The Books

Do you ever feel overwhelmed and powerless after watching the news? Does it make you feel sad about the world, without much hope for its future? Take a breath – the world is not as bad as the headlines would have you believe.

In You Are What You Read, campaigner and researcher Jodie Jackson helps us understand how our current twenty-four-hour news cycle is produced, who decides what stories are selected, why the news is mostly negative, and what effect this has on us as individuals and as a society.

Combining the latest research from psychology, sociology, and the media, she builds a powerful case for including solutions into our news narrative as an antidote to the effects of the negativity bias.

You Are What You Read is more than a book; it is a manifesto for a movement. This timely book is not a call for us to ignore the negative; rather, it asks us to not ignore the positive. It asks us to change the way we consume the news and shows us how, through our choices, we have the power to improve our media diet, our mental health and just possibly the world.

An incredible, thought-provoking and important book that will give you the tools to navigate the rampant negativity on the news. Jodie Jackson provides insights and tools to help you stay informed without getting depressed. A must-read!

Michelle Gielan
Bestselling Author of Broadcasting Happiness

Whilst the elders are looking for problems, Little Ruffle goes looking for solutions!

Little Ruffle and The World Beyond is an illustrated children’s book about a little bird who can’t see out of her nest, so listens to stories about the world from her elders. As a result, she becomes afraid to fly the nest because it sounds like a bad and scary place. But Little Ruffle soon learns through a heart-warming adventure that the world is filled with beauty, kindness, courage and brilliance – we just have to know where to look.

“If we want a different story,
We must take a different view,
Climb on my little darling,
I’ve got something to show to you…”

Little Ruffle and The World beyond is a touching tale of kindness, courage and triumph.

Through the eyes of Little Ruffle, children will learn to see the good in the world! This revolutionary book lays the foundations for conversations about the mental health impact of the news on young minds. A brilliant resource for both parents and educators as it will empower younger generations – this book is the first of its kind.

Philippa Browne
Deputy head, Langley Park Primary School

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

You Are What You Read” succinctly and effectively makes a convincing argument for the value of solutions-focused reporting. It takes a nuanced approach, which acknowledges there is a place for negative news. The way it discusses how to project optimism is fascinating and is something we need more of in our media.

Joseph Litcherman, editorial manager and writer of “Solutions Set” at “The Lenfest Institute“

An incredible, thought-provoking and important book that will give you the tools to navigate the rampant negativity on the news. Jodie Jackson provides insights and tools to help you stay informed without getting depressed. A must-read!

Michelle Gielan, Bestselling Author of Broadcasting Happiness

‘You Are What You Read’ is an incredibly unique and thought provoking book which explains the impact that the news has on our mental health and gives an insight on how we can inform ourselves, whilst avoiding the negative impacts of our current news environment. In a world of tragedy, misinformation, media manipulation and the relentless demonisation of societies, understanding the benefits of solutions journalism helps us all to change narratives and regain faith in credible journalism!

Hacked Off

News consumers will feel energized and empowered by especially the last chapter of “You Are What You Read.” This chapter details what everyday readers can do to better inform themselves while nurturing a more productive news environment.

Steven Youngblood, Director, Center for Global Peace Journalism; author “Peace Journalism Principles and Practices”

The news is bad for you. It’s time to radically change the production and the consumption of media. Jodie Jackson’s brilliant book shows how

Rolf Dobelli, Bestselling author of “The Art of Thinking Clearly”

Jodie Jackson makes a compelling case for why we need to question our news diet, and how it distorts the way we see the world. Let’s hope her book inspires more solutions-based news and positive thinking!

Lily Cole, Co-founder of Impossible

An inspiring call to arms to overcome the negativity bias in our news media. Refreshing, well-researched, balanced and hopeful. Let’s make it happen

Dr Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness

Using well-researched examples, this book powerfully demonstrates the importance of solutions journalism as a way to create better balance, make us better-informed and both empower and inspire us to solve the problems facing our world.

Michael Moller, Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

Well written, thoroughly researched and elegantly presented: This is a truly important book that gives, for the first time, a voice to the frustrated news consumer. Jodie Jackson shows that the real power in changing democracy depends not only on attention seeking politicians, publishers and cynical journalists chasing clicks and shares. It rests with the news consumer. This book shows that the kind of journalism we reward with our time, money and attention will determine the future of journalism, media, and democracy.

Ulrik Haargerup, Founder and CEO of Constructive Institute.

The idea that the media’s window on the world does not distort or does not matter is absurd. That it is so negative is clearly dangerous. It promotes overreaction, conflict, violence. Here is a crisp, refreshing analysis, full of warnings and full of solutions.

Simon Jenkins – Journalist, Author and former editor of The Times

The evidence shows that people are not just depressed by the gusher of crises and outrages that make up today’s news. They’re misinformed, and hold demonstrably false beliefs about the state of the world. Jodie Jackson’s timely and engaging look at contemporary journalism is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary journalism and its role in fostering accurate knowledge and responsible citizenship.

Steven Pinker, Harvard University, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now

This book should be required reading for anyone who consumes or produces news. Jackson details the many harmful, often unexamined, ‘side effects’ of our current news environment – and suggests avenues to protect ourselves and to improve journalism. An urgent call for reform.

David Bornstein, CEO & Co-founder of Solutions Journalism Network

As media organisations globally are starting to embrace constructive journalism, Jodie fulfills a crucial role by engaging and empowering not just those who make the news, but all of us. If ‘You Are What You Read’ is about consuming stories that are good for you, then this very book is a great place to start.

Danielle Batist, Journalist and Co-Founder, The Constructive Journalism Project

Why do we think that the world is falling apart in the era of the greatest progress mankind has seen? Because our worldview is formed by the news, and as Jodie Jackson explains in this important book, the media is biased towards the negative and sensational. But don’t despair, you can change your media diet, and Jodie Jackson knows how to do it. Good news, at last!

Johan Norberg, Author, Progress: 10 Reasons to Look Forward to the Future