This summer unionlearn has been asking people which books should be on a workplace reading groups’ list of essentials. The only criteria for a book to be included on the list is that it has got to have something to do with workplaces and work.

The former Home Secretary Right Honourable Alan Johnson is one of the people who have pitched in with recommended reading.

There are so many good things coming together here.

Firstly, it is the summer. An ideal time to read a book either when enjoying lazy holidays or rainy days at home.

Secondly, books should be shared. Not only should they be shared in physical form, by handing them to others or going to library but they should also be discussed and admired and criticised with other people.

The sharing option has been taken by union learning reps (ULRs) in various ways. For example, the GMB learning centre in Brighton started a book swap. It is so nice to get a new book to read but it is even better when you know that someone else can enjoy the same reading experience you have had. And sharing books helps with the current enthusiasm for decluttering too.

Sharing also happens when people come together and talk about books. Therefore, the third good thing about the unionlearn workplace book referendum is that the Top Ten list of books people vote for helps workplace reading clubs to get started.

The fourth good thing is that workplace reading groups offer an opportunity to ponder together issues such as what has and what has not changed in the world of work, how important is work for the characters in the book or do the experiences of work sound familiar to readers today. These are just suggestions. There is always an option of just starting with who liked the book and why.

And finally the fifth good thing: when a small group starts enjoying themselves, others will want to join in.

If it seems difficult to kick off a chat about a book, there is always the option of searching the Internet for general reading group questions or checking if the book’s publisher has to offer any ideas for reading group discussions. The Reading Groups for Everyone website has a wealth of helpful resources too. The UNISON ULRs in Blackpool NHS Trust got involved with the Reading Ahead initiative and won a visit from an author.

For a newbie workplace book club it may be a good idea to start with shorter books such as Quick Reads and build the appetite from there.

So, the voting is going on online. There is a choice of picking your favourites from the list of 20 books or suggesting a book that has been overlooked.

No better time for a good book than the British summer time.