“That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life but in a new way.” – Doris Lessing
Throughout history, literature is studded with spectacular works of fiction, theory, and criticism all revolving around one thing: feminism. Here are a few suggestions for you to pick up to continue your feminist education.
COMPLAINT!
SARA AHMED
Drawing on oral and written testimonies from academics and students who have made complaints about harassment, bullying, and unequal working conditions at universities, feminist scholar Sara Ahmed examines what we can learn about power from those who complain about abuses of power.
THE RIGHT TO SEX
AMIA SRINIVASAN
Noted philosopher Amia Srinivasan traces the meaning of sex in our world by reaching back into an older feminist tradition that was unafraid to think of sex as a political phenomenon to help us imagine the future of sex.
WHOSE STORY IS THIS?
REBECCA SOLNIT
Rebecca Solnit explores the #MeToo era in this book of essays that asks how power shapes whose stories are listened to and respected.
DON'T CALL ME PRINCESS
PEGGY ORENSTEIN
Peggy Orenstein confidently tackles feminist issues with a deliciously clever personal perspective. She delves into the pains of teenage pregnancy, breaks down how the media fabricates body image, and explains why young girls shouldn’t aspire to be called “princesses.”
HOOD FEMINISM
MIKKI KENDALL
We can’t talk about feminism without talking about intersectionality. What is intersectional feminism? It’s feminism that’s conscious of the fact that a woman’s many identities—race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.—affect how she experiences disadvantages
FEMINASTY
ERIN GIBSON
Not to be dramatic, but the patriarchy is trying to ruin our lives at pretty much every turn. Think we’re exaggerating? Allow Feminasty to elaborate. Erin Gibson comes in hot with facts and stories that’ll make your blood boil.
BAD FEMINIST
ROXANE GAY
Cultural critic Roxane Gay embraces and advocates for the idea of imperfect feminism in her collection of funny, honest essays.
MEN EXPLAIN THINGS TO ME
REBECCA SOLNIT
The actual term “mansplaining” was inspired by this compilation of Rebecca Solnit’s essays where she can take something as frustrating as having a man literally explaining her own work back to her and turn it into something memorable.
GOOD AND MAD
REBECCA TRAISTER
Rebecca Solnit (who has written many books about feminism) explores the #MeToo era in this book of essays that asks how power shapes whose stories are listened to and respected. It also touches on other important topics, like voter suppression and climate change, and how these issues intersect with power and gender.
FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYONE
BELL HOOKS
Suffice it to say that feminist theory can be a bit dense for some. That’s why beloved feminist author and cultural critic bell hooks set out in 2000 to create an educational text for those whose understanding of feminism comes from passing TV references and outdated ideas about “feminazis.”
GIRLHOOD
MELISSA FEBOS
Blending investigative reporting, memoir, and scholarship, Melissa Febos charts how she and others like her have reimagined relationships and made room for the anger, grief, power, and pleasure women have long been taught to deny.
TOMORROW SEX WILL BE GOOD AGAIN
KATHERINE ANGEL
In this provocative analysis, Angel explores female desire, consent, and sexuality in the age of #MeToo.