Update - 22 January 2022
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Harwell Book Club – January 2026
January 14, 2026 @ 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
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We’re delighted to announce that Harwell Book Club (in collaboration with Be Free Young Carers) has officially been running for 1-year! Thank you to all those who’ve joined and supported the club and continue to participate each month.
We can now release the first title of 2026 – The Happiness Advantage (The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work) by Shawn Achor.
Come along to the The Campus Community Library space in Quad One at 12:15 on Wednesday 14th January 2026 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:
We’re often taught that success leads to happiness – but research in positive psychology shows the opposite: happiness fuels success. When we’re positive, our brains become more motivated, creative, resilient, and productive – a finding supported by studies across psychology, neuroscience and business.
In The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor draws on over a decade of research at Harvard and large-scale studies at companies like UBS and KPMG to show how we can retrain our brains toward positivity. Through global case studies, he reveals how a happier mindset leads to stronger performance and greater potential.
Achor outlines seven practical principles proven in classroom, boardrooms, and cultures worldwide, offering a framework for thriving even in times of stress and heavy workloads. Ultimately, the book shows that positivity isn’t just a mood – it’s a powerful advantage that helps us excel in work and life.
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 by Tuesday 23rd December (you may register after this date but we can’t guarantee a book).
Collect Your Book: We’ll provide the book. Simply pick it up from Quad Two reception from Monday 8th December. 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 about 6 weeks to read the book before we meet for our discussion over lunch in Quad One on Wednesday 14th January. 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.
