We get together every month to discuss a book from our Radical Reading Room – a library we’ve set up in collaboration with Pluto Press and The Left Book Club. It’s an informal group and everyone is welcome, so pop down and chat about some timely political topics.

Books we have read this year so far:

• Hope In Hopeless Times By John Holloway
• Exploring Degrowth by Vincent Liegey and Anitra Nelson
• Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa
• Return Of A Native by Vron Ware
• Queer Footprints by Dan Glass
• Less Is More by Jason Hickel

Our Current Book: Badvertising by Andrew Simms and Leo Murray

Badvertising

(We will be discussing this book at our next meetup on Wednesday 31st January)

Advertising is selling us a dream, a lifestyle. It promises us fulfilment and tells us where to buy it - from international flights to a vast array of goods we consume like there is no tomorrow. The truth is, if advertising succeeds in keeping us on our current trajectory, there may not be a tomorrow.

In Badvertising, Andrew Simms and Leo Murray raise the alarm about an industry that is making us both unhealthy and unhappy, and that is driving the planet to the precipice of environmental collapse in the process.

What is the psychological impact of being barraged by literally thousands of advertisements a day? How does the commercialisation of our public spaces weaken our sense of belonging? How are car manufacturers, airlines and oil companies lobbying to weaken climate action? Examining the devastating impact of advertising on our minds and the planet, Badvertising also crucially explores what we can do to change things for the better.

About The Author

Andrew Simms is the author of many books including The New Economics, Ecological Debt, Tescopoly and Cancel the Apocalypse. Most recently he co-authored Economics: A Crash Course, a beginner's guide to the subject from a heterodox perspective, with David Boyle. He co-founded the New Weather Institute and coordinates the Rapid Transition Alliance. He is a research associate at the Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex, a fellow of the New Economics Foundation (NEF) where he was also policy director for many years and established its Climate Change, Energy and Interdependence Programme, and has been a frequent contributor to the Guardian and BBC. He is also the assistant director of Scientists for Global Responsibility. He co-founded the Green New Deal group in 2007, the climate campaign onehundredmonths.org that ran until 2017, and devised Earth Overshoot Day.

Leo Murray co-founded Plane Stupid, where he played a central role in strategic planning and communication for three years from 2006. He also designed and co-founded the climate change campaigning organisation Possible in 2009, where he is currently director of innovation. Murray is the brains behind the Frequent Flyer Levy, and strategy lead for the Rapid Transition Taskforce. He was previously a part-time political advisor on the transition to a sustainable economy to Labour's Shadow Minister for Sustainable Economics, Clive Lewis MP.

About the facilitator: Sarah Autumn

Sarah Autumn is a Leeds based activist and creative community organiser. She's part of the extended Left bank family and will be facilitating the Radical Reading Group in 2024. Sarah will work with Pluto Press, Left Book Club and the Radical Reading group members to select and study each book ahead of the meetups.

Reading Room FAQ’s

How often is the reading room?

There is a Radical Reading Room at Left Bank every 4-6 weeks. Every group is held on the last Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm as part of our Culture Club. The group is held in the main Left Bank space or in one of the caravans outside when the evenings are lighter and warmer.

2024 dates

• 31st Jan
• 28th Feb
• 27th March
• 24th April
• 29th May
• 26th June
• 31st July
• 28th Aug
• 25th Sep
• 30th Oct
• 27th Nov

What time is the reading room?

The reading room starts at 6.30pm.

Between 6.30-6.45 you will have time to arrive, get a drink and acquaint yourself with the group. We wrap up by 8pm.

How much does the Reading Room cost?

The Radical Reading Group is free to attend.

There will always be at least one copy of the book available in the library to borrow.

If you do wish to buy the book from Pluto Press, you will receive a 40% discount code. To get the code, please email sarahaautumn@gmail.com once you have booked your ticket.

Do I have to read the whole book?

Whilst you may find the reading group more enjoyable if you have read the book, it isn’t essential. You can come along to listen and learn about the book or discuss the broader ideas within the book. Sarah will highlight passages and quotes to discuss. You will also receive some information about the book and author in your reminder email.

Can I suggest a book?

Yes! We would love to hear your suggestions. It is worth keeping in mind though that this reading group is in collaboration with Pluto Press and Left Book Club so it does need to be a book within one of those two catalogues. Fortunately that gives you lots of awesome books to choose from.

• Pluto Press Books
• Left Book Club Books

At the end of each group, we discuss books for the following meet up and usually agree one then. The book selection will be added to the event listing on the Left Bank Website, Leeds Inspired and social media.

Can I borrow other books from the Library?

YES! The Radical Reading Room Library at Left Bank is available for all