2020 is upon us, and with the new year should come a new set of books to add to your bookshelf. Thankfully, there’s endless literature for us to delve into. And no matter what your interests might be, there’s always something new to pique it.
Whether you’re curious about race-relations or technology, recent years have seen the work of some of the world’s greatest thinkers get published, and we’ve rounded up some of our favourite books for you to cosy up to.
Superior – Angela Saini
Science and race have always been intertwined, and in Superior, Angela Saini unpacks the relationship between the two, showcasing how data is often used to abuse the concept of race, intelligently presenting the argument that race and science can be quite the tool, and is often adopted by the far right to gain, and maintain power.
Beer in the Snooker Club – Waguih Ghali
First published in 1964, Ghali’s Beer in The Snooker Club is the quintessential post-colonial novel. This semi-autobiographic book trails the story of Ram and Font, two young English-educated men, trapped between cultures. This book is an insightful must-read for anyone battling with their identity.
Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
If you’ve yet to read the work of Ta-Nehisi Coates, it’s time you get acquainted. His book, Between the World and Me was inspired by a meeting that Coates had with former US President Barack Obama. In his autobiography, which is written as a letter written by a father to his teenage son, the writer discusses the black experience in America—covering every aspect from his feelings, to symbolism and the everyday realities of being African American
To Save Everything, Click Here – Evgeny Morozov
If you’re interested in the effect technology has on the world, then this is definitely the book for you. Award-winning author, Eveny Morozov, lays out how technology interferes with our public lives, and puts the threats of the digital age on the table.
Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture – Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay’s latest book, Not That Bad, definitely deserves a spot on your reading list. The book is a collection of essays about people who’ve had encounters with rape culture.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – We Should All Be Feminists
Best-selling novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s We Should All Be Feminists is an essential read for everyone. The book provides a unique definition of 21st century feminism—a brand of feminism that is above all – inclusive. She details all the different ways women are discriminated against and marginalized all over the world, often drawing from her own experiences, and providing a perspective that sheds light on the female experience today.
