Our Social Action Reading List for 2021

Back by popular demand (even if slightly later than usual) is this year’s social action reading list –thanks to those who have been in touch asking for new book recommendations and have encouraged us to issue a new social action reading list!

If you have missed previous year’s lists you can find 2020 here and 2019 here.

Over the last 12 months, the world has changed tremendously — despite the pressures of emergency response work, we certainly have had time for reading and continue to find time for reflection about how we can make things better in the world around us. Our team reading list for 2021 is below. As always, we would like to invite you to read along with us and join the discussion via our social media and newsletter.

• January — Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 by Jim Collins. At Oxford Hub we love Jim Collins’ work. Good To Great in the Social Sectors is essential reading for everyone on the team, and this book was just the perfect way to start a new year. Ideal for anyone running an organisation or wanting to start one.
• February — Stamped by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. This Young Adult version of the Ibram X. Kendi book is a very deliberate choice for Black History Month. This month we kick off our Big Brothers Big Sisters Teen Reads Book Club for mentors and young people in the programme. Stamped is accessible and engaging, the perfect introduction to the ideas of racism and anti-racism, not just for young people but for adults too!
• March — Together by Luke Adam Hawker. This book is a wonderful way to celebrate the one year anniversary of Oxford Together. It’s a beautiful illustrated book, which has the potential to become a classic, and help us understand and process the difficult events of the last 12 months. With thanks to Octopus Publishing for the advance review copy.
• April — What we owe each other by Minouche Shafik. A look at the challenges of our time seen through the lens of economics. A very accessible and insightful read as we emerge from the pandemic and consider some important policy questions, where the decisions we make will really shape the years to come.
• May — Stranger Care by Sarah Sentilles. A must read for anyone who wants to hear about different approaches to making a family, the flaws of the system that hinder attempts to advance family reunification and how to navigate those challenges as a foster family. Essential reading for all our Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors, particularly those who have recently become foster carers or are considering going through the process. With thanks to Text Publishing for the advance review copy (published in the UK by Random House).
• June — Paulo Freire, a philosophical biography by Walter Omar Kohan. If you are a fan of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, this is a good way to take a look at the complete work of Paulo Freire, seen through five interconnected topics — life, equality, love, errantry, and childhood. Recommended for anyone interested in the relationship between education and politics. With thanks to Bloomsbury Academic for the advance review copy.
• July — The Utopians by Anna Neima. This is a fascinating look at six different experimental communities across the world, from Japan to New England, providing us with lots of food for thought about how we can live together and build stronger communities. Plenty of inspiration as we focus on building a better Oxford through relationships. With thanks to Pan American for the advance review copy.
• August — You will leave a trail of stars by Lisa Congdon. The Oxford Hub team is full of keen wild swimmers, and we have enjoyed Lisa’s previous book ‘The Joy of Swimming’ too. She is now back with inspiring words and art to motivate you to achieve your own goals.
• September — A mind spread out on the ground by Alicia Elliott. A Native American author’s reflection on racism, oppression, and the legacy created by the colonial history of North America. A beautifully written collection of essays that reminds you how embedded these issues are in our day-to-day lives, and how we need to stop ignoring the oppression many feel across our society.
• October — The Power of us by David Price. Because we know that we won’t achieve anything on our own, here’s a great read about collaboration and how we can come together to make things happen — our favourite thing to do at Oxford Hub.
• November — Why Fish Don’t Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller. This book is hard to describe, and so our recommendation is that you take a look at it. We think that if you decide to read it, you won’t regret it!
• December — A Velocity of Being: Letters to Young Readers. In case you are unsure about holiday presents, this is an important reminder that the gift of reading is probably the best thing you can ever give to someone! 121 inspiring humans write about the power of reading with absolutely beautiful illustrations. Definitely a treat for the holiday season and appealing to readers of all ages.

Follow us on social media to find out more about our reading progress, join us for any book club or join the conversation