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Whether you’re curious about electric vehicles (EVs), interested in lowering your energy bills, or simply want to better understand how our electric grid is changing, summer is the perfect time to pick up a good book.
The transition to cleaner, more reliable energy isn’t just about new technologies—it’s about understanding how they can benefit our homes, our communities, and our wallets. These seven books offer practical insights into the future of energy and why smart investments in efficiency, electrification, and renewable power can help create a more affordable, resilient New Jersey.
1. “Electrify: An Optimist’s Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future” (MIT Press), by Saul Griffith
Perfect for: Homeowners considering heat pumps, induction stoves, rooftop solar, or an electric vehicle.
Engineer and inventor Saul Griffith makes a compelling case that electrifying our homes, vehicles, and businesses is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to reduce energy use while cutting emissions. Rather than focusing on sacrifice, “Electrify” shows how replacing aging gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives—and driving electric vehicles—can save money over time while making our energy system cleaner and more resilient.
2. “Shorting the Grid: The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid” (Carnot Communications), by Meredith Angwin
Perfect for: Readers interested in the “behind the scenes” story of how electricity reaches our homes.
Ever wonder why electricity prices fluctuate or why discussions about transmission lines and grid reliability make headlines?
Meredith Angwin offers an accessible look at how the U.S. electric grid operates, why reliability challenges exist, and how energy markets influence what consumers ultimately pay. “Shorting the Grid” also provides valuable context for understanding regional grid operators like PJM and the importance of thoughtful energy policy.
3. “The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future” (Bloomsbury USA), by Gretchen Bakke
Perfect for: Anyone curious about the future of the electric grid and clean energy infrastructure.
Our electric grid was built for a different era. As renewable energy, battery storage, and electric vehicles become more common, the grid must evolve alongside them.
Gretchen Bakke explains why modernizing America’s electric infrastructure is essential and explores how distributed energy resources—including rooftop solar and battery storage—are reshaping the way electricity is produced and delivered.
4. “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” (Knopf), by Bill Gates
Perfect for: Readers looking for a big-picture understanding of clean energy solutions.
This broad overview examines the technologies needed to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions across electricity, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and buildings. Whether or not you agree with every recommendation, the book provides a useful introduction to the scale of the energy transition and the innovation required to build a cleaner economy.
5. “The Future Is Electric” (Bloomsbury Sigma), by Alice Bell
Perfect for: Anyone just beginning to explore clean energy.
Alice Bell provides an approachable introduction to electrification, explaining why electric vehicles, heat pumps, clean electricity, and efficient homes are becoming central to modern energy systems.
6. “The Story of More” (Random House), by Hope Jahren
Perfect for: Book clubs and readers interested in practical sustainability.
Climate change often feels overwhelming, but Hope Jahren focuses on the everyday choices that shape our energy use. Through engaging storytelling, she explains how transportation, housing, consumption, and food systems all influence energy demand—and how small, practical changes can add up to meaningful progress.
7. “The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google” (W.W. Norton & Company), by Nicholas Carr
Perfect for: Readers interested in the history of infrastructure and innovation.
Although originally written about the digital economy, “The Big Switch” explores how society has repeatedly transformed major infrastructure systems—including electricity—and what those transitions can teach us about the future. It’s an interesting reminder that large-scale technological shifts often happen gradually before becoming everyday life.
Whether you’re planning your next home improvement project, shopping for an EV, or simply looking to understand the changing energy landscape, these books offer valuable perspectives that can help you become a more informed energy consumer.
Happy reading—and here’s to a cleaner, more affordable energy future.
