The Bookish Mindset

Feminism, and especially intersectional feminism, is an important topic for all of us, not just women. We want equality for all women. I’ve curated the below list of books that will give you a great place to start you feminist reading journey. Some of these I’ve read and loved and can’t stop recommending and others I have bought on my shelf ready to get to but I just know they’re incredible pieces of writing.

Grab your notepads, your index tabs and your highlighters for these ones, there is so much to take away from these books. So in absolutely no order, let me introduce the books I will continue to read and re-read again and again.

Feminism Interrupted – Lola Olufemi. The tagline for this book is disrupting power and it does just that. This book is a powerful manifesto that dissects issues with traditional and modern feminism. Relatively short at only 179 pages. 

Hood Feminism – Mikki Kendall. Another book with a brilliant tagline: “Notes From The Women White Feminists Forgot”. An eye-opening and brilliant read, shining a light on feminist issues that you may not realise before. 

The Transgender Issue – Shon Faye. This one was all over bookstagram at it’s release and for good reason. This is an absolute must read for an understanding on trans issues.

Everyday Sexism & Men Who Hate Women – Laura Bates. Two books I have on my shelf to read – I’ve heard a lot about them so I hope they live up to the hype. From catcalling to the misogyny of incels, I’m expected to get very fired up over these books.

Abolition. Feminism. Now – Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners & Beth E. Richie. A new release I’ve just started to dig into and it’s already incredibly powerful. Watch out for the review on this one soon. I already recommend it. 

It’s Not About The Burqa – Mariam Khan. A collection of essays by Muslim women on what it means to hold their faith in today’s society. 

Women, Race & Class – Angela Y. Davis. Featured for the second time on this list, Davis’s Women, Race & Class looks at the history of class disparity, slavery and much more. 

Sister Outsider – Audre Lorde. An icon of literature, there was no way this couldn’t be on the list. 

The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House – Audre Lorde. My first and certainly won’t be my last Lorde, this mini is the perfect introduction to her work.

What White People Can Do Next – Emma Dabiri. Another mini that packs a punch. While it’s title suggests this may be focused on race, intersectional feminism means we’re talking about all women. An educational and quick read.

Me & White Supremacy – Layla F. Saad. While we’re talking about intersectionality and race, I can’t not mention Saad’s book that took the world by storm. Important and necessary work.

Consumed – Aja Barber. If you don’t already follow Barber on her Instagram or her Patreon then you are missing out and need to correct that right away. Consumed looks at the fast fashion industry and the inequality that capitalism brings. A must read, it changed my spending habits for good.

To get your hands on all these and more, you can visit my Bookshop.org shopfront here.

Last updated: 13/01/2024