Social Change Book Club: Four winter reads for an impactful 2024

Whether you’re ready to hunker down with a good winter read, are after inspiration for 2024 goals or need gift ideas for the big thinkers in your life – our winter edition of the social change book club has you sorted. 

Our friends at culture society The Trouble Club, which hosts an enlivening programme of talks with female speakers, contributed to the list. For even more picks from the both of us, take a look our summer reads write up. 

 

No Offence, But… by Gina Martin

We all know what a conversation starter is, but what about a conversation stopper? Think “to play devil’s advocate…”, “you can’t say anything these days…”, and, of course, “no offence, but…”

Activist Gina Martin’s insightful new book is themed around 10 of these phrases that prevent us from having productive discussions on polarising subjects, from policing to fast fashion. No Offence, But… unpacks the harm they do as well as providing practical advice for better conversations, with chapters from other leading activists, writers and educators. 

 

Do Good, Get Paid by Natalie Fee

Itching to make more of an impact through your work? Do Good, Get Paid is the handbook you need to get started or to make existing purpose-led projects work for you financially. 

Natalie Fee is the campaigner and non-profit founder who’s poured her wisdom and advice into this book. As well as her own journey to leading plastic-busting environmental organisation City to Sea, she’s also woven in stories from fellow professional changemakers. It’s all the motivation you need to make the leap into more meaningful work. 

 

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

Caroline Criado Perez’s Invisible Women has become something of a modern classic on social and gender equality. It exposes the insidious gender data gap that has created (and continues to create) a world designed for one half of the population: men. 

Criado Perez unearths mountains of biassed data around everything from urban planning and technology to medical research. It’s impossible not to be shocked by the vast number of ways women are forgotten and the impact this has on their health and wellbeing. You’ll be more fired up than ever to fight for an equal society. 

 

Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis

What happens to the things we throw away? If you’ve ever been curious, join journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis on his mega deep dive into the world of waste. Wasteland looks at everything from food and electronics, to nuclear and industrial waste. No dustbin lid is left unlifted. 

As well as the worrying impact all this has on the planet, Franklin-Wallis examines the human stories connected to the waste crisis across the globe – both those dealing with the effects of waste mismanagement and those working tirelessly to clean up our future. 

 

Consumed by Aja Barber

Enter 2024 prepped to be a citizen, not a consumer, courtesy of writer and sustainability consultant Aja Barber. In Consumed, she breaks down the injustices and oppressive systems propping up the fashion industry, before empowering you to swap consumerist habits for actions that make a difference. By the end, you’ll be ready to kick fast fashion out of your wardrobe. 

 

Which books about social change do you recommend? Tell us over on LinkedIn.