Welcome to the latest edition of Rally Reads. We’re really excited about this one.
If you need a catch up on the concept, Rally Reads is a series of blog posts where we ask the people who’ve left their mark on us to share the books, documentaries, articles or films that have had the biggest impact on their careers and their thinking. And to explain why.
This edition features Yasmin Georgiou, a legend in charity digital circles and someone we were delighted to get to know better when we introduced her to Refuge when they needed her skills to organise a new website project.
Yasmin leads strategy at the agency William Joseph. Yasmin is also one of the co-founders and hosts of Charity Book Club which has the aim of encouraging people to ‘think big and think differently’. She’s also often found running after a small toddler with snacks across a Cornish beach.
Her choices are fabulous and inspirational. Over to Yasmin’s selection.
INSPIRING ACTION
The Art of Disruption: A Manifesto for Real Change by Magid Magid
“Kindness is bold, brave and politically radical: in both small gestures and wider structural policies, it has the power to change someone’s life - and to change the world.”
Magid’s 10 point manifesto on how to shake shit up is an excellent, accessible and easy-to-digest starting point for anyone wanting to understand how their small differences can make a huge impact. We were lucky to host an author Q&A with Magid for Charity Book Club and his inspiring stories and anecdotes made us see how his approach is translatable for the everyday, as well as global issues - from effective team work to increasing representation in climate change activism.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
When my daughter was born, a friend gifted me We Should All Be Feminists which I read in the newborn haze and felt immediately grounded and inspired to raise a strong, powerful feminist - and to continue to aspire to be one myself.
RACE, IDENTITY AND BELONGING
Not Quite White by Laila Woozeer
Laila’s writing is beautiful; they take you on a story of growing up, identity and culture clashes, and the power and trepidation of exploring your own path. I also love this book because my parents are from Mauritius - just like Laila’s dad - and there are not enough books written about second generation immigrants navigating a diasporan identity; being Mauritian is completely different to being from Pakistan or India, but yet we are often lumped together as one homogenous South Asian immigrant group. Laila’s contribution to this is brilliant and hopefully it’ll inspire more writers to come forward.
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
I oscillate between declaring this my favourite book or Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushie. I love how they both blend colonial and post-colonial Indian narratives, forcing you to see politics in the everyday. Set in post-partition India, we explore how the changing political and social climate - and the brutality and scars of imperialism - affect each person, regardless of their age and social position.
My Name is Why by Lemn Sissay
Sissay’s memoir takes us through the story of finding who he is, piecing together his care records and notes to understand the decisions that were made on his behalf that determined the course of his childhood. Exploring themes of race, growing up, identity and friendship, he shines a light on the care system and children who were often forgotten within it. We were lucky enough to have Lemn gatecrash our event where we discussed his book - he shared some inspiring words with us about the power of book clubs for community and continuing to encourage people to read more and share with each other.
MIGRATION AND REFUGEES
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Timely and important reading for the current political landscape we’re in. Lefteri’s novel is based on true stories from people she met whilst volunteering at a refugee centre in Athens. It’s a heart-breaking, raw and challenging book that touches on migration, war, grief, love and mental health. Bringing to life the journey of fleeing conflict and embarking on a small boat crossing, Lefteri captures each moment of struggle and humanity. One of the questions we ask members each time we read a book is: “Who would you prescribe this book to?” - and I’d love to send Suella and Rishi a copy.
MOTHERHOOD
(M)otherhood: on the choices of being a woman by Dr Pragya Agarwal & I Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice Brathwaite
Becoming a mum has been one of the most pivotal, humbling and unpredictable experiences of my life. However, I found it frustrating that parenting books and feeds were overwhelmingly white, and didn’t chime with my reality of being a person of colour bringing up a mixed race child. I found two game-changers within all of this: Dr Pragya Agarwal and Candice Brathwaite. They both talk about representation, rights and the experiences of being a woman of colour. Agarwal’s academic rigour forces you to think differently about visions of motherhood and Brathwaite’s straight talking (and straight from the heart) dialogue brings to life the work of the inimitable FivexMore campaign.
FOR WOKE KIDS
Anti Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
10 steps to being anti-racist, which adults could do with following too.
Change Sings by Amanda Gorman
From the poet who performed at Biden’s inauguration, this is a melodic, relatable anthem on how to be a good person through the everyday small things that make a big difference.
Bodies are Cool by by Tyler Feder
Body positivity, race, gender, difference and identity - and with some cracking illustrations too.
The Blue Giant by Katie Cottle
Environmental awareness via a giant made of the sea who shows us how much plastic there is in the ocean and asks for help.
2023 READING LIST
Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch
Tribes - David Lammy
Brown Baby - Nikesh Shukla
Consumed - Aja Barber
What a list. And to be honest with you, we’d like to send a copy of The Beekeeper of Aleppo to Suella and Rishi as well.*
* This asterisk is to tell you that Rishi was UK Prime Minister and Suella Home Secretary at the time of writing. Because hopefully at the time of reading for some of you, you won’t know who they are as they will have been ejected from office.