Big Reuse has a special heart for books. We make sure books are reused by those who will appreciate their words, keeping our bookstore at our Gowanus Reuse Center (1 12th St) regularly stocked with new finds. You can also find us on Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores like ours. Through this partnership, Big Reuse receives 30% of every purchase made through our Bookshop.org page, helping to support Big Reuse’s environmental and community programs – including composting, curbside composting outreach, tree care, tree planting, reuse, and youth engagement projects across the city. Our curated booklists highlight stories that reflect the values we carry into our work: sustainability, justice, and imagination. From climate advocacy to Indigenous wisdom and the beauty of circular living, these books remind us that change often begins with learning and reflection. Here’s a peek at some of the titles we recommend this month, each chosen to inspire connection and care for the world around us.
In our Climate Change Reading section, we have The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. The author takes readers on a journey into the secret lives of plants, showing how they grow, communicate, and recognize one another. Another featured book is The Joyful Environmentalist by Isabel Losada, which explores how we can make positive changes for the planet in joyful and meaningful ways.
In our Income, Inequality, and Capitalism section, we have Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond. Desmond explores how a country known for its wealth can also have such deep poverty. He traces how systems built by those in power often exploit those with less. Another book in this section is How to Kill a City by P. E. Moskowitz, which breaks down the modern housing crisis and the impact of gentrification in cities like Detroit, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
In our Composting and Agriculture section, we feature Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The author blends science and Indigenous wisdom, teaching that the earth gives to us and that we have a responsibility to give back. Her words about reciprocity, respect, and gratitude remind us of the importance of caring for what sustains us. We also highlight The New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng, a guide for anyone who loves having plants at home. Cheng shows how to understand your plants’ needs through light, water, and care, helping readers grow confidence in nurturing green life indoors.
In our Indigenous Authors section, we have The Buffalo Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. This story begins when a Lutheran pastor’s journal is discovered hidden in a wall, revealing a dark history of a massacre of 217 Blackfeet people. Another powerful read is Don’t Whistle at Night, edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr., a haunting collection of Indigenous horror stories that explore folklore, curses, and generational trauma.
You can explore our full list of recommended reads on Bookshop.org at bookshop.org/shop/bigreuse. Every book purchased through our page sends 30% of proceeds directly to Big Reuse, helping us continue our impactful community-based environmental work.