My feminist reading (and listening and learning) list: A master list of resources
A frequently-updated guide to some of my favorite feminist resources
Sometimes I publish bonus content on Saturday. Some of it belongs to the Reasons for Hope or Life as a Writer series, but this is a sort of standalone piece.
People have long asked me for a feminist reading list. The truth is that I’ve taken so long to create one because I read so much, and for so many reasons, that it’s challenging to distill my reading to my top picks. Some of the works that have influenced me the most are highly problematic. Woman’s Inhumanity to Woman, for example, remains a guidepost for me, but there’s so much problematic content in the book, and so many issues now with its author, that it doesn’t make much sense to recommend it.
And honestly, I sometimes just have trouble remembering my favorites. A lot of the work I’ve read just makes its way into my brain, becoming integrated into my personality without me ever really noticing it. So this list is not in any way comprehensive. I haven’t even attempted to recommend fiction, or children’s books, or to share the hundreds of books associated with my myriad interests.
So I may add more types of material to this list over time, and will certainly update it as I remember/read books. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments! I will leave the comment section open to everyone, not just paid subscribers.
I often tell people not to have heroes. No single person is the answer to anything and everything. We all get things wrong, and if you overly invest in a single source, you’ll be resistant to thinking critically about it.
So I should caution that almost everything I’ve listed here is problematic in some way.
General Feminist Books
Literally everything ever written by bell hooks, but especially Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope
Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward by Gemma Hartley
Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger by Sorya Chemaly
The D Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage by Kate Anthony
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes: The subject of much derision, this book is the reason many Baby Boomer women left their partners. It’s far from perfect, but there is a lot of wisdom here.
Backlash by Susan Faludi—very old, but still very relevant
The New Soft War on Women by Rosalind Barnett and Caryl Rivers
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf—Wolf has become a problematic figure in recent years, but this work is still exceptional.
Feminism in Our Time: Good review of feminist history, but significantly biased toward white writers
In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens by Alice Walker
The Silent Female Scream by Rosjke Hasseldine
Feminist Philosophy
My educational background is in philosophy, so you know I’m going to have a bunch of philosophy on this list. It irks me to no end that anything written about women is relegated to women’s studies rather than properly labeled philosophy. Nevertheless, here are some good resources that typically get labeled as philosophy instead of women’s studies:
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a great starting resource, and their feminism entry offers tons of helpful links.
A Woman Looking at Men Looking at Women by Siri Hustvedt
Intercourse by Andrea Dworkin: I have many disagreements with Dworkin, but she has been maligned and unfairly criticized, and you absolutely must read her.
The Woman Destroyed and The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
Living With Contradictions: Controversies in Feminist Social Ethics
Sense and Nonsense: Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Behavior
General Politics
These are books that help me understand the larger political world, but which are not necessarily explicitly feminist:
Resources for Men
Feminism and Anti-Racism
I hate putting this in its own section, because if it’s not actively anti-racist, it’s not actually feminism. But I know folks sometimes want resources specifically addressing resources. These are some of my favorites:
Mamademics offers classes, consulting, and tons of useful blog posts about anti-racism work, life as a Black woman, misogynoir, and the problem with white feminism.
Let’s Have the Conversation by Desiree B. Stephens is an amazing intersectional resource that goes well beyond anti-racism.
This Bridge Called My Back, with the follow-up, This Bridge We Call Home
Against White Feminism: Notes on Disruption by Rafia Zakaria
Coaching
Coaching is a deeply problematic industry, with little accountability and plenty of bullshit. But there are also some exceptional people doing exceptional work. Here are some of the folks I recommend:
If you are considering hiring a coach, here’s my advice:
Do not pursue any sort of spirituality coaching, ever.
Never, ever hire a male coach. Ever. For any reason.
Ask the coach about confidentiality and privacy practices, then get details in a signed contract.
Podcasts
Something Was Wrong tells stories about abusive relationships. Listening can help train your brain to recognize the early warning signs.
You’re Wrong About revisits the pop culture stories of the past, often through a feminist lens. There’s a strong focus on misunderstood women, and it’s a great podcast for understanding the dynamics that go into vilifying women.
Maintenance Phase delves deeply into fatphobia, compulsory health, and the problematic nature of health and fitness influencers. Fatphobia is integral to patriarchy, and is weaponized against all women to varying degrees. Educating yourself about this issue is vital.
If Books Could Kill is a podcast about bestsellers and airport books. While the hosts are both men and it’s not explicitly feminist, the hosts are also both feminists. This is a great podcast for understanding how silly ideas catch on, and inoculating yourself against the next pseudo-intellectual trend.
Parenting
Dr. Naomi Fisher has revolutionized the way I think about parenting, and especially the way I think about parenting an autistic child.
Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, because good parenting is really about learning to control your own emotions.
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J Siegel
Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality by Darcia Narvaez
Social Media and Miscellaneous Resources
Georgia Birth Advocacy Coalition (this is my nonprofit, but has a ton of useful resources regarding giving birth in a patriarchy)'
Untigering Facebook page
Father Nathan Monk: just a lovely dose of compassion, humor, and living in a way I think we should all aspire to.
Ask a Manager: progressive guide to all things work.
Captain Awkward: feminist-minded, emotionally intelligent advice column.
As someone who is 28+6 pregnant currently, I am SO greatful for the parenting books section shared here. When I finish up with pregnancy and birthing books I'm starting on this list.
I would love it if you eventually shared your children's book recommendations also.
This is great. I think the BTR podcast is great too! Thank you for this! I have far too many on your list and more to add!