I don’t really know much about socialism, but I want to learn more. I also don’t really know what kind of book I’m looking for, but I’m not really looking to read Marx at this point and I also don’t want to read a pop economy book like Freakonomics. I want something a little more legit, or academic, I guess. I’m cool with classics, too, if there is a story out there that explores these themes.
Sorry if that’s not much to go by, I’m having trouble articulating what it is I want to read
The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels is definitely a go-to, although that is further left than you’re looking for. I found Lenin’s writings very thought-provoking as well.