The Bread & Roses Award, presented by the Alliance of Radical Booksellers with admin support from Lighthouse books, celebrates radical, accessible, politically-left non-fiction which offers new perspectives and insight. This feels particularly necessary at this concerning time of growing right-wing action and politics in the UK and worldwide, with a general election just around the corner.
Over 60 books were sent by publishers for consideration, from publishing houses big and small across the industry including Verso, Saqi, Profile, Repeater, and Hajar Press.
Our panel of judges are thrilled to present a shortlist of 6 titles. The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony in September and be awarded a £500 prize.
The books selected for the shortlist are vastly different in their topics, yet all relevant to the many political crossroads that we are facing. The books cover medical racism and the need for decolonisation, the consequences of capitalism on neurodiversity, the UK’s relationship with foreign state political lobbyists, genocide, displacement and refugees, women’s rights and the place of art in liberation, and the startling inequality in the UK itself.
SHORTLIST:
- Divided: Racism, Medicine and Why We Need to Decolonise Healthcare by Annabel Sowemimo (Wellcome Collection)
- Empire of Normality : Neurodiversity and Capitalism by Robert Chapman (Pluto)
- Friends of Israel: The Backlash Against Palestine Solidarity by Hil Aked (Verso)
- I Feel No Peace: Rohingya Fleeing Over Seas & Rivers by Kaamil Ahmed (Hurst)
- Shattered Nation: Inequality and the Geography of A Failing State by Danny Dorling (Verso)
- Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran edited by Malu Halasa (Saqi)
The judges said:
“The books shortlisted for this 2024’s Bread and Roses Award are exemplary in their insight into some of the most widespread issues that are faced in the UK and in the rest of the world.
Some of these titles highlight issues closely relevant to the UK, such as the Dorling’s investigation into inequality in our own nations, Sowemimo’s work on racism in the medical field, Chapman’s unique and eye-opening discussion of neurodivergence and capitalism, and Aked’s reporting on the effect of Israeli lobbyists on Palestinian Solidarity in the UK. These are books that have the power to shape many of our decisions and actions – especially with the general election coming up.
The others remind us of our individual and collective positions and responsibilities in responding to crises and issues outside of our island, which nonetheless require our attention and remembrance beyond the fast-paced and forgetful media cycle. Halasa has collected art and stories of protest in Iran to galvanise and strengthen our solidarity with the women striving for liberation. And Ahmed, based on interviews with Rohingya survivors who have been displaced and faced many horrors reminds us of their resilience and need for accountability.”
Established in 2012 by radical London bookshop, Housemans, the prize has since been run in collaboration with Five Leaves Bookshop and Lighthouse – Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop. Previous winners of the Award include Aviah Sarah Day and Shanice Octavia McBean, Florian Grosset, Johny Pitts, Reni Eddo-Lodge and, in its very first year, David Graeber.
The Bread and Roses Award 2025 will open for submissions in October 2024, where it will, as ever, invite submissions of non-fiction books which are informed by socialist, anarchist, environmental, feminist and anti-racist concerns, and which inspire, support or report on political and/or personal change.
Media contact: books@lighthousebookshop.com
The Bread and Roses Award for Radical Publishing 
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