Imagine a Better Boston Through Books

BOSTON, MA – By now you've surely heard of Imagine Boston 2030, and how city officials are trying to get ideas and feedback from the public on its long-term planning process.

The mayor's team last week came out with a list of recommended reading that helps illustrate the ideological underpinnings and real-world examples of urban thought and planning that go into all those big ideas.

Going back to that whole feedback thing, the mayor's office is asking for ideas from the public on which titles should join their list. Think of a book that makes sense to you, and let the city know here. We'd love for you to let us know in the comments, too, or by emailing alison.bauter@patch.com.

Below, you'll find the city's full list of recommended reading, including titles the kids can enjoy. All are being made available through local branches of the Boston Public Library. You can find your library location here.

Reading List

• "Evicted" by Matthew Desmond
• "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by Jane Jacobs
• "Chain of Change: Struggles for Black Community Development" by Mel King
• "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane
• "Common Ground" by J. Anthony Lukas
• "All Souls" by Michael Patrick MacDonald
• "The Power Broker" by Robert Caro
• "Karma and Other Stories" by Rishi Reddi
• "The Resilience Dividend: Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong" by Judith Rodin
• "Villa Victoria: The Transformation of Social Capital in a Boston Barrio" by Mario Luis Small
• "Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time" by Jeff Speck
• "The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future" by Joseph E. Stiglitz

Youth Reading List:

• "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" by M. T. Anderson
• "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
• "Pennies for Elephants" by Lita Judge
• "What's the Big Idea? Four Centuries of Innovation in Boston" by Stephen Krensky
• "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey
• "Fantastic Cities: A Coloring Book of Amazing Places Real and Imagine" by Steve McDonald
• "Beneath the Streets of Boston" by Joe McKendry
• "On the Loose in Boston (Find the Animals)" by Sage Stossel

>> Photo by Christopher via Flickr/Creative Commons