Join us for the next Harwell Book Club session, held in collaboration with Be Free Young Carers, with the book The Day The World Stops Shopping by J. B. MacKinnon.

We’re currently in our Repair / Renew / Tread Lightly event season on campus, focussing on resourcefulness, environment and biodiversity. This book provides an in depth look at how living with less could change our planet, our society, and ourselves.

Come along to the Campus Community Library space in Quad One at 12:15 on Tuesday 21st April for discussions.

Click the button below to be directed to the Member of the Future app to secure your place at the next book club session.

Description:

In The Day The World Shops Shopping, J.B. MacKinnon explores the tension between a global economy driven by consumption and a planet pushed beyond its limits. While spending fuels jobs and growth, it also accelerates environmental damage – and efforts to “green” consumption haven’t been enough.

MacKinnon asks a bold question: what would happen if we simply bought less? Drawing on global research and real-world insights from the pandemic, he examines whether reducing consumption could benefit both society and the planet without economic collapse.

Blending climate science, economics and human behaviour, the book offers a hopeful vision of living with less – highlighting the potential for improved wellbeing, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.

Click the button below to be directed to the Member of the Future app to secure your place at the next book club session.

How It Works

Sign Up: Register to join the book club on the Member of the Future app.

Collect Your Book: We’ll provide the book. Simply pick it up from Quad Two reception from Friday 20th March. We have limited copies available on a first come, first serve basis. You are welcome to source your own book if preferred.

Read & Discuss: You’ll have 5 weeks to read the book before we meet for our discussion over lunch in Quad One on Tuesday 21st April. We’ll provide pizza, or feel free to bring your own lunch. Each session will last for 45 minutes.

About Be Free Young Carers:

Based on campus, Be Free Young Carers is the only charity in Oxfordshire dedicated to supporting children aged 8–17 with caregiving responsibilities for a family member. They’re passionate about learning and growing through books, and can’t wait to connect with other readers on campus.

The book club will be led by Hannah, one of their fundraisers. If you love discussing business and self-development books, we want to see you there.