Every summer I share some of the best books I’ve read (or that are on my reading list). This year, I am sharing a list that is a bit different, one based on concepts/ ideas that are relevant, to understand, rather than recency of publication.

Here goes:

Welfare: book – Arguments for Welfare. Paul Spicker: I read this book years ago, when it was published. At a time when social spending on programs is the trend, globally, books such as this shine a light on why welfare spending is so crucial to maintaining and promoting welfare. With ever increasing role of tech and AI in our lives, there will be a greater need for some social security nets for those who are displaced in their jobs. Highly recommend this book.

Israel : Ten Myths about Israel by Prof. Ilan Pappe : This one will educate you, challenge you and inform you, especially if you are coming from the perspective that Israel is the only “democracy” in the Middle East. This is an easy read, yet packed with details. The other important myth is that “Zionism is Judaism,” one that is conflated in our media all the time. This has very serious consequences for all of us, whether we are interested in the region or not.  Here’s a video interview of Prof. Ilan Pappe.

Genocide: The Bridge Betrayed, Michael Sells: I finished this book a few weeks ago and deals with the Bosnian genocide. The key argument is how Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina were constructed as the “other,” through discourses of them being the  “Christ Killers.”  Sells offers a compelling narrative of how this phenomenon took place, the indifference of Western powers and the actual implementation of the genocide. Depressing but essential reading.

Land of opportunity: California, Kevin Starr: A fantastic book that is a must read about California. I read this a while ago, but do keep going back to it, and read a few pages, when I want to learn something specific about the Golden State. Here’s a presentation he made a while ago.

Basic Income: Why we need a citizens Basic Income, Malcolm Torry : This one is on my reading list. However, the arguments for basic income are quite compelling from a societal good perspective.

Deportations and ICE: We built the Wall, Eileen Truax : This is also on my reading list and I hope to get to it this summer. With increasing aggressiveness ICE is becoming the most hated agency in the US, and perhaps for good reason. Here’s a link to the book.

Racism: The Message, Ta Nahesi Coates: A fast, compelling book that tackles some very serious issues including racism, colonialism (in Palestine) and more. A must read, given the times we live in.  I read this book in two sittings a few months ago. A fantastic and urgent book.

Gaza/ Palestine: There is an entire genre of books about Palestine that has come to prominence, given the ongoing genocide. I recommend a book of poetry by Musab Abu Toha. Of course, you can read anything by Norman Finkelstein, Rashid Khalidi or Ilan Pappe. I don’t have one book on this issue, as the issues are so vastly difficult and intertwined. A Verso list of books on Palestine is here.

Parenting: The Power of Showing up, Dan Siegel & Tina Bryson : My SIL gave this to me, as a gift and it is a good read. As a young dad, I am figuring out how to “show up” for my little son. And this book is certainly a good start!!

Blockchain : Blockchain Revolution, Dan & Alex Tapscott. This is one of the first books I am currently reading on the technology that is likely to revolutionize how we pay, conduct our business and potentially even live. No exaggeration. Give it a read. They also have a course on Coursera. Worth a look!