may be going on before seeking higher care- that is good. I am aware of the atrocious healthcare systems both in the USA and elsewhere that complicate access. Pathologizing every single human experience, fixating on or shopping for diagnoses that are most popular in media or social circles, and publicly misrepresenting illnesses- that can take a long time to properly diagnose even by trained people- in an endless telephone game has become a big issue in some communities. It's Schrödinger's diagnosis- wherein seeking professional diagnosis is avoided because doctors are (oppressive/inept/stupid/inaccessible) yet the diagnoses themselves created by doctors are concrete, real, and require no medical training to assess. This is not just simply an annoying phenomenon- it can result in people NOT receiving the correct treatment or help they need (as many diagnoses share features) which can result in worsening illness that becomes harder to treat or even suicide that this essay is meant to prevent. I have severe OCD for instance which shares traits with other disorders whose therapy worsens OCD. Some self-dxers have even advocated removing diagnoses from definitions of disability- which means removing accommodation funding. Doctors are human which means they can absolutely be shitty, but years of intensive education and observed clinical practice is not the same as googling things, chatting with friends, online tests, and highly biased self assessment. Doctors don't self diagnose either- especially not with psychiatric illnesses- because they understand priming, confirmation bias, and the importance of an external observer.
The right has their anti-science aspects (ivermectin, mask refusal outside of ICE gestapo, racist "research," etc) and we on the left have our own (self dx, treating covid and cancer with homeopathic "medicine," etc.) The author also mentions being against Medical Assistance in Dying which I know is a stance among some disability justice folks due to valid fears of coercion. However, I am tired of MAiD being organized against at every turn as I know what it is like to watch people die slowly in agony or be resuscitated even with a DNR after attempting to end life on their terms. Is the option of choosing to die of starvation and dehydration (which can still sometimes legally be interrupted) kinder to disabled people facing terminal illness? How can we discuss suicide and what can lead to it without engaging with this topic properly? I have faced some things myself and a 4th cancer could come at any moment. I disagree that the only options are genocide or die in agony. I think we can pair medically assisted dying with better support for disability accommodations.
March 20, 2025
I blurbed it so not unbiased but I loved it.
October 15, 2025
Read This When Things Fall Apart is full of wisdom and comfort from organizers who have been there - people with experience in a wide range of movements who have dealt with heartbreak, conflict, and defeat, and somehow found ways to keep going.
It contains letters written to people experiencing a variety of struggles, from witnessing genocide to dealing with intimate violence within movements to being isolated as a disabled person or a parent in movements that are often inaccessible.
There are also letters to and from people working within specific movements, including anti-fascism, immigrants' rights, the fight against Big Tech, and reproductive justice, as well as a letter by an incarcerated organizer about the specific challenges that activists face in prison.
The letters are intimate, raw, full of heart. They're written from years or decades of experience, of making mistakes, learning, unlearning, struggling to build with others. They're written with love for their communities, for everyone who is fighting against the often overwhelming forces of oppression and trying to imagine and build a better world.
They're written with a deep understanding of both the joys and the crushing heartbreaks of movement work, of trying to build community in an isolating world, of trying to balance self-care and community care.
I'm so grateful for all the writer-organizers who poured their hearts into this book, whose words illuminate paths through the horrific, overwhelming times in which we're living.
It contains letters written to people experiencing a variety of struggles, from witnessing genocide to dealing with intimate violence within movements to being isolated as a disabled person or a parent in movements that are often inaccessible.
There are also letters to and from people working within specific movements, including anti-fascism, immigrants' rights, the fight against Big Tech, and reproductive justice, as well as a letter by an incarcerated organizer about the specific challenges that activists face in prison.
The letters are intimate, raw, full of heart. They're written from years or decades of experience, of making mistakes, learning, unlearning, struggling to build with others. They're written with love for their communities, for everyone who is fighting against the often overwhelming forces of oppression and trying to imagine and build a better world.
They're written with a deep understanding of both the joys and the crushing heartbreaks of movement work, of trying to build community in an isolating world, of trying to balance self-care and community care.
I'm so grateful for all the writer-organizers who poured their hearts into this book, whose words illuminate paths through the horrific, overwhelming times in which we're living.
October 18, 2025
Whether you’re a seasoned organizer, a new organizer, and/or someone who’s just tired and discouraged, this book has something for everyone. By including letters from different activists, we get to hear from a wide variety of voices and perspectives. The further you read, you’ll realize that there are overlapping and repetitive themes—specifically about our community and mutual aid, taking time to slow down to take care of ourselves and uplift each other, and realizing that we are better together than apart. All the letters resonated with me in some way. They made me feel hopeful and made me feel seen. Everyone needs encouragement and a reminder that we can still be ok even when things are falling apart. Thank you AK Press for the arc.
October 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and AK Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While Read This When Things Fall Apart had some heartfelt and compassionate letters, it didn’t fully connect with me the way I had hoped. At times it felt repetitive, though there were moments that stood out, especially the differing perspectives on hope, which often felt like a friend speaking gently to me. Overall, a meaningful read but not one I see myself revisiting.
While Read This When Things Fall Apart had some heartfelt and compassionate letters, it didn’t fully connect with me the way I had hoped. At times it felt repetitive, though there were moments that stood out, especially the differing perspectives on hope, which often felt like a friend speaking gently to me. Overall, a meaningful read but not one I see myself revisiting.
November 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & the publishers for this ARC!
Wow. What can I say about this book that could possibly live up and compare to the words inside? This book found me when I so desperately needed it. I was feeling hopeless, scrolling NetGalley as an escape, when I saw the title of this book and it felt like it was speaking directly to me. I read the introduction and proceeded to sob; not from sadness, but from feeling seen and understood.
This book contains letters that address the many struggles and crises that activists and organizers may be facing in today’s political climate. From mental health, parenting, incarceration, disability, reproductive issues, deportation, to genocide, there are so many valuable perspectives within these pages. Each and every story told in this book is worth your time. I found meaning and takeaway from each letter, even the ones that don’t apply to what I’m currently facing. I could talk about this book and the effect it had on me for hours, but it’s hard to put it exactly into words. Basically: read this. I have a feeling I will be revisiting it periodically throughout my life whenever I need it.
This book reminded me of what is truly important in life: community, hope, and love. Isolation, despair, and fear are emotions that too many of us feel too often nowadays. It’s hard to stay positive when there are so many horrors and atrocities happening every single day that we have to bear witness to. While reading these letters, I was reminded that despair and hopelessness is what our oppressors want us to feel. By taking away our authority, our sense of self, and our communities, they take away the feelings and emotions that tether us to our meaning. We have to stand up and fight in the face of oppression, even if “fighting” simply means waking up every day and finding a sliver of joy in this world that feels so bleak sometimes. Change cannot happen if we are not taking care of ourselves first.
There is so much care and thought put into this book. Thank you to every single person who contributed to this book, and to every single person who fights for what is right. I learned so much from this book and feel like I walked away with the knowledge and resources to become a better activist. Sometimes it seems like our actions don’t change anything, but reading this has inspired me in ways I can’t fully put into words. I’ve felt like I’ve been in a downward spiral for the last year or so, but reading this felt like the first step in pulling myself out of the hole. If the work we do can inspire and help even one single person out there who is struggling, it’s worth it.
Wow. What can I say about this book that could possibly live up and compare to the words inside? This book found me when I so desperately needed it. I was feeling hopeless, scrolling NetGalley as an escape, when I saw the title of this book and it felt like it was speaking directly to me. I read the introduction and proceeded to sob; not from sadness, but from feeling seen and understood.
This book contains letters that address the many struggles and crises that activists and organizers may be facing in today’s political climate. From mental health, parenting, incarceration, disability, reproductive issues, deportation, to genocide, there are so many valuable perspectives within these pages. Each and every story told in this book is worth your time. I found meaning and takeaway from each letter, even the ones that don’t apply to what I’m currently facing. I could talk about this book and the effect it had on me for hours, but it’s hard to put it exactly into words. Basically: read this. I have a feeling I will be revisiting it periodically throughout my life whenever I need it.
This book reminded me of what is truly important in life: community, hope, and love. Isolation, despair, and fear are emotions that too many of us feel too often nowadays. It’s hard to stay positive when there are so many horrors and atrocities happening every single day that we have to bear witness to. While reading these letters, I was reminded that despair and hopelessness is what our oppressors want us to feel. By taking away our authority, our sense of self, and our communities, they take away the feelings and emotions that tether us to our meaning. We have to stand up and fight in the face of oppression, even if “fighting” simply means waking up every day and finding a sliver of joy in this world that feels so bleak sometimes. Change cannot happen if we are not taking care of ourselves first.
There is so much care and thought put into this book. Thank you to every single person who contributed to this book, and to every single person who fights for what is right. I learned so much from this book and feel like I walked away with the knowledge and resources to become a better activist. Sometimes it seems like our actions don’t change anything, but reading this has inspired me in ways I can’t fully put into words. I’ve felt like I’ve been in a downward spiral for the last year or so, but reading this felt like the first step in pulling myself out of the hole. If the work we do can inspire and help even one single person out there who is struggling, it’s worth it.
July 7, 2025
Thank you to Kelly and AK Press for an ARC of this book at Socialism 2025!
We're in the time of monsters, y'all. I'm writing this review in July 2025, but I imagine by the time of the release of this book in November, things are probably still really fucking bad, as they have been for a long time and continue to get worse. And if you're anything like me or the people who wrote or will read this book, you're someone who wants/is doing something about it. I'm glad to call you all my comrades in this struggle.
But unfortunately, that probably means you either have or will encounter various forms of trauma and grief within your work. Maybe you've lost a loved one, watched unthinkable things happen to yourself and others, had falling outs and heartbreaks and betrayals that make you question if this is all worth it.
This short but powerful collection of letters is meant to help you feel a little less alone in those struggles, with the hope that these words will help you feel more grounded.
Some of the letters in this were for things I have experienced, and they helped me think through and process them. Some of these letters are for things I'm dreading will happen to me in the future - I hope to return to this book at said time and see if these words help me then.
It's not an exhaustive compilation, because that's an absurd demand. But I'd say this book is like a constellation peaking out through cloudy night skies - something that may help orient or guide you when you are feeling lost.
This is definitely a book I'll be returning to in the coming months, and I'm excited for more folks to read it. I am grateful to it's various authors for sharing their lives and struggles with all of us, so that we can all learn from and be shaped by it.
We're in the time of monsters, y'all. I'm writing this review in July 2025, but I imagine by the time of the release of this book in November, things are probably still really fucking bad, as they have been for a long time and continue to get worse. And if you're anything like me or the people who wrote or will read this book, you're someone who wants/is doing something about it. I'm glad to call you all my comrades in this struggle.
But unfortunately, that probably means you either have or will encounter various forms of trauma and grief within your work. Maybe you've lost a loved one, watched unthinkable things happen to yourself and others, had falling outs and heartbreaks and betrayals that make you question if this is all worth it.
This short but powerful collection of letters is meant to help you feel a little less alone in those struggles, with the hope that these words will help you feel more grounded.
Some of the letters in this were for things I have experienced, and they helped me think through and process them. Some of these letters are for things I'm dreading will happen to me in the future - I hope to return to this book at said time and see if these words help me then.
It's not an exhaustive compilation, because that's an absurd demand. But I'd say this book is like a constellation peaking out through cloudy night skies - something that may help orient or guide you when you are feeling lost.
This is definitely a book I'll be returning to in the coming months, and I'm excited for more folks to read it. I am grateful to it's various authors for sharing their lives and struggles with all of us, so that we can all learn from and be shaped by it.
November 7, 2025
Thanks to Kelly Hayes, AK Press, and Netgalley for the ARC! As always, my opinions are my own.
"I don't know how things will turn out, but I am committed to something other than this - the current structure and state of this world. We can live differently. I don't think we have to live the way we currently do. I think something else is possible."
This book of essays is like a cold drink of water when you have a fever. Each of the different letters has a different topic or purpose: "Read this if you are struggling with your mental health," "Read this if you're losing and discouraged," "Read this if you're panicking about collapse." But they all share one central theme: the work you're doing to try to fix the world matters, and you should continue to have hope.
I needed to read this right now, watching the US fall into an authoritarian dystopia. This book is not going to insult you with platitudes. The authors of the different chapters are realists who have seen some stuff. They're very candid about the dysfunctions they've seen on the left and the mistakes they've seen people make. They're also very honest about the strength of the forces arrayed against us. This is not a feel-good book, but it does make you feel better: seen, strengthened, informed. I recommend it very highly to anyone who is struggling with the work.
"I don't know how things will turn out, but I am committed to something other than this - the current structure and state of this world. We can live differently. I don't think we have to live the way we currently do. I think something else is possible."
This book of essays is like a cold drink of water when you have a fever. Each of the different letters has a different topic or purpose: "Read this if you are struggling with your mental health," "Read this if you're losing and discouraged," "Read this if you're panicking about collapse." But they all share one central theme: the work you're doing to try to fix the world matters, and you should continue to have hope.
I needed to read this right now, watching the US fall into an authoritarian dystopia. This book is not going to insult you with platitudes. The authors of the different chapters are realists who have seen some stuff. They're very candid about the dysfunctions they've seen on the left and the mistakes they've seen people make. They're also very honest about the strength of the forces arrayed against us. This is not a feel-good book, but it does make you feel better: seen, strengthened, informed. I recommend it very highly to anyone who is struggling with the work.
August 21, 2025
This collection of essays is both searing and tender, offering a window into the lived experiences of those who put themselves on the front lines of change. Each piece carries the weight of a personal reckoning: what it costs to stand up, what it feels like to burn out, and why, even when the world resists, organizers keep showing up anyway.
What makes the book so gripping is its refusal to flatten activism into slogans or tidy victories. It captures the vulnerability and contradictions behind the work. The essays wrestle with exhaustion, identity, and the bittersweet realization that progress often comes at the expense of personal peace. Some stories leave you raw with their honesty. Others offer glimpses of resilience that feel like sparks in the dark.
The perspectives are as varied as the causes they fight for, and together they form a mosaic that feels deeply human and unapologetically political. As a reader, I often found myself torn. I was moved by their courage, stirred to act, yet also aware of the distance between their lives and my own. That tension is part of the book’s power. It invites you to reflect not only on what activism demands but on where you, too, stand in relation to change.
What makes the book so gripping is its refusal to flatten activism into slogans or tidy victories. It captures the vulnerability and contradictions behind the work. The essays wrestle with exhaustion, identity, and the bittersweet realization that progress often comes at the expense of personal peace. Some stories leave you raw with their honesty. Others offer glimpses of resilience that feel like sparks in the dark.
The perspectives are as varied as the causes they fight for, and together they form a mosaic that feels deeply human and unapologetically political. As a reader, I often found myself torn. I was moved by their courage, stirred to act, yet also aware of the distance between their lives and my own. That tension is part of the book’s power. It invites you to reflect not only on what activism demands but on where you, too, stand in relation to change.
November 3, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This collection of letters was filled with love and that really comes through. This is a great collection for people who are just getting involved in organizing under an extractive culture and already feel burnt out trying to juggle organizing with work with family with disabilities. This is also a warm hug for those who have been in it for years and sometimes need a reminder that we are all feeling worn the fuck out but we need to find ways to fight the extractive capitalist empire, support each other, and continue building new worlds.
The essays I resonated most with focused on disability and being a parent while trying to organize. It is difficult and these letters were the solidarity reminders I needed. I have organized on and off in the climate movement for six years and it is draining and discouraging. Nevertheless I always find hope when I look around at everyone else who is also doing the work so our kids can live in new worlds.
There were a few essays I didn't resonate with and skimmed through. Some felt too "work within the system" for me. Others were so honest and raw and touching on subjects I don't usually see talked about (like sex work) and I love this being a platform for that.
This collection of letters was filled with love and that really comes through. This is a great collection for people who are just getting involved in organizing under an extractive culture and already feel burnt out trying to juggle organizing with work with family with disabilities. This is also a warm hug for those who have been in it for years and sometimes need a reminder that we are all feeling worn the fuck out but we need to find ways to fight the extractive capitalist empire, support each other, and continue building new worlds.
The essays I resonated most with focused on disability and being a parent while trying to organize. It is difficult and these letters were the solidarity reminders I needed. I have organized on and off in the climate movement for six years and it is draining and discouraging. Nevertheless I always find hope when I look around at everyone else who is also doing the work so our kids can live in new worlds.
There were a few essays I didn't resonate with and skimmed through. Some felt too "work within the system" for me. Others were so honest and raw and touching on subjects I don't usually see talked about (like sex work) and I love this being a platform for that.
November 4, 2025
As an advocate and community organizer, this book gave me something to hold onto when I felt like I was losing my mind. It reminded me that this work, as heavy and exhausting as it can feel, is not a solitary fight. There are so many of us out here, struggling, persevering, and fighting against fascism.
Each letter in this collection feels like a hand on your shoulder, a reminder that you are not alone in the burnout, grief, or heartbreak we so often feel. The honesty is grounding and galvanizing, and I found comfort in the stories of these unknown comrades and co-conspirators. This isn't empty inspiration or stereotypical platitudes. It's not Chicken Soup for the Activist's Soul. It is a book of solidarity that honors the pain of organizing while reigniting the spark that keeps us going.
If you've ever felt hopeless, isolated, worn thin by the weight of the work or disillusioned by the state of the world, this book will help you find your footing again.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
Each letter in this collection feels like a hand on your shoulder, a reminder that you are not alone in the burnout, grief, or heartbreak we so often feel. The honesty is grounding and galvanizing, and I found comfort in the stories of these unknown comrades and co-conspirators. This isn't empty inspiration or stereotypical platitudes. It's not Chicken Soup for the Activist's Soul. It is a book of solidarity that honors the pain of organizing while reigniting the spark that keeps us going.
If you've ever felt hopeless, isolated, worn thin by the weight of the work or disillusioned by the state of the world, this book will help you find your footing again.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
September 12, 2025
This book is very pertinent to current times as worldwide we recon with systematic failures of our systems. Though each letter was directed towards struggles that I had and haven’t yet faces, I found in each one a piece to carry with me and to apply in life
This book features grief, burnout, isolation and finding community to cheer on in happy moments and to rely on when life throws you a curveball. The advice comes from lifelong activists and organizers, who have spent most of their life dedicated to their cause, and now help provide a different outlook to help encourage people to keep fighting, while also learning to take a step back and taking care of yourself.
I encourage activists, community organizers and people who are angry or discouraged at the world to read this book, as I also plan to revisit parts of this work in different seasons of life.
Thank you Kelly Hayes and AK Press for this ARC!
This book features grief, burnout, isolation and finding community to cheer on in happy moments and to rely on when life throws you a curveball. The advice comes from lifelong activists and organizers, who have spent most of their life dedicated to their cause, and now help provide a different outlook to help encourage people to keep fighting, while also learning to take a step back and taking care of yourself.
I encourage activists, community organizers and people who are angry or discouraged at the world to read this book, as I also plan to revisit parts of this work in different seasons of life.
Thank you Kelly Hayes and AK Press for this ARC!
September 5, 2025
Sometimes activism feels impossible. Burnout, grief, setbacks - they’re all part of showing up for change. Read This When Things Fall Apart is a collection of letters from people who’ve been there, who’ve faced exhaustion, heartbreak and the weight of fighting for justice.
These essays aren’t about easy answers or tidy victories. They’re honest and raw, full of hard-won lessons, quiet hope and reminders that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Writers like Mariame Kaba, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Brian Merchant share what it costs to stand on the front lines - and why they keep going anyway.
Some letters left me feeling heavy, others sparked something like courage in the dark. The collection is tender, searing, reflective, and above all, human. Even if you’re not on the front lines yourself, it makes you think about where you stand in the fight for change.
A book I want everyone trying to make a difference to read - especially when it all feels too much.
3✨ – Honest, thoughtful and human
These essays aren’t about easy answers or tidy victories. They’re honest and raw, full of hard-won lessons, quiet hope and reminders that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Writers like Mariame Kaba, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and Brian Merchant share what it costs to stand on the front lines - and why they keep going anyway.
Some letters left me feeling heavy, others sparked something like courage in the dark. The collection is tender, searing, reflective, and above all, human. Even if you’re not on the front lines yourself, it makes you think about where you stand in the fight for change.
A book I want everyone trying to make a difference to read - especially when it all feels too much.
3✨ – Honest, thoughtful and human
September 27, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and AK Press for an advanced copy of this ebook.
This collection of letters and essays was phenomenal. There was so much love and understanding poured between each page. Oftentimes with collections of writings, the message from one to the other can feel blended together, they can give you the same advice, a similar pov, repetitive in nature. This one did not have this issue, the stories imbedded in each letter gave this book so much life.
I especially enjoyed the differing perspectives on hope, and what hope can mean in the face of adversity. This book was incredible at being understanding and gave the reader the feeling of some speaking softly while combing their hair. I will definitely recommend this to people around me.
This collection of letters and essays was phenomenal. There was so much love and understanding poured between each page. Oftentimes with collections of writings, the message from one to the other can feel blended together, they can give you the same advice, a similar pov, repetitive in nature. This one did not have this issue, the stories imbedded in each letter gave this book so much life.
I especially enjoyed the differing perspectives on hope, and what hope can mean in the face of adversity. This book was incredible at being understanding and gave the reader the feeling of some speaking softly while combing their hair. I will definitely recommend this to people around me.
November 5, 2025
"Read This When Things Fall Apart" is a book that I know I’m going to keep coming back to time and time again. Even the letters not speaking directly to me have wisdom and comfort. Everyone had wisdom to share. Despite the fact that these letters were written over a year before publishing, they’ve maintained, or increased in several cases, relevancy to the work.
There were many names I recognized in these pages and many more than I learned about. The time and care spent by each author is deeply appreciated.
I want to get a paper copy of this so I can keep going back and mark up the pages to my heart’s desires. Give a copy to your comrades, keep a copy at your orgs’ home base, just share this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and AK Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
There were many names I recognized in these pages and many more than I learned about. The time and care spent by each author is deeply appreciated.
I want to get a paper copy of this so I can keep going back and mark up the pages to my heart’s desires. Give a copy to your comrades, keep a copy at your orgs’ home base, just share this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and AK Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 16, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an earc in exchange for an honest review!!
truly an incredible book for anyone involved in activism or curious about it. it was very educational, i learnt about movements i was unaware of and didn’t expect to feel so connected to all the letters.
it really inspired me to hear so many stories from others who are so passionate about making the world a better place and who understand how draining it can be to live in a world that seemingly does not care most of the time.
i appreciated hearing from such a diverse group of people and listening to their stories made me feel comforted and less alone, highly recommend!!!
truly an incredible book for anyone involved in activism or curious about it. it was very educational, i learnt about movements i was unaware of and didn’t expect to feel so connected to all the letters.
it really inspired me to hear so many stories from others who are so passionate about making the world a better place and who understand how draining it can be to live in a world that seemingly does not care most of the time.
i appreciated hearing from such a diverse group of people and listening to their stories made me feel comforted and less alone, highly recommend!!!
October 18, 2025
(I got this book as an ARC through NetGalley)
"Despair is a tool of our enemies" - Audre Lorde
Letters throughout this collection touch on activist discouragements like incarceration, hearbreak, disability, and more. Even letters that didn't specifically apply to me resonated with me. Every letter acknowledged different struggles, while all centering hope. Hope for our communities, hope for the future. In a world where it can be so very difficult to keep hope alive, these letters show how to keep trying, to keep practicing hope, every day.
Highly recommend to anyome struggling to see any light in this dark moment in the world.
"Despair is a tool of our enemies" - Audre Lorde
Letters throughout this collection touch on activist discouragements like incarceration, hearbreak, disability, and more. Even letters that didn't specifically apply to me resonated with me. Every letter acknowledged different struggles, while all centering hope. Hope for our communities, hope for the future. In a world where it can be so very difficult to keep hope alive, these letters show how to keep trying, to keep practicing hope, every day.
Highly recommend to anyome struggling to see any light in this dark moment in the world.
Want to read
May 17, 2025Thank you Kelly Hayes!!!!!!!!!!
October 22, 2025
Finally, a book for when things fall apart that just confirms everything is a mess; a comforting circle of despair where we can all politely nod and rate it three stars.
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