A monthly Radical Reading Group at Left Bank Leeds with Pluto Press & Left Book Club.

Click the bookcase for the catalogue 📚

The reading group meet on the last Wednesday of every month at 6.30pm. Register to attend the next one 🗓

Become Ungovernable by H.L.T. Quan •

As if already free by Holly High & Joshua O Reno •

Badvertising by Andrew Murray & Leo Simms •

Less Is More by Jason Hickel •

Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa •

Queer Footprints by Dan Glass

Hope In Hopeless Times by John Holloway

Become Ungovernable by H.L.T. Quan •

As if already free by Holly High & Joshua O Reno •

Badvertising by Andrew Murray & Leo Simms •

Less Is More by Jason Hickel •

Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa •

Become Ungovernable by H.L.T. Quan •

Queer Footprints by Dan Glass

As if already free by Holly High & Joshua O Reno •

Badvertising by Andrew Murray & Leo Simms •

Less Is More by Jason Hickel •

Queer Footprints by Dan Glass

Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa •

Hope In Hopeless Times by John Holloway

Queer Footprints

Enough

Become Ungovernable by H.L.T. Quan • As if already free by Holly High & Joshua O Reno • Badvertising by Andrew Murray & Leo Simms • Less Is More by Jason Hickel • Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa • Queer Footprints by Dan Glass Hope In Hopeless Times by John Holloway Become Ungovernable by H.L.T. Quan • As if already free by Holly High & Joshua O Reno • Badvertising by Andrew Murray & Leo Simms • Less Is More by Jason Hickel • Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa • Become Ungovernable by H.L.T. Quan • Queer Footprints by Dan Glass As if already free by Holly High & Joshua O Reno • Badvertising by Andrew Murray & Leo Simms • Less Is More by Jason Hickel • Queer Footprints by Dan Glass Radical Intimacy by Sophie K Rosa • Hope In Hopeless Times by John Holloway Queer Footprints Enough

Radical Reading

Room FAQ’s

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

    See the books we have here

Sound System
Sarah Allison Sarah Allison

Sound System

Musicians have often wanted to change the world. From underground innovators to pop icons many have believed in the political power of music. Rulers recognise it too. Music has been used to challenge the political and social order - and to prop up the status quo.

Sound System is the story of one musician's journey to discover what makes music so powerful. Dave Randall uses his insider's knowledge of the industry to shed light on the secrets of celebrity, commodification and culture.

This is a book of raves, riots and revolution. From the Glastonbury Festival to the Arab Spring, Pop Idol to Trinidadian Carnival, Randall finds political inspiration across the musical spectrum and poses the question: how can we make music serve the interests of the many, rather than the few?

Published in partnership with the Left Book Club.

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The Geopolitics of Green Colonialism
Sarah Allison Sarah Allison

The Geopolitics of Green Colonialism

The time for denial is over. Across the Global North, the question of how we should respond to the climate crisis has been answered: with a shift to renewables, electric cars, carbon trading and hydrogen. Green New Deals across Europe and North America promise to reduce emissions while creating new jobs.

But beneath the sustainability branding, these climate 'solutions' are leading to new environmental injustices and green colonialism. The green growth and clean energy plans of the Global North require the large-scale extraction of strategic minerals from the Global South. The geopolitics of transition imply sacrificing not only territories, but truly sustainable ways of inhabiting this world. A new subordination in the global energy economy prevents societies in the South from developing sovereign strategies to foster a dignified life.

This book provides a platform for the voices that have been conspicuously absent in debates around energy and climate in the Global North. Drawing on case studies from across the Global South, the authors offer incisive critiques of green colonialism in its material, political and symbolic dimensions, discuss the multiple entanglements that forcefully connect the transitions of different world regions in a globalised economy, and explore alternative pathways toward a liveable and globally just future for all.

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Queer Footprints
Sarah Allison Sarah Allison

Queer Footprints

This groundbreaking guide will take you through the city streets to uncover the scandalous, hilarious and empowering events of London's queerstory. Follow in the footprints of veteran activists, such as those who marched in London's first Pride parade in 1972 or witnessed the 1999 bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho.

Accompanied by a chorus of voices of both iconic and unsung legends of the movement, readers can walk through parts of East, West, South and North London, dipping into beautifully illustrated maps and extraordinary tales of LGBTQIA+ solidarity, protest and pride. The shadows of gentrification, policing, homophobia and racism are time and again resisted.

From the Brixton Fairies to Notting Hill Carnival to world-changing protests in Trafalgar Square, Rebel Dykes to drag queen communes,Queer Footprints celebrates the hidden histories of struggle and joy. Including an accessibility guide and a list of these gems for your pleasure - queer spaces, clubs, networks and resources galore.

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I just wanted to write a 'thank you' message for the reading group that you offer at Left Bank and for creating the space to explore such important topics.  I'm grateful that in a chaotic world, there are quiet places like this one, where there is space to think differently, question the current ways of things and explore alternatives.”