As we move into the winter break, we like to recommend that you put down the phone, cozy up with a hot chocolate and a warm blanket, and grab a book off your read pile.

If you don’t have a read pile, we have some suggestions for you, from our own reporters and social purpose leaders. 

We asked people: What book moved you this year? Here are their answers.

1) The Message, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

In The Message, Coates embarks on a profound journey to three significant sites Dakar, Senegal; Chapin, South Carolina; and the West Bank and East Jerusalem in Palestine—to explore how narratives shape our understanding of conflict and identity. 

His reflections offer a compelling examination of the parallels between different forms of systemic oppression.

I found this book impactful as it challenges readers to confront the complexities of historical and contemporary injustices. Coates’ insightful analysis encourages a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of global struggles for justice.

The Message serves as an essential read, prompting critical reflection on the power of storytelling in shaping societal perceptions and the importance of advocating for equity across all communities.

-Narinder Dhami, Dark Matter Labs

2) Who We Are: Four Questions For a Life and a Nation, by Murray Sinclair

I’m currently reading (and loving) the Honourable Murray Sinclair’s memoir, Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation. I started it just prior to his passing, and when I heard the news I shed a few tears.  

I’ve never had the opportunity to meet the Senator, but the memoir is unique in that it is an oral history of his life, and in that way, I felt I was listening to an old friend.  

It’s no surprise the memories he shares about his life are thoughtful, emotional, and, at times, poignant. But beyond his love, humour and compassion for others, his reflections and wisdom are for all of us to share and be grateful for the sharing. (I understand that he narrated the audiobook, which makes me want to get that as well.)

-Sharon Avery, president and CEO, Toronto Foundation 

3) Let us Dream: The path to a better future, by Pope Francis

Changemakers are, by definition, people of faith! Not necessarily religious or spiritual faith, but hope in a better future, certainly. Many of us also come from a religious background somewhere in our family or community, and often, we wrestle with the positive and negative heritage of these historic institutions.  

Pope Francis may not be with us all for very much longer, and his legacy of radical inclusion and personal poverty is already something to consider.  

How could the Catholic Church’s $1.75 trillion in long-term invested assets be deployed for impact-first change? How is the work of justice among Indigenous and other often-excluded communities undertaken at an investment level?  

In this short book, those of a Christian or Catholic faith may find glimmers of hope.  Those of other faiths may learn an interesting perspective. Plus, reading this may equip you for fiery after-dinner conversations with your grandmother!  

-Graham Singh, Relèven Founder and CEO

4) Co-Intelligence: The Surprising Power of Combining Human and Artificial Intelligence, by Ethan Mollick

My book recommendation would be Co-Intelligence: The Surprising Power of Combining Human and Artificial Intelligence by Ethan Mollick. It was balanced, insightful, and a remarkable read. Most of my reading right now is focused on AI & social impact, with a deep focus on AI ethics and responsible adoption. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

-Victor Beausoleil, Executive Director, SETSI Social Economy Through Social Inclusion

5) Kinauvit? What’s Your Name, by Norma Dunning

I listened to this memoir in audiobook form and highly recommend it to better understand the modern-day implications of colonialism in Canada’s northern communities. 

The book follows Dr Dunning’s own experience of unpacking her family history and trying to find ‘proof’ of her and her children’s Inuit identity, as per the Canadian government’s stipulations. What unfolds is a story of how the government identified, categorized, and eventually separated Inuit communities through a disc number system—in other words, a dehumanizing and imperialist data collection process. 

-Sharlene Gandhi, reporter, data, technology and social purpose

6) Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t, by Jim Collins

This is my all-time gifted book that I give to anyone looking at strategy, organizational development or just great leadership. 

It’s a business classic that also has extras for the social impact world. It clearly lays out how to focus on your people first, then focus on the elements that you can truly be great at compared to others, and how to build a culture that will allow that greatness to stand the test of time. 

It’s a great read for leaders, managers and anyone who wants to be able to find everlasting greatness and not simply settle for mediocrity. I personally have talked about the ‘Hedgehog’ Concept and the ‘Stockdale Paradox’ more times than I can count. 

-Christian Robillard, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Farm Radio International

7) Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Known for his work at Eleven Madison Park and as a co-host on The Big Brunch. In this book, Guidara shares stories from high-end restaurants, exploring how true hospitality strengthens relationships with customers and employees. 

It inspired me to rethink what “meaningful” means in gift-giving and reconsider my approach to co-creation through doing active listening differently. Check out my blog for more insights on this book, or enjoy a peaceful winter read with Unreasonable Hospitality.

-Jessica Pang-Parks

8) Gate of the Sun, by Elias Khoury

One of my favourite novels that I read in Arabic is Gate of the Sun, by the late Lebanese novelist Elias Khoury. This winter break, I look forward to reading it again, in English. 

I am reading it now for two reasons. The first one is to pay tribute to the writer since he just recently passed away. The second one is the current war in Gaza. 

This novel is a historical chronicle of Palestinian refugee experiences as narrated by a doctor to a patient in a coma. It is an excellent read, not light, but clerical, rich in imagery and strong characters. 

-Jehad Y. Aliweiw,  Executive Director, Laidlaw Foundation

9) Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes Remarkable Results, by James Clear

I’ve quit implementing the advice in Atomic Habits more times than I can count, but I still recommend it as my top book for changemakers out of the 100 or so I’ve worked through during the pandemic. Six years after its release, Atomic Habits still tops Amazon’s list of most-read nonfiction books, proof that I’m not the only one drawn back to its pages to gamble on another round of habit change. 

For changemakers, the book’s core reminder is that meaningful personal and social change is a long-term endeavour. Progress often feels slow or invisible, but it builds quietly through small actions, leading to compounding results that may not emerge until years later. For all its focus on achieving more, its value for me has been in creating habits that prioritize achievement with balance. In a sector where burnout is high, some of its most valuable advice lies in the reminder that our habits are with us for the long term. 

To sustain meaningful progress, we must create habits that support us in working in ways that are sustainable for our long-term health—because burnout is the quickest way to derail compounding results. 

Many proven strategies can improve well-being (like mindfulness, gratitude, job crafting, strengths-based interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy, exercise, improving diet, and many more), but nearly all of them require consistent, sustained habits to be effective over time.

Ultimately, Atomic Habits serves as a powerful reminder that small, intentional changes can lay the foundation for both personal well-being and the lasting impact we strive to create in the world.

-Steven Ayer, President, Common Good Strategies

10) Still Standing, by Cherry Rose Tan

Her book Still Standing is a must-read for every startup founder and every entrepreneur. It presents her story and the challenges, perseverance, and resilience every entrepreneur needs to face. What she had to face was surreal and beyond comprehension. But, she has gone on to help thousands of entrepreneurs find their focus and their purpose to guide them. This is my favourite book this year.

-Chris Greenfield, Managing Director, OneEleven 

11) What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures” by Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson

Everyone with eyes would benefit from “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures” by oceanographer and podcast host Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson. The book includes her trenchant interviews with a number of good minds activists on what needs to stop, what needs to happen where, how the world can come back to life, and what we can all do to help get there.

-Vincent Stanley, Patagonia, In-house Philosopher 

12) Fieldnotes in stillness & motion, by Jilly Frances

(My recommendation is) a poetry book authored by Jilly Frances, an artist and poet from Toronto, who I happen to be married to. Of course, I’m biased, but Jilly’s Fieldnotes is a very accessible book of poems about everyday life. These are poems from paying attention. She finds beauty in the mundane. Sometimes we all need that reminder.

-Jory Cohen, Director of Finance and Impact Investment, Inspirit Foundation

13) On the Savage Side, by Tiffany McDaniel

On the Savage Side is dedicated to the six victims of Chillicothe, a small Ohio town where women went missing, or their bodies were found near the river in 2014. Women whose deaths were not thoroughly investigated because they were seen only as drug addicts and sex workers.

Tiffany McDaniel pays tribute to them through characters inspired by their lives. These women were once little girls who had dreams and were surrounded by people who loved them.

We see the ups and downs of twin sisters Arcade and Daffodil, with their grandmother, Granny Milkweed, constantly bringing them back to the luminous side of things. Arcade, Daffodil, and their friends and family try to get by, experiencing moments of hope and sisterhood. But fate catches them up one after another.

What struck and moved me is how the author exposes that the roots of today’s headline-grabbing crises go back much further than we think. We see the opioid crisis and the housing crisis in the making, with these women as the first wave of collateral victims.

– Diane Bérard, reporter, social finance and impact investing for an equitable future

14) Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste is a book that will change and elevate the way you think about racism, specifically as it has historically shown up in the USA. If you can’t read the book yet, listen to this On Being podcast on which Ms. Wilkerson talks about her work. This is what made me purchase the book. 

Some critics have deemed it one of the most powerful nonfiction books of our century. 

The author reframes racism as a phenomenon that is much more closely akin to a ‘caste’ system, an analytical approach that goes beyond skin colour, and delves into the deeply entrenched hierarchies that have shaped societies. Wilkerson’s insights are profound and thought-provoking, offering a new lens through which to understand systemic inequality.

-Aline Nizigama, CEO, YWCA Canada

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