A summer reading list for public servants: 2022

Don’t you just love that new book smell? The hotly anticipated 2022 summer reading list for public servants is here.

As always, we start with our annual disclaimer: Apolitical is a global community, so for many of you summer lands at a different time of the year. But regardless of whether you’re at the beach or by the fireplace, these reads will weave some inspiration into your next few months.

You’ll find books that dive into the psychology of stubborn autocrats, provide snapshots of prehistoric landscapes, investigate the origins of the pandemic, and tell gripping stories about government. We’ve added favourites from the Apolitical team and recommendations from our global community — from bestsellers to hidden gems. Happy reading!

Public servant themed books 🏛

_Novels and non-fiction reads with a government flavour. _

The Marshall plan (2021)

Benn Steil, US/UK, Buy

“This is a great story covering the development and implementation of the Marshall Plan following World War II. I think it's a great reminder that bold, ambitious public works projects can change the world!” — Dennis Deery

The ministry for the future (2021)

Kim Stanley Robinson, US, Buy

“I picked up this book upon a review which described it as a positive post-apocalyptic novel, in the sense that real solutions to today's problems of climate change and broken political and economic systems are introduced. It did not disappoint. One point: readers beware of the first couple of chapters. They are emotionally HEAVY. Keep reading. It's worth it.” — Jennifer Grange

Jailbird (1979)

Kurt Vonnegut, USA, Buy

A young fan once summarised Vonnegut’s writing by saying that “love may fail, but courtesy will always prevail”. Jailbird charts the gradual disillusionment of a Harvard-educated public servant from the F.D. Roosevelt era through to Watergate and beyond. It shines a warm, ironic light on ethics in government.

The premonition: A pandemic story (2021)

*Michael Lewis, USA, Buy *

Michael Lewis, author of _The Big Short _and Moneyball, has a knack for translating uber-complex historical events into compelling narrative non-fiction. The Premonition is no exception. It follows the story of a group of pandemic-focused scientists who tracked Covid-19 from discovery to global pandemic.

A city is not a computer: Other urban intelligences (2021)

Shannon Mattern, US, Buy

“Shannon brings the right human sentiment in the civic design or city design because only the right intersection of citizens-centric policy-making, technology, and research can strengthen the nervous system of the city.”— Vinish Garg

Doodem and council fire: Anishinaabe governance through alliance (2021)

Prof. Heidi Bohaker, Canada, Buy

“To learn about a unique model of governance, traditionally practised by the Anishinaabe, and to increase their awareness of Indigenous history (especially for public servants in the North American Great Lakes region). It's very well-written and well-researched!”— Allison

The social distance between us: How remote politics wrecked Britain (2022)

Darren McGarvey, a.k.a. Loki, UK, Buy

Working-class rapper and activist, Darren McGarvey, asks the important question: why are people with very limited experience of social inequality charged with finding solutions to it?

After the inquiry (2021)

Jolene Tan, Singapore, Buy

A middle-aged civil servant is dispatched to investigate a game of Russian roulette gone wrong. To hunt for the truth, he must enter deep into the mirror maze of Singaporean bureaucracy.

Fiction to escape to 🪟

It has been a tough year, again. Here are some reads to whisk you away from the world and to bring you back wiser.

The island of missing trees (2021)

Elif Shafak, Turkey, Buy

“What do those of us who are immigrants do with our yesterdays?”. Elif Shafak follows the forbidden love of a Greek Christain and a Turkish Muslim in Cyprus. To be together, they move to England, which carries a new raft of challenges and triumphs.

What strange paradise (2021)

Omar El Akkad, Eygpt/Canada, Buy

“This is a beautifully written literary novel that gifts the reader a tender story told through the eyes of a child protagonist. At the same time, the novel weaves sharply observed, subtly rendered, political commentary on wider refugee crises and the experiences of migrant peoples fleeing violence, poverty, and persecution. It is especially poignant given the war in Ukraine, forcing necessary reflections about the ways the world responds to different humanitarian crises.” — Recommended by an avid reader and advocate for Canadian literature

Piranesi (2020)

Susanna Clarke, UK, Buy

Pirensi lives in “the house”, a fantastic maze which exists in between worlds. Through rigorous experimentation, he begins to uncover its dark secrets and why he is there in the first place. Pure escapism.

Autumn of the patriarch (1975)

*Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Colombia, Buy *

A paranoid, violent autocrat is dedicated to his own self-preservation (sound familiar?). Márquez wrote this novel whilst living in Franco’s Spain. It explores the rotting and corruption of a mind that has tasted absolute power for too long.

Drive your plow over the bones of the dead (2009)

*Olga Tokarczuk, Poland, Buy *

The title suggests a bleak, wintery read but don’t be misled. This novel is a vegan murder-mystery set in rural Poland. It contains an eccentric recluse, William Blake, astrology, and the spirited struggle of an individual against an immovable bureaucracy.

Non-fiction to grow your brain 🧠

Incisive reads to keep your government-thinking sharp and well-informed.

Unreconciled: Family, truth, and indigenous resistance (2021)

Jesse Wente, Canada, Buy

“This should be required reading for all Canadians. Jesse explores the concept of reconciliation through his own lived experiences and provides commentary on the history of what we now call Canada. He also lists some calls-to-action that we must take to pursue true reconciliation and relationship building.” — Kaitlyn

Otherlands (2022)

Dr Thomas Halliday, UK, Buy

This book is actually a time machine. Through a series of cinematic vignettes, Halliday takes you on a historical journey through Earth’s ecosystems to help you see the world around you today with dazzling clarity.

Atlas of the heart (2021)

Dr Brené Brown, US, Buy

“Having the language to describe feelings will not only help public servants in understanding and supporting their own health, but it will help them connect with the individuals they serve through their work.” — Elizabeth R

The five dysfunctions of a team (2002)

Patrick Lencioni, US, Buy

“You lead a team, you're on a team, or you serve a team. If the team doesn't work well, nothing works well and everyone's miserable. This book is easy to read, understand, and implement without pandering.”— Lisa S. Indianapolis

The comfort book (2021)

Matt Haig, UK, Buy

“The last two years have been really tough and in a post-pandemic world, mental health is more important than ever. I found this book was full of wonderful reminders to take it easy on yourself and take a second to reflect” — Alia Beg, HR Program Consultant, Ontario Public Service

A really short history of nearly everything (2020)

*Bill Bryson, USA, Buy *

This book offers an engaging and accessible take on the biggest questions in the universe, from “why is there something rather than nothing?” through to “what’s at the edge of the universe?”. Plato said that philosophy starts in awe, this book will fill you with a deep sense of wonder at our universe.

Inclusion revolution: The essential guide to dismantling racial inequity in the workplace (2022)

Daisy Auger-Domínguez, US, Buy

“Racial inequality in the workplace is a problem we can solve. Inclusion Revolution offers the necessary tools for managers to address issues of race, power, and exclusion to build change that lasts. Because through the best teams, organisations can finally create a stronger future.” — Elaine Montilla

The evolution of cooperation (1984)

Robert Axelrod, US, Buy

“In this short but impressive book, political scientist Robert Axelrod shows how a simple cooperation-based strategy could beat a dozen of competing strategies in a "prisoner's dilemma" game, and gave us proof that cooperation, not competition, is the answer to get the better results from human interactions in the long run.” — Vagner Rosso

Empireland (2021)

Sathnam Sanghera, UK, Buy

If memory is the root of identity, British people are having an awkward time reconciling who they are today with their memory of what Britain was in the past. This confusion involves confronting an airbrushed view of British imperial history with the hard and sometimes brutal historical facts. Sanghera, the son of Indian immigrants, explores how the British empire formed the UK we know today.

How to do nothing: Resisting the attention economy (2020)

Jenny Odell, US, Buy

“This book discusses everything from grind culture, to the TedTalk-ification of knowledge, to how to approach technology and work in a mindful way that doesn't reduce the systemic issues around exploitive work arrangements to personal responsibility ('do yoga').” — Anon

Crucial conversations (2021)

Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory, Buy

“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place, said George Bernard Shaw. This book is a sound reminder that we don't often (if ever) say what we mean, and if we do, do we really think about how effectively we are doing it? Great book for anyone looking to speak up honestly and efficiently in the workplace.” — Anon

Quickfire suggestions from the community ⚡️

We were blown away by the number of recommendations we received. To try and squeeze a few more in, here are some quickfire suggestions from public servants around the world.

How to be a civil servant (2000) by Martin Stanley, Buy

“I think it's a great modern read - includes loads of comical stories of corporate offices.” — Kadiatu

The ride of a lifetime (2019) by Robert Iger, Buy

“For leadership and humanity.” — Anon

The gulag archipelago (1973) by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Buy

“An eternal reminder of how close we are to disaster!” — Anon

You're more powerful thank you think (2018) by Eric Liu, Buy

“It's written for the citizen specifically, but I find it really helpful when trying to figure out how to change systems and structures that have been in place for a long time.” — Andrew

Trillion dollar baby: How Norway beat the oil giants and won a lasting fortune (2016) by Paul Cleary, Buy

“Inspirational - sets the bar for what a strong public service and bold government can achieve together - an enduring national legacy.” — Richard Ex (Australia)

Blood and ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Buy

“It was an amazing fictional/fantasy read that got you hooked within the first couple of chapters. I blew through the entire series in two weeks.” — Anon

War and peace (1867) by Leo Tolstoy, Buy

“Tolstoy is a master of human observation, and the way the narration dives into characters' perspectives and then zooms out again is wonderful. Also, everyone should read the classics.” — Anon

Dare to lead (2018) by Brené Brown, Buy

“[Leadership] is not about winning or losing, but rather having the courage to show up when you can't control the outcome.” — Nathalie Grenier

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