On Freedom

By Maggie Nelson,

Book cover of On Freedom: Four Songs of Care and Constraint

Book description

What can freedom really mean?

'One of the most electrifying writers at work in America today, among the sharpest and most supple thinkers of her generation' OLIVIA LAING

In this invigorating, essential book, Maggie Nelson explores how we might think, experience or talk about freedom. Drawing on pop culture, theory…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked On Freedom as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is the most obvious book on this list. If you do read one book about climate change, make it this one.

It’s mainly not about climate change at all, but about the difficult balance between protecting people and freedom of expression. If we want a society that makes life better for all, and I do want that, we need to get this balance right.

It’s hard, as Nelson shows, but also incredibly exciting to identify freedom, in art, in sex, in drugs and in climate. This list isn’t an accident. 

The Truth About Unringing Phones

By Lara Lillibridge,

Book cover of The Truth About Unringing Phones

Lara Lillibridge

New book alert!

What is my book about?

When Lara was four years old, her father moved from Rochester, New York, to Anchorage, Alaska, a distance of over 4,000 miles. She spent her childhood chasing after him, flying a quarter of the way around the world to tug at the hem of his jacket.

Now that he is in his eighties, she contemplates her obligation to an absentee father. The Truth About Unringing Phones is an exploration of responsibility and culpability told in experimental and fragmented essays.

The Truth About Unringing Phones

By Lara Lillibridge,

What is this book about?

When Lara was four years old, her father moved from Rochester, New York, to Anchorage, Alaska, a distance of over 4,000 miles. She spent her childhood chasing after him, flying a quarter of the way around the world to tug at the hem of his jacket. Now that he is in his eighties, she contemplates her obligation to an absentee father.




The Truth About Unringing Phones: Essays on Yearning is an exploration of responsibility and culpability told in experimental and fragmented essays.


Want books like On Freedom?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like On Freedom.

Browse books like On Freedom

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in liberty, philosophy, and pop culture?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about liberty, philosophy, and pop culture.

Liberty Explore 52 books about liberty
Philosophy Explore 1,567 books about philosophy
Pop Culture Explore 145 books about pop culture