Playing soccer, washing dishes, cramming for a math test, eating soft-serve, in church, on the Internet, during a hurricane or at a roller rink: As this collection of pieces shows, we “come together” with others all the time, in all kinds of ways — even as many worry that our shared public spaces are being neglected, that technology is making us more alone, and that democracy is suffering as a result.
To create this collection, we worked with Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization that seeks to build community and inspire a love of reading by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. From now until January, the group’s Action Book Club is inviting readers to discuss works on the theme “Come Together.” You can sign up your group, whether you’re friends, classmates, family, a local community organization, or even an existing book club.
To help, the organization has created a list of recommended texts at every level, including some we know are popular in schools already, like “Dear Martin” and “Refugee,” as well as recent critically acclaimed works like “An American Marriage,” “There There” and “Little Fires Everywhere.” We’re joining the effort by choosing pieces on the theme from across sections of The Times. Our articles can be read on their own, paired with any of the recommended books, or matched with the texts of your choice.
Our mutual goal? As The Action Book Club puts it, “to celebrate the power of unity, equity, and understanding in what can feel like a divided world.” As you read, you might think about why that matters and how the theme resonates in your own life and community.
Below, some suggested questions that can help you get started. When you’re done reading and discussing, the Action Book Club also has ideas for community-building projects you can do together — and we hope the Times articles will inspire even more. Whatever you do, we’d love to hear about it. You can post a comment here, write to us at LNFeedback@nytimes.com, or submit your story to the Action Book Club.
Conversation Starters
From the Action Book Club:
• Why is it important to understand and respect other perspectives, views and experiences?
• Have you ever needed to interact with someone whose views were different from yours? How did it go?
• What would you want people to know about you to understand you better? What makes your experience different from others? What could others learn from that experience?
• When has “coming together” benefited you or your community?
From The Learning Network:
Now, get reading.
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How We Come Together…
Playing Sports
José Andrés Fed Puerto Rico, and May Change How Aid Is Given (2017)
The chef’s huge effort is just the latest led by cooks, who are showing a more agile, locally based way to feed people after a disaster.
A Stranger in Maryland, Touched by a Hurricane Story, Sends 3 Cups to Houston (2017)
After reading about a woman who lost cups that had belonged to her mother, the stranger found three identical pieces and had them sent to Texas.
They Were Stranded by Florence. Then the Cajun Navy Arrived. (2018)
Volunteers took to boats along darkened streets, guiding residents away from waist-high waters brought by the powerful storm.
In Fire-Scorched Oklahoma, Help Comes One Bale at a Time (2018)
Wildfires burned Oklahoma grazing land, leaving ranchers struggling to feed their cattle. Then the truckloads of hay showed up from faraway states.
In the Town of Phil Campbell, a Gathering of Phil Campbells (2011)
What started as a joke, a centennial celebration for Phil Campbell, Ala., turned into a relief effort in the aftermath of a tornado that killed 26 people in the little town.
Where Americans Come Together (2017)
Roller rinks like Skate World in Oregon still strengthen our social fabric.
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