Please post your suggestions here. We should 'get cracking' and have a selection by next week if possible! Thanks, everybody! Our meetings are a real pleasure.
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A list from John:
While you are adding the the forum Sue, here are the three books that Emily Pinckney recommended to me as "starter" books for white middleclass oriented folks to start with in terms of becoming more inclusive:
by Robin DiAngelo (Beacon Press, 2018).
– America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing”. by Joy DeGruy
The Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places: African Americans Making Nature and the Environment a Part of Their Everyday Lives (Watchable Wildlife (Adventure Publications)) Paperback – July 15, 2006
jd
The Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places is out of print and costs lots to purchase on the used book market. I've asked for the book on inter-library loan; once I have it, happy to share with others who want to see it. According to Emily Pinckney it is on the lighthearted and upbeat side - so probably an enjoyable book.
Some suggestions from Chuck:
Hi gang -- great discussion yesterday.............as to next month,
here are my thoughts:
1. Doughnut Economics, by Oxford econ professor Kate Raworth,
as suggested by Barbara. I like Barbara's idea of exploring other
economic models vs. capitalism............and this book deals with
that altho not directly. I got my copy several months ago, and I haven't
gotten into it, but looking at it again last night, would suggest that
she is making a solid suggestion.
2. Viking Economics by Geo Lakey. A look at the entire culture
and economy of the five Nordic nations, with emphasis on Norway
and Iceland. They have what they call a "friendly capitalisic" system
and the League of Women Voters book club featured this text in a
recent book club. However, the economics of the countries is not
highlighted, rather the social safety net is the focus. Good text,
however. Since I am Danish, I took a special interest.
3. Good Economics for Hard Times, by Beanerjee and Dufto. A
book that I have on order, expect any day...........will followup with
a review later when rec'd.
4. Modern Monetary Theory by Stephanie Kelton. A "heavy"
treatment of economics, I don't have the book yet.
In light of some recent informal conversations regarding whether our present economic system is capable of addressing climate change, I like to put forward Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate. Here's a review excerpt: "This is the best book about climate change in a very long time—in large part because it's about much more. It sets the most important crisis in human history in the context of our other ongoing traumas, reminding us just how much the powers-that-be depend on the power of coal, gas and oil. And that in turn should give us hope, because it means the fight for a just world is the same as the fight for a livable one." -- Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and co-founder of 350.org
Hear, hear, John!!
I would like to read this book; it looks excellent. And right on topic. But I’m wondering if the 2014 publication date is a cause for concern.
Hard for me to say if the 2014 publication date is a cause for concern or not - I think that perhaps her critique of our economic system vs. climate might be applicable over some length of time - one thought: I want to read the Klein book in any case. I could read it and make a recommendation for our December book selection. In the meantime we can look for an October book?
I'm a couple chapters into the book, a lengthy book, so early on. In regard to the 2014 publication date, the book is somewhat dated, but in a sense, that's a good thing. For instance it puts in clear relief how much is to be done and how little we've done to get there. Also shows that many of the arguments we make these days were being made 10 years ago too. I think her challenge as to whether or not our present economic system is capable of moving toward a non-extractive, non-polluting economy is just as valid today as it was in 2014. My key question as I continue to read would be: what is the nature of the new economy, and how do we get there? And of course, are there alternatives if we don't get there.
Jason has offered to put together a pdf of articles from The Economist magazine about economic topics related to climate. But since it will take some time to get his digital access established, he suggests that we not use them for the November meeting.
Thank you Jason!
Let's not forget that there are several great-sounding books from Barb's original list that we can draw from. Including that novel, Weather, by Offill.
Along the lines of racial justice awareness, you can't beat Between the World and Me (a letter to his teenage son about being Black in America) by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It's excellent. 2016, 176 pp., easily available.