Six books the Prime Minister should read over summer (and you might like them too)
Six books the Prime Minister should read over summer (and you might like them too)It’s been a testing year for politics but a wonderful year for books. Both are good reasons for the Prime Minister to take a break, find a beach, and read a good book. To help him make the most of the holiday season, we have once again collated a Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister.
Our 2017 selection encompasses fact and fiction, geo-politics and kitchen-table gossip, cerebral sustenance and frivolous fun (and sometimes that’s all in the one book).
We looked for books that we felt were especially relevant in turbulent times. Books that the Prime Minister (or any Australian, really) would find refreshing. We wanted books that said something new and interesting about Australia, the world, and our future. But most of all, we were searching for cracking good reads.
There were lots to choose from. Here’s our Top Six, in no particular order:
- Still Lucky: Why you should feel optimistic about Australia and its people – Rebecca Huntley
- The Life to Come – Michelle de Kretser
- The Captured Economy: How the powerful enrich themselves, slow down growth, and increase inequality – Brink Lindsey and Steven M. Teles
- Burn Out: The endgame for fossil fuels – Dieter Helm
- Breaking the Mould: Taking a hammer to sexism in sport – Angela Pippos
- The Enigmatic Mr Deakin – Judith Brett
Grattan Institute launched our annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister at the State Library Victoria in December. Melbourne broadcaster Sally Warhaft joined Grattan Institute CEO John Daley in Melbourne to discuss how this year’s titles illuminate some of Australia’s most important debates. Watch or listen to a recording of the event here.
This year we were proud to publish our list in partnership with Readings – an Australian independent retailer. The books can be purchased at Readings’ table which will be set up at the event, at any of Readings seven shops in Melbourne, or via Readings online with free delivery on orders $19.95 and over anywhere in Australia.