What’s your definition of a beach read?

For changemakers across Canada, a summer read ranges from economic theory to graphic novels to poetry to memoir — and beyond. 

We asked social impact leaders and the Future of Good team what all changemakers should add to their summer reading list, and why. Here’s what they told us:

 all about love: new visions by bell hooks

“I don’t agree with everything bell says, but I come back to passages over and over, throughout the decade since I first read this book. As people who are working towards a future of good, and after this year in particular, it is natural to be overwhelmed by the enormity of systemic change required. I stay grounded by taking it back to the basics, focusing on the relationships closest to me, and the values I know that many of us share. We all believe in love, don’t we? bell’s speaks about real love as antithetical to domination, and fear. Love is the liberating and transformational force that will carry us through.”

-Miranda Hassell, manager of network and public engagement at Community Foundations of Canada

Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory by David A. Robertson

“This book blends personal experience, information every Canadian should know about colonial practices and how they have impacted Indigenous Peoples, and a beautiful story of family. It felt so personal to read it due to my personal connection to the places and many of the people. However I believe it is the strength of the writing that would make most readers feel a personal connection to the story. It was a timely gift. Ekosani to David for sharing these words.”

-Julie Price, Manitoba program lead at MakeWay

Compendium for the Civic Economy 

“I love this book because, through all the pain and suffering, we have the power, creativity and tenacity to build solutions. This book tells 25 stories of how communities have come together to create a better street, town or system. Embodying the circular economy, community engagement and social innovation, The Compendium inspires the heck out of me every time I look… and it is beautiful and easy to read. Great for a Georgian Bay canoe trip!”

-Tonya Surman, CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation

Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva 

“Edgar’s lived experience provides a captivating backdrop for a critical conversation: how do we decolonize philanthropy – or any system that claims to benefit us that isn’t created by us? This book is a cathartic read for people who self-identify as the first or only person to represent their community in their place of work, and also any ally that’s looking for tangible examples of how systems themselves perpetuate long standing problems rooted in racism.”

-Jace Meyer, executive director of the Indigenous Innovation Institute

Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong 

“Intersectionality matters, but do we truly understand it? Has it just become a buzzword? Disability Visibility is an excellent read to learn from different leaders living with a disability and how it intersects with many of their identities. This read will truly challenge your ableism and invite you to learn from the wisdom of the writers.” 

-Sally Dimachki, manager of the Investment Readiness Program at the Canadian Women’s Foundation 

From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle

“This book is an incredible piece that connects the real-life experiences of Indigenous peoples with the human journey of self-love and perseverance. Jesse forwardly conveys a powerful example of hope and healing, not only to Indigenous folks but to anyone who struggles with addictions and life in general.”

-Alejandro Mayoral Baños, executive director of Indigenous Friends

Grassroots innovation: Minds on the margin are not marginal minds by Anil K. Gupta

“This book will completely flip your assumptions around what you think people need to find solutions to problems in their communities. As a person of privilege, you think you know what people need to solve problems, but you can’t match the ingenuity that lived experience brings. Gupta does a bang on job of driving this point home. The street is the lab.”

-Vinod Rajasekaran, publisher and CEO of Future of Good 

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell 

“On its face, this is a book about the ways in which the news cycle, digital attention economy, and demands of modern life tear us away from appreciating life. But just like the redwoods that feature so prominently in the book, How To Do Nothing goes much further — and deeper. It explores the idea of resisting distraction without ‘dropping out’ in the manner of 1960s counterculture communes – how to contemplate the world in its complexity without drowning in overwhelming immediacy. I’m still wrapping my head around its conclusions, but I found it enlightening. The social impact sector could, too.”

-Brennan Doherty, news and features writer at Future of Good 

Indigenomics by Carol Anne Hilton 

“I have long admired Carol Anne’s leadership and insights on modern Indigenous economics. Anyone interested in learning more about the intersection of economics, Indigenous business and leadership, and reconciliation should purchase a copy of her book.”

-Bonnie Foley-Wong, head of investment strategy at Equality Fund

Lead. Care. Win.: How to Become a Leader Who Matters by Dan Pontefract

“Mattering and belonging could not be more important now. Self reflection will help you as a leader and help the people around you to feel mattered by you.”

-Katherine Hay, CEO of Kids Help Phone

Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism by Mariana Mazzucato

“So many of the smartest and most thoughtful thinkers and policy wonks in my circles have started reading this book and I can see why. This is such a refreshing take on how we can address the greatest challenges of our time from income inequality to climate change to rising  hate speech. We can move the machinery of government from just managing issues to truly influencing and shaping our collective trajectories. More directing, less reacting. It’s no wonder that the author has been drafted as expert counsel for G7 leaders, global institutions and is even spearheading a unique academic department, the University College London (UCL) Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. As we as a society are on the cusp of building back better, now is the perfect moment to move away from the rampant incrementalism we’ve been accustomed to and truly move towards extraordinary and out of this world thinking.”

-Anjum Sultana, national director of public policy and strategic communication, YWCA Canada

Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity Through This Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade

“I’m halfway through this very readable but very thorough guide to mutual aid — its past, its present in the context of a year and half of crisis, and a field guide for engaging in this kind of activism in a thoughtful, sustainable way. The chapter on the distinction between charity and mutual aid is particularly fascinating. Dean Spade has really captured a key moment in the history of this long-standing form of solidarity and resistance.” 

-Kylie Adair, editor of Future of Good 

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

“Throughout, and coming out of the pandemic, we have been pulled in different directions – often – outside our comfort zones. Nedra Glover Tawwab’s book Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself is a must-read for changemakers. The burnout factor is very real for many of us in the social impact sector as we face new models and constraints in creating impact. The book speaks to the importance of how we create and uphold healthy boundaries in order to build strong personal and professional relationships and bring our best selves to our work.”

-Farah Kurji, senior manager of philanthropy at TD Bank Group

She’s Strong, But She’s Tired by r.h. Sin

“An ode to the women who have chosen to fight for themselves.”

-Bonnie Foley-Wong, head of investment strategy at Equality Fund

Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered by E.F. Schumacher

“I read this book early on in my career and it helped me put into words the many ideas I was struggling to contextualize. Despite it being written in the 1970’s, it reads as it was written today and has valuable insights into why the economics of our society would greatly benefit from prioritizing people and planet over profits.”

-Allison Gibson, food innovation program manager at Spring

Systems Thinking for Social Change: A Practical Guide to Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results by David Peter Stroh

“Over the past several months many conversations we’ve had with our community and public systems partners has forced me to recognize that you can’t have systems change without an intentional approach to change management. I’m not sure if others feel this way, but I find myself enamoured by the idea of systems change – big changes that transform communities and institutions. But, the world of uncertainty and the risk surrounding big changes forces us to pause and find more methodical approaches to ensure every stakeholder can see themselves in the process of the changes communities desire. A highly recommended book for those looking at ways to integrate practical change management processes into their social innovation work.”

-Doug Pawson, executive director of  End Homelessness St. John’s 

Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy from the Ground Up by Dave Meslin

“Dave Meslin has written a book that is not only insightful but compassionate, funny, and instructive. Working in the democracy space, it can be difficult to know where to start and where our energy can be most impactful. This book provides a framework and is a great call to action that reminds us of how simple design changes can build better processes and support the broad participation we require to have a strong and effective democracy. Cannot recommend enough for anyone interested in making change and building a more equitable and inclusive society.”

-Sam Reusch, executive director of Apathy is Boring 

The Courage to Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi

“The title is self-explanatory. Working in partnerships, I often feel the people-pleaser in me come out, but the courage to be disliked seriously guided me through concepts of self-care and the courage to reach beyond what you see as limitations — ultimately liberating how you see (and can reach) happiness in your life. It weaves in modern Japanese philosophy and psychology, and the dialogue is between a young man and a philosopher which gives really refreshing perspectives from two points of view.”

-Thi Dao, content partnerships specialist at Future of Good 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

“A novel that explores multigenerational women and how they overcame, from the depression to today.”

-Katherine Hay, CEO of Kids Help Phone

The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole

“This is one of the only books I have ever read that gives a in depth, well analyzed lay out of inequity and racism in Canada. Paired with Robyn Maynard’s Policing Black Lives, these two books are essential reading for everyone on this land. Put down White Fragility, pick this up!”

-Sharon Nyangweso, founder of QuakeLab

This Place: 150 Years Retold

“A visually engrossing graphic anthology of 10 different Indigenous narratives profiling resistance and renewal in the face of Canadian colonialism. It’s technically a YA book, and thus makes a great family reading project. Yet even as an adult, I found myself eager to pick it up, and spend some time with each story, reflecting on what I knew, what I learned, and what I could keep learning regarding the history of this country — a commitment we can make more time for. This book, with its 21 contributors, is also a great way to encounter many contemporary Indigenous storytellers and illustrators who should be on your radar.”

-Jane Hilderman, executive director of Climate West 

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