Co-Owner Climate Book Recs: Holiday Gift Guide

11 | 29 | 25

As employee-owners of a solar company, we’re working on climate action every day – one solar panel, heat pump, battery, or EV charger at a time. Solar energy is one of the most concrete steps towards mitigating climate action, and we love working in a field with such immediate and positive impacts on the planet. But we also know there are a variety of ways in which people are fighting the climate crisis, and we enjoy learning about those as well.

For a book holiday gift guide this year, we asked ReVision Energy co-owners what environmental-themed books they’d give as gifts (and their favorite bookstores – have to shop local, after all!)

Fiction

The Ministry for the Future written by Kim Stanley Robinson

“This novel shows a future where the world comes together to systemically address climate change through law, finance, and technology. If you’re a fan of science fiction, or especially of Kim Stanley Robinson’s ability to build worlds, this is a great read.” —Chuck Hayward, EV Analyst

“Realistic climate fiction, set in the near future, with a happy ending!” —Chris Jones, Solar Designer

Co-Founder Fortunat Mueller was hesitant to recommend this one because “it is terrifying. But it has a certain optimism buried in its apocalyptic story.”

The Overstory written by Richard Powers

“Not just one of the best pieces of climate fiction I’ve read, one of my favorite books, period!” —Owen Davis, Solar Designer

“I think it is so incredibly beautifully written.” —Fortunat Mueller, Co-Founder

Stay and Fight written by Madeline Ffitch

“Set in Appalachia, three women try to raise a child against a backdrop of fracking, poverty, and homophobia. The novel is told in pieces by the couple, Lily and Karen, the new neighbor, Helen, and the boy, Perley. It’s a really beautiful look at human fallibility and what it means to be a family while trying to fix the world.” —Jill McLaughlin, Digital Marketing

Wild Dark Shore written by Charlotte McConaghy

“This book is about a family who is responsible for maintaining a seed vault and lighthouse on a remote island off of Antarctica. They have to battle stormy seas, rising tides, and social interactions with the researchers on the island. When a woman washes ashore the mystery starts to unfold, who is she and why is she there?” —Allison Barbour, Commercial Development

The Fifth Season written by N.K. Jemisin

“This book is related to all of the climate and environmental topics – it’s just in a fantasy format. This novel from the legendary writer N.K. Jemisin will challenge you and stick with you for years and years.” —Connor Rasmussen, New Construction Solar

The Monkey Wrench Gang written by Edward Abbey

“I read it as a teenager and it opened my eyes to how focused mayhem can be used as a force for positive change.” —Tom Carter, Solar Advisor

Ishmael written by Daniel Quinn

“It’s amazing and life-changing. About 30 years old, and I think it still resonates.” —Chris Bitely, Community Solar

Non-Fiction

Fen, Bog, and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis written by Annie Proulx

“I picked it up at Books Upstairs, an incredible bookstore in Dublin, just before we went to Connemara which is chock full of bogs.” —Annie Brown, Service

Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England written by Tom Wessels

“It makes you see the New England landscape in a completely new way.” —Lydia Berry, Marketing

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, edited by Paul Hawken

“It’s an excellent book for any climate action fan to keep on their shelf and pull out time and time again for motivation and quick access to real solutions to mitigate climate change.” —Kelly Marett, Commercial O&M

All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson

“An insightful and uplifting view into how we can think about climate solutions and women leading the way.” —Megan Ulin, Development

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

“A realistic outline of what can be done if we remove obstacles and how it can benefit humans. It is very American-focused and glosses over some considerations, but it is also timely given the less-than-ideal timeline we have to address climate change and the compromises that must be made to have a true impact.” —Justin Paynter, Solar Designer

The Sea Around Us written by Rachel Carson

“Rachel Carson writes about science and biodiversity in a way that manages to be educational while also being clear and approachable at the same time. The Sea Around Us is filled with joy and wonder at our shared natural world.” —Luke Curran, Solar Designer

Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change written by Sherri Mitchell

“Sherri Mitchell is an Indigenous attorney, activist, and author from the Penobscot Nation. She has a solar array from ReVision on a barn in Monroe, ME on her land that holds the Land Peace Foundation. She narrates the audiobook.” —Stefan Apse, Solar Designer

The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff Is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-and a Vision for Change written by Annie Leonard

“This will make you look around your home and think about all the stuff – where it came from, and where it will end up. How much of it do you really need? A very timely read after an industry fabricated holiday making you feel like you need to buy, buy, buy! It’s full of striking facts about consumerist culture.” —Kristine Corey, Customer Experience

Life in the City of Dirty Water: a Memoir of Healing written by Clayton Thomas Muller

“Clayton Thomas-Muller’s book was recommended by an environmental organizer friend who met the author at a conference. It’s a personal story of resilience that makes powerful connections between systems of cultural oppression and environmental harm, and offers a lot of inspiration in its vision of healing and community organizing.” —Andy Toomajilian, Commercial Sales