This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:
I had a strange listening month with a lot of adult fiction and nonfiction. I read some good YA (tell you more next week), but the book that stood out the most was:
THE SPIRIT LEVEL-
WHY GREATER EQUALITY MAKES SOCIETIES STRONGER
Don't let the main title fool you, it's not a spiritual book...more sociology/social psychology.
When I learned many years ago that the difference between what a CEO in America makes compared to a regular worker is far greater than any other country and greater now than any time in our history, I felt a vague unease about where that could lead us in the future...I had no idea where it was already leading us.
The benefits of more equality in wealth (note that I didn't say complete equality) are vast and far reaching for everyone involved. Overall mental health, drug use, crime, teen pregnancy and other big issues all improve in more equal societies.
Not sure you believe it? Check out the stats on their website and/or read the book. I found it very eye opening.
What about you? Read this one or anything like it? What was your favorite June Read?
I'm excited to move onto some non-fiction and some adult fiction this summer, now that I'm not trying to frantically recommend books to my students all the time. This one sounds really interesting!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I saw this and thought of you:
http://booksyalove.blogspot.com/2012/06/listen-up-audio-sync-your-reading-with.html
You may already know about the SYNC program, but if not--enjoy!
Very interesting. I really like reading non-fiction every so often, and this seems like a good one!
ReplyDeleteThat does sound really interesting. I can't remember the last non-fiction book I read that wasn't education related.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I read this month was Sense & Sensibility. So I guess it's my favorite. :-P
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I studied equality as part of my economics course and it can have a huge impact on the citizens of a country. Sadly, South Africa is the most unequal country (income-wise) in it's income group.