Reading on alternative societal and economic models

Does anyone have any recommendations for reading on alternative societal or economic models?

I 'm stuck in a malaise with the current barrage of news about how everything is terrible and getting worse, how the inevitable end point of the way our economies are structured is more exploitation and inequality. I'd like to educate myself on alternative models and work towards feeling, if not more optimistic, a little less passive about the situation. What has been appealing or interesting to you and why?