July 2025 Reads—Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky and More

What books have I read in July? Let's see.

1. The Indispensable Zinn, Howard Zinn

2. A Livable Future is Possible, Noam Chomsky, C.J. Polychroniou

3. Manufacturing Consent, Edward S. Herman, Noam Chomsky

4. History of Manipur Pre-Colonial Period, Gangmumei Kamei

5. Rebel India, Henry Noel Brailsford

6. Rainbow Valley, L.M. Montgomery

The Indispensable Zinn is a curated collection of Howard Zinn's most influential writings. The book highlights his lifelong commitment to social justice, anti-war activism, and grassroots democracy. It includes selections from A People's History of the United States and his speeches, essays, and personal reflections. He made a powerful case for ordinary people as agents of change in history, which is exactly the kind of thing I want to read, learn, and get inspired by. I'm very glad I picked this up.

A Livable Future is Possible is a series of interviews with Noam Chomsky conducted by journalist C.J. Polychroniou (sounds like a chemical substance), where Chomsky discusses the interlinked crises of climate change, capitalism, war, and democracy. I haven't finished reading this one. I guess I needed something cheerful because I was feeling the opposite. Seen the images of starving children in Gaza?

Manufacturing Consent introduces the "propaganda model" of media, arguing that mass media in the US serve elite interests by shaping public opinion to align with corporate and political power. I haven't finished this either. I'd really like to delve into some of the case studies in the book, so I'm not going to ditch this; most likely, I'll finish it in August.

History of Manipur: Pre-Colonial Period. Following my mission to read more books about my home state, I picked this book. Again, I haven't finished reading this because I got distracted by the abundance of myths; I can't tolerate some of the sources trying to pass off myths as real history. The author calls them out, though. Not sure whether to keep reading this or not.

Rebel India critiques British imperialism and argues for India's right to self-determination, offering Western readers a perspective on colonial injustice and Indian resistance. Another one I did not finish reading. 

Rainbow Valley, the seventh book in the Anne of Green Gables series, shifts focus from Anne Shirley to her children and their friends, the Merediths. When I said I needed something cheerful, this is what I meant. Anne is like an imaginary friend, a kindred spirit. Reading about her brings some comfort. Though the book is more about the children than her, it's okay nonetheless. I liked imagining the children's mischievous adventures, heartfelt friendships, and innocent struggles. These are things children should be experiencing. Not being starved to death, fearing for their lives, and many unimaginable things.

Also read Exes & O's by Amy Lea, one of the books I got for free in a bookstore giveaway on Instagram. It's cheesy Hollywood romance stuff. Not for me.

3 books completed ✅, 4 books not completed 😵

P.S.: One of our cats is sick. The vet says it's calicivirus. 

Wonder why I'm in low spirits.

::>_<::