Accessible Books to Educate and Inspire During Times of Political Divide

The aim of this post is to share books that I feel are profound and educational, as in they educate on how others live. I think divide and hate stem from ignorance. Not in a cruel way, but literally. As in, we don’t know how other people live.

If you haven’t walked in their shoes, you don’t know their experiences and thus the choices they have to make or worry about compared to you.

These books are political (either directly or indirectly) and tackle real social issues. Others are simply fiction books that represent an education in politics and sociology because they show realistic stories or talk about real issues amongst the rest of the narrative. These books have all educated me in empathy and knowledge of our world, so I hope they will do the same for you.

Please share your thoughts in the comments, too. Let’s all get to know one another better, so we can look out for one another. It’s not left versus right, it’s humanity and society coming together.

Books I’ve read myself:

Factfulness by Hans Rosling – offers a general understanding of statistics across the world on poverty, vaccines, death and birth rates, etc., to get a realistic view of what’s happening (the book is from 2018, so it is a little outdated, but the information and how it’s delivered is still relevant)

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge – the first heavier book on race that I’ve read, discussing the trials of black people constantly having to argue their side with white people who often don’t understand

This Book is Antiracist by Tiffany Jewel – one of the first real books on race and black history that I’ve read, very accessible and eye-opening even as a person of colour

Educated by Tara Westover – a memoir by a woman raised Mormon struggling with her identity and beliefs, a beautiful story about finding oneself while respecting one’s family and making one’s own education

Natives by Akala – on black lives, culture, and history in an accessible and informative way

Babel by R F Kuang – on imperialism, colonialism, the nuances and ethics around language, and the British’s destruction of language and power across the world

On Tyranny by Timothy – how tyrants come to power and the scarily similar patterns we are seeing repeated in today’s society

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson – a satirical and accessible education through most of the letters in the LGBTQ+ community

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer – a gorgeous scientific and personal story through nature and Native American cultural practices

Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo – a satirical journey through a revoluntionary political election in Zimbabwe in Animal Farm style, on “tyranny, oppression and rebellion”

Mind Over Miles by Russ Cook – a journey (literally and figuratively) through Africa that I felt disproves some of the beliefs and fears about the continent held by the West

Chavs by Owen Jones – (I’m partway through) about poverty, the working class, and those of a low socioeconomic status; how they are villainised and mocked by the higher classes and in the media

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart – on poverty, working class, social struggles, and drug abuse (fiction)

Detransition Baby, by Torres Peters – on trans lives in all forms (fiction)

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed – hearing the perspectives of many people from different walks of life = empathetic

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – watch the show or read the book if you have strong views about the place of women in society…

HMRC series by Juno Dawson – fantasy but hits on some crucial social issues in modern day UK with satire and punch without being preachy

Books I Own but haven’t yet read:

Half Arse Human by Leena Norms – on the climate crisis, politics, capitalism, and burnout, in a truly fun, accessible, and lighthearted manner so that we can actually change the world one thing at a time

Who Will Remain by Kasim Ali – a very British /Brummie book about the “social expectations and social condemnation” faced by Pakistani main characters who make different decisions and follow different paths

Girl Woman Other by Bernadine Evaristo – on the many layers of womanhood

Zadie Smith books (I have White Teeth and N-W) – on socialism, class, race, working class livelihood, with gripping, gritty realistic characters

Conflicted by Ian Leslie – “how to disagree without fighting, and shows how mastering the techniques of productive disagreement can transform every aspect of our lives” (SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, JUST SAYIN’!)

Black and British by David Olusoga – A short, essential introduction to Black British history (the untold stories)

How to Argue with a Racist by Adam Rutherford – does what it says on the tin, I hope!

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai – the life of the brilliant activist but also about education, human rights, protection and freedom

Without Warning and Only Sometimes by Kit de Waal – another Birmingham author, about her life as a mixed woman and social aspects of where and how she grew up

Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman – The Case for a Universal Basic Income, Open Borders, and a 15-hour Workweek

This Is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters – “Our choices can help alleviate the most pressing issues we face today: the climate crisis, infectious and chronic diseases, human exploitation and, of course, non-human exploitation”

The War on the West by Douglas Murray – “asks: if the history of humankind is one of slavery, conquest, prejudice, genocide and exploitation, why are only Western nations taking the blame for it?” (This one offers a balance in perspectives, as it’s important to hear the views of others and test the beliefs you have…we’ll see…)

Different Not Less by Chloe Hayden – empowering lived-experience guide to celebrating and supporting neurodivergence

The Myth of Race by Robert W Sussman – the title alone says it all and that’s why it intrigued me!

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela – about South African apartheid, politics, racial segregation and the great story of a great man

As always, share your recommendations in the comments. Let’s understand one another so that we can unite against tyranny and live happier, more cohesive lives!

Sincerely,

S. xx