It’s a flexible book club where we explore human rights through storytelling. Each month, we feature:

• one adult book for deeper reflection
• one picture book for younger readers and their grown-ups

Each book comes with a discussion guide to help you reflect on its themes and connect them to human rights issues.

You can join at any time and read at your own pace.

1. Visit this webpage and learn about the adult or preschool-aged selection (or both).
2. Visit your local library or bookstore, pull your copy off your shelf, download the audiobook or access the book selection online.
3. Download the discussion guide(s) and use them to explore human rights themes.
4. Join the conversation: Reflect solo, discuss with family or friends, or start a group in your community. Tag @humanrights4BC and use the hashtag #CommissionersBookClub in your posts.

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) does not provide books for participants. However, there are many ways to access the monthly book selections:

• Public libraries: Many libraries stock our monthly picks. If your library doesn’t have a copy, you can request it through an interlibrary loan.
• Affordable options: Look for used copies online, at second-hand bookstores or borrow from friends.
• Digital access: Many titles are available as ebooks or audiobooks through library apps like Libby or OverDrive.

Though new selections are released each month, feel free to pick up any book whenever it works for you.  We encourage readers to explore these options to engage with the conversation when it works for you.

Human rights can seem complex and overwhelming. Stories help us see these issues through the eyes of characters and real people, making the topics relatable and inspiring empathy. By reading, we can:

• Better understand the experiences of others.
• Reflect on our own lives and communities.
• Grow a culture of respect and inclusivity across the province.

This book club is for anyone curious about human rights, whether you’re a lifelong advocate or just starting to explore these topics. We welcome readers of all ages, backgrounds and experiences./

Participation in the Commissioner’s Book Club is flexible and open. The book selections consider representation and highlight different stories, experiences and ways of knowing. Discussion guides to support your learning and engagement are also available on this webpage.

Participants can decide how they’d like to experience the books, including YouTube read-alongs, audio versions, print, having others read with or to you, sometimes even films and more! The National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) and Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provide accessible formats like audiobooks, e-text and braille—and we strive to have all books accessible in these catalogues by 2026. Additionally, many public libraries offer resources like large print books and screen reader-compatible ebooks to support readers with diverse needs.

If you have ideas for how to make the book club even more accessible, please let us know by emailing . The book club is here for everyone—read, reflect and connect in a way that’s accessible to you!

/Each selection is chosen to spark meaningful conversations about human rights. Some books may challenge you; others will inspire hope and action. All are meant to pose important questions and connect you to diverse perspectives.

All of the books were selected by B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner because they impacted her thinking on human rights in some way. This doesn’t mean she agreed with everything the authors or characters do or say, but it does mean that she found them thought provoking. While we couldn’t cover every important human rights story in a year’s worth of book selections, she selected authors, characters and stories (and illustrators for the children’s books) from a wide range of backgrounds and identities to ensure a diversity of perspectives.

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The discussion guides are created by BCOHRC to help generate conversation about the books and draw the connections between the themes in each book and human rights issues and principles. The guides are available on this webpage. Each guide includes:

• a summary of the book
• key human rights themes to consider
• prompts and questions to encourage personal or group discussion

Use the discussion guides however it suits you—whether you’re journaling, chatting with friends or hosting a book club session.

The prompts and questions that follow are meant to encourage discussion and support reflection. Human rights-related books highlight challenging issues and topics—take care of yourself in the ways that you need while you dig in.

No, you can choose one or both! The adult and preschool books often explore related themes, but you’re welcome to focus on what works best for you.

Libraries, community groups and families can all participate. You could gift a book to a friend, share our website or social media posts (@humanrights4BC) with your book club, check if your local library is already a Commissioner’s Book Club participant or propose a meet up in your local neighbourhood chat.

We provide:

• posters and write-ups to promote the club locally
• resources for hosting group discussions, including a how-to-guide for hosting a book club, and a discussion guide for each book

Yes! While our focus is on fostering a human rights culture in B.C., anyone interested in these themes is welcome to participate.

Selections are posted each month on this webpage, along with the discussion guides.

No problem! The book club is self-paced. Read and engage when you’re ready. The discussion guides are always available, so you can revisit books later.

• Share your thoughts: Encourage conversations about the books in your family, workplace or community.
• Host a reading group: Use our resources to start discussions in your neighborhood or organization.
• Share how you’re participating in the Commissioner’s Book Club on social media. Tag @humanrights4BC and use the hashtag #CommissionersBookClub in your posts.