Riot Headline The Best Books of 2024
Lists

Required Reading List for Donald Trump

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Katie MacBride

Staff Writer

Katie MacBride is a freelance writer, librarian, and weird dog lady living in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not hunched over her computer, she’s teaching writing to high school students or reading in the bathtub. She’s hoping to one day update this bio with the title of a forthcoming book. Read her work at www.katiemacbride.com or follow her on Twitter: @msmacb

There is a lot the Republican nominee for President doesn’t know. Way more things than could fit on this–-or any–-list. But if he’s going to make an attempt at being a not completely horrible human being, here are a few books that Secretary Clinton’s opponent would do well to pick up.

***

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieAmericanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

It makes me cringe to think about this gorgeous novel in Trump’s tiny, orange hands but there’s so much he could learn from Americanah. Adichie explores issues of race, class, and humanity with humor and compassion. Sorely lacking in a compassionate or nuanced view of, well, anything, Americanah would be a great place for DJT to start.

Bbackroomsack Rooms: Voices from the Illegal Abortion Era by Ellen Messer and Kathryn E. May

Trump’s rhetoric around abortion is the same as it is around most issues: inflammatory and ignorant. If he’s going to insist on talking about that which he understands little (as evidenced by his brutally misleading description of third-trimester abortion), he should at least understand the dangers posed by his reckless words.

Between thbetween the world and mee World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Few public figures espouse more ignorance about race than Donald Trump. Let’s remember that the Republican nominee for President is a man who answered a question about racism by praising “stop-and-frisk” policing. Yes, he argues that we should address racism by doing more of the thing that is so racist, it’s been ruled unconstitutional. Good plan. Anyway, Donny Boy, read this book. Then read it again. Then take out a full-page ad in the Daily News explaining why you suck.

Beybeyondfundamentalismond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism in the Age of Globalization by Reza Aslan

It’s become clear over the course of the election that Trump thinks if he says the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism” enough times, ISIS will magically disappear. While (hopefully) the majority of people voting in this election realize the situation is far more complicated than that, few people can articulate the roots of religious extremism and jihadism better than Reza Aslan. The book was published in 2010, so it’s not as current as some analyses but if the Republican nominee for president read even a single chapter in this book, he would walk away about 300% more informed than he is now.

I KnoI-Know-Why-the-Caged-Bird-Sings-Maya-Angelouw Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Everything on this reading list comes down to the same truth: there is so much Donald Trump doesn’t know. His life experience is one of exclusivity and privilege, and he’s never exhibited a desire to broaden his perspective. If DJT had one ounce of the strength, grace, and beauty Maya Angelou does, the prospect of his presidency wouldn’t be so terrifying. Alas, instead of learning from the life experience of the great writer, Trump’s penchant for plagiarism probably means we should expect “I Know Why the Orange Beast Squawks (Because his Squawk is Tremendous)” next fall.

borderlands la fronteraBorderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldua

Trump’s delusional insistence on “the Wall” serves as a prime example of how little he understands immigration, the reality of the border, and basic humanity. Hopefully this fantastic book will provide him with a sliver of insight on his slow, whiny, slither to the bottom.

 

elementsElements of Style by Strunk and White

Listening to Trump talk or reading something he’s written always makes me wonder: did I accidentally eat a pot brownie? I know he’s using words in the English language, but taken together it’s often utter nonsense. For someone whose entire campaign has been a xenophobic, nationalistic, circle-jerk he really seems to hate the English language. Bottom line? DJT needs help with the fundamentals. Allow Strunk and White to assist.

The Empathy ExamsThe Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison

“Empathy requires knowing you know nothing. Empathy means acknowledging a horizon of context that extends perpetually beyond what you can see.”

 

 

how-not-to-be-a-dickHow Not to Be a Dick: An Everyday Etiquette Guide by Meghan Doherty

No explanation necessary.

 

 

 

Shrill Lindy WestShrill by Lindy West

Trump has a problem with women. He especially has a problem with loud, opinionated women. And if that loud, opinionated woman also happens to bigger than a size 6? It’s just about his worst nightmare. So crack this puppy open, DJT, and realize that everything you thought you knew about women is wrong.

 

sister outsiderSister Outsider by Audre Lorde

Literally everything Lorde discusses in Sister Outsider (or anywhere, for that matter) will make Baby Hands uncomfortable, and that’s precisely why he needs to read it. Because his version of “locker room talk” is not a “boys-will-be-boys thing,” it’s a sexual assault thing. The woman who wrote, “rape is not aggressive sexuality, it is sexualized aggression” could certainly teach Trump a thing or two.

The SneetchesThe Sneetches by Dr. Seuss

YAY! Pictures! Are you feeling more comfortable now, Star-Belly Trump? Well, don’t get too excited. Dr. Seuss is about to make it very clear how all of the power structures you hold dear are, to put it mildly, bullshit. Settle in.

 

this-changes-everything-coverThis Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein

Klein’s book features Donald’s second favorite C-word (capitalism) in the title, so maybe he’ll actually crack this one open. See also: climate change is not a hoax perpetrated by China, dingus.

 

constitution for dummiesU.S. Constitution for Dummies by Michael Arnheim

You know why.