Penguin Random House Audio

When the rallying cry “Black Lives Matter” was heard across the world in 2013, Andre Henry was one of the millions for whom the movement caused a political awakening and a rupture in some of his closest relationships with white people. In All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep, Henry explores how the historical divides between Black people and non-Black people are expressed through our most mundane interactions, and why this struggle won’t be resolved through civil discourse, diversity hires, interracial relationships, or education.

Modern-day sexual ethics has held that “anything goes” when it comes to sex—as long as everyone says yes enthusiastically. In Rethinking Sex, Christine Emba shows how consent is a good ethical floor but a terrible ceiling. She spells out the cultural, historical, and psychological forces that have warped our idea of sex, what is permitted, and what is considered “safe.” She reveals how a consent-only view of sex has hijacked our ability to form authentic and long-lasting connections.

Belonging brings out the best in everyone. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, community organizer, or leader of any sort, your group is unlikely to thrive if the individuals don’t feel welcomed, included, and valued for who they are. In Design for Belonging, author and educator Susie Wise explains how to use simple levers of design to bring people together, create spaces that promote calm, and build systems that make people feel respected.