This summer, we’re sharing a selection of books that have sparked discussion, inspired new perspectives, and kept our minds engaged—from critical takes on technology and governance to page-turning fiction perfect for the beach. See you in the fall with more news and updates.
Recommended by Gordon Ross
The AI Con
Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna
An incisive critique of the myths surrounding artificial intelligence, revealing how automated systems often reinforce inequality under the guise of innovation. It’s funny, well argued, and pulls no punches about the current state of AI.
Imagination: A Manifesto
Ruha Benjamin
An inspired call to reclaim the future from entrenched systems of racial injustice, asking what becomes possible when imagination is used as a tool for collective liberation. How do we re-engage with imagination in these fight-or-flight times?
Underground Empire
Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman
A page-turner of how control over financial and digital infrastructure has become a lever of global influence, with unexpected ripple effects across borders. Also, subscribe to Farrell’s substack, Programmable Mutter, it’s a must-read personal fave.
Breaking Free of Neoliberalism: Canada’s Challenge
Alex Himelfarb
A sharp and coherent analysis of how neoliberal ideology reshaped Canadian governance and public life, making a persuasive case for reclaiming shared purpose and collective agency. I felt like this did a great job situating my experience of Canadian politics of the last 30 years into perspective.
The Last Human Job
Allison J. Pugh
A meditation on care, empathy, and what machines can’t do, told through the lens of professions often overlooked in debates about the future of work. I’m feeling the strong Hochschild vibes with this work (no coincidence as Hochschild was Pugh’s doctoral advisor).
The Ordinal Society
Kieran Healy and Marion Fourcade
An exploration of how ranking, rating, and scoring now shape our social world, with far-reaching consequences for identity, agency, and institutional power. Strong echoes of Sorting Things Out: Classification and its Consequences by my favourites, Bowker and Star.
The Cult of Efficiency
Janice Gross Stein
This Canadian classic questions our obsession with doing more with less, tracing how the language of efficiency reshaped public institutions and democratic expectations. Nearly 25 years since this one came out, and I find it’s still so clear and succinct on one of bureaucracy’s favourite words.
Technology Ethics
Steven Umbrello
A practical framework for making sense of emerging technologies, offering ways to think critically about their design, deployment, and social impact. I’ve added this to my “how to think in more productive ways about technology” collection.
The Explorer’s Gene
Alex Hutchison
An exploration (hah) into the science of curiosity and risk-taking, drawing connections between personality, discovery, and the drive to venture into the unknown. I got to meet Alex Hutchison recently in Vancouver, long-time fan of his human endurance / athletic performance based writing in Outside and The Globe and Mail, and his previous book Endure.
Recommended by Sara Redpath
Abundance
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
This is an optimistic exploration of how we can use existing resources to solve our biggest problems. I find their approach refreshing—focusing on creating a more prosperous future for everyone rather than dwelling on limitations.
Garlic and Sapphires
Ruth Reichl
Great beach read: Reading about Reichl’s adventures as New York Times restaurant critic transported me to New York City in the 90s, offering a glimpse into the restaurants and personalities of the era and the profound connections between food, identity, and personal experience.
Every Summer After and This Summer Will Be Different
Carley Fortune
Great beach reads: A blend of romance, nostalgia, and emotional depth. I think Carley Fortune excels at creating a strong sense of place, brimming with Canadiana and relatable characters. I think these are excellent beach reads!
Recommended by Leon Hui
Good Services: How to Design Services That Work
Lou Downe
The book provides a clear set of principles to design services by. The fifteen principles serve as good guidelines to remind ourselves of when designing for public services, and some of the pitfalls to be avoided.
Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design
Kat Holmes
Kat Holmes provides great examples of how inclusivity as a core part of the design process enhances and improves user experience of products and services, and prevents major flaws and gaps being missed. Important reminders in the decisions we make daily as designers.
Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You
Ali Abdaal
I’ve been reading this book bit by bit at parks and coffee shops, and it helps with gaining some perspective on work/life balance, and finding joy or fulfillment in work. Ali Abdaal’s YouTube channel has been a source of motivation and inspiration, so it’s nice to get a peek into his mind and the evolution of his approaches along his journey from doctor to YouTuber to entrepreneur (and more recently, father).
Light Bringer
Pierce Brown
The sixth Red Rising book—full space opera with interstellar maps and a large ensemble developed over the series. Started with the audiobook but the intricate plot lines made me grab the paperback for a reread. Think Hunger Games meets Dune with Greek mythology. Would love to see it adapted to screen at the hands of a team that can do the stories and characters justice.
Recommended by Dave Kachman
The Three-Body Problem trilogy
Liu Cixin
The Three-Body Problem and its sequel, Dark Forest, are a fascinating look at how humanity might respond upon discovering not only that aliens exist, but are coming to take our planet in several hundred years. A look at the social, technological, and psychological impacts of that realization that I found endlessly interesting.
Recommended by Dominik Szopa
Why Nations Fail
Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson
I’ve been fascinated by how different the lives of nations I’ve visited are, so I started reading this book. The authors won the 2024 Nobel Economics Prize for theories that have proven largely true since publication in 2012.
They argue that inclusive political and economic systems—where most people can contribute and benefit—plus a strong central government are necessary for prosperity.
Recommended by Jane Mountain
Stuck? Diagrams Help.
Abby Covert
As a long-time UXer and organization nerd, anybody writing passionately about information architecture and diagrams is going to catch my attention. Abby Covert does a great job of making sensemaking a fun, approachable, anyone-can-do-it activity.
Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey That Changed My Life
Noraly Schoenmaker
My idea of heaven is an open road. No deadlines, nowhere in particular to be, no need to rush. I’ve no doubt Noraly “Itchy Boots” Schoenmaker shares that vision. In Free Ride, the YouTuber goes behind the scenes of her first 20,000-mile motorbike journey. If I can’t be out there on my own adventures, reading this book is the next best thing.