Rachel Marshall reflects on the Un-named Bookclub and invites you to read along in 2025
Despite having been meeting for almost two years ‘The Un-named Bookclub’ remains nameless. Probably our favourite potential name has been ‘The Crack Collective’ inspired by one of the first books we read called ‘Crack Capitalism’ by John Holloway. This book argues that radical change is only possible through the creation of multiple cracks in the capitalist system. These cracks are ordinary moments or spaces of rebellion in which we create a different way of being or doing.
Capitalism and the society created by it has been a common theme in many of the books and podcasts covered in the bookclub. From ‘Cannibal Capitalism’ by Nancy Fraser which sets out how capitalism destroys (or cannibalises) the very things it needs to survive to Jason Hickel’s ‘Less is More’ which explores how capitalism’s relentless need for growth has driven ecological destruction and social inequality for centuries.
As well as exploring why we’ve ended up with an industrial society which finds it easier to imagine the end of the world rather than the end of capitalism – we’ve also enjoyed books which have inspired us to organise and create something different. This has included ‘Emergent Strategy’ by Adrienne Maree Brown which invites readers to embrace change and learn from other emergent systems to build movements and activism. Adrienne was hugely inspired by Grace Lee Boggs whose book ‘The Next American Revolution’ offers ways by which hope might grow out of the current political, economic, and environmental crisis.
One book that really had an impact on all of us was ‘Sand Talk’ by Tyson Yunkaporta. This book looks at global cultures and systems from an indigenous way of thinking. The value of the book comes from the sharing of different ways of thinking, rather than different ways of ‘doing’. Tyson encourages readers to explore how indigenous ways of thinking can allow anyone to create their own way of living sustainably within the world and with the people around them.
Some of the books we’ve read have been fairly academic (‘Mutual Aid by Peter Kropotkin definitely took some reading) whilst others have been very accessible. Some books have raised a real difference of opinion – these have led to great conversations and learning about how different perspectives emerge.
The book list for next year is already growing with ‘Saving Time’ by Jenny Odell lined up for January and ‘The Serviceberry’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer for March. Every other month we listen to a podcast instead.
If you’re interested in joining the bookclub in 2025, we meet on the last Tuesday of the month in the Gregson Olive Bar from 7.30 onwards.
If you’d like to join the email list to be kept up to date with the book choices please contact Rachel (rachel_CL@lessuk.org).
The full list of books that have been read since the bookclub was set up can be found here: bit.ly/un-namedbookclublist. There are also copies available to borrow from the LESS library at the Storey.
