Best Poverty Books of 2025

This #1 New York Times bestseller by Matthew Desmond offers a thought-provoking and compassionate argument about why poverty persists in America. Through original reporting and research, Desmond exposes how the affluent knowingly and unknowingly exploit the poor, keeping them in a cycle of poverty. He calls on readers to become "poverty abolitionists" and work towards collective belonging and shared prosperity. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the root causes of poverty in America and how we can work towards ending it.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, written by Matthew Desmond, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book that follows the stories of eight families in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads. The book offers a wrenching and revelatory account of the centrality of home and how its absence can lead to poverty and economic exploitation. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the devastating problem of poverty in twenty-first-century America. Overall, this book is a heart-wrenching and eye-opening account of the realities of poverty and eviction, and it offers fresh ideas for solving this problem.

The Forgotten Girls is a poignant memoir that tells the story of two best friends, Monica and Darci, who grew up in the rural foothills of the Ozarks. Despite their shared love of learning and desire to escape their town, Monica went to college and achieved her dreams, while Darci succumbed to addiction, homelessness, and single motherhood. Through her personal account, Monica Potts sheds light on the challenges faced by working-class women in rural America and the complex sociological factors that limit their choices. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the lives of forgotten women in America.

Rough Sleepers is a New York Times bestseller book that tells the story of Dr. Jim O'Connell's mission to provide healthcare and support to Boston's homeless population. Tracy Kidder, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, follows O'Connell and his team as they navigate the city, offering medical care, socks, soup, empathy, humor, and friendship to some of the city's most endangered citizens. Kidder explores how a small but dedicated group of people have changed countless lives by facing one of American society's difficult problems instead of looking away. This book is a powerful and inspiring read that leaves the reader in awe of the human spirit and inspired to do better.

When Helping Hurts is a thought-provoking book that challenges the traditional approach to poverty alleviation. The book highlights the complexity of poverty and the need for effective strategies that empower the poor to overcome their challenges. The authors provide practical solutions that focus on building relationships and addressing the root causes of poverty. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in making a difference in the lives of the poor. It is unique in its approach and offers a refreshing perspective on poverty alleviation.

Hillbilly Elegy is a memoir that explores the struggles of white working-class Americans. J.D. Vance tells the story of his family's journey from poverty in Kentucky's Appalachia region to a middle-class life in Ohio. Despite achieving generational upward mobility by graduating from Yale Law School, Vance reveals how his family members still struggled with the legacy of abuse, alcoholism, poverty, and trauma. This book is a deeply moving memoir that provides an urgent and troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream for a large segment of the country.

The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration is a timely and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the untold story of climate migration in the United States. The author presents a human-centered narrative that tells the personal stories of those experiencing displacement and the implications for all of us as we confront a changing future. The book is a vivid tour of the new human geography just coming into view and highlights the largest migration in our country's history. The Great Displacement is a must-read for anyone interested in climate change and its impact on human lives.

Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book that chronicles the life of Dasani, a young girl whose family lives in a Brooklyn shelter. Elliott weaves together the story of Dasani's childhood with the history of her ancestors, showcasing the harsh realities of poverty, violence, drug addiction, and racism. Despite facing insurmountable challenges, Dasani remains resilient and fiercely protective of her family. This book is a powerful and heartbreaking reminder of the deep-rooted inequality that exists in America. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human cost of poverty and the importance of resilience.

Homelessness Is a Housing Problem by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern is an essential analysis of the root causes of homelessness in cities across the United States. The authors shift the focus from the individual experiencing homelessness to the metropolitan area, testing various beliefs about what drives the prevalence of homelessness in a given city. Through accessible statistical analysis, they find that housing market conditions, such as the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a far more convincing account. The book offers rigorous policy solutions for unique regional contexts, making it a must-read for anyone interested in advocating for affordable housing.

The Salt Path: A Memoir is a poignant and powerful true story of a couple who, after losing everything, embarked on a transformative journey walking the South West Coast Path in England. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept path, carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs. Raynor Winn's prose is powerful, and she excels at description, reminding us that there is salvation in nature, movement, and the out-of-doors. The Salt Path is an inspiring read, ultimately a portrayal of home—how it can be lost, rebuilt, and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.