The Consequences of Reality
Roger McNamee
A deep dive into the unseen consequences of social media's rise, based on interviews with hundreds of people affected by it, as well as workers and executives in Silicon Valley. The book explores how social media platforms shape users' experiences and incentives, and the impact this has on society.
The Crisis Caravan
Linda Polman
A critical examination of the international humanitarian aid industry, exploring its unintended consequences and ethical dilemmas in conflict zones. The book questions the neutrality and effectiveness of aid organizations, revealing how aid can be manipulated by warring factions and perpetuate conflict.
The Female Eunuch
Germaine Greer
A groundbreaking and controversial exploration of female identity and sexuality. Germaine Greer challenges societal norms and expectations, arguing for female liberation and a re-evaluation of traditional gender roles. This book ignited a feminist revolution and continues to provoke thought and discussion about the complexities of being a woman in a patriarchal world.
The Fire Next Time
James Baldwin
A powerful and prophetic work, The Fire Next Time is an impassioned plea for racial justice. Baldwin explores the complexities of race and religion in America, offering a searing critique of American society and a vision for a more just future. Through two deeply personal letters, Baldwin confronts his own experiences and challenges the nation to confront its history.
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
In the Republic of Gilead, Offred is a Handmaid, forced into sexual servitude to repopulate a desolate world. Stripped of her identity and freedom, she clings to memories of the past, a time when she had a husband, a child, and a life of her own. As Offred navigates the treacherous landscape of Gilead, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets, rebellion, and forbidden desires, risking everything for a glimpse of hope in a world consumed by darkness.
The Happiness Industry
William Davies
An exploration of how the concept of well-being has been adopted and commodified by governments and big business, examining the political and economic interests driving the happiness industry and its impact on society.
The Harvard Psychedelic Club
Don Lattin
The story of three brilliant scholars and one ambitious freshman who crossed paths at Harvard University in the winter of 1960–61, and how their experiences in a psychedelic drug research project transformed their lives and much of American culture in the 1960s and 1970s. It's about the intersecting life stories of Timothy Leary, Huston Smith, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), and Andrew Weil.
The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what's right.