to quote the philosopher francis bacon, “some books must be tasted, others devoured, but only a few must be chewed and fully digested”. these definitely fall into the chew category.
Whether you want to get to know your body better, deepen your understanding of the history and experiences of minority groups, or learn about issues affecting the lgbtq+ community, these are the books you need.
You are reading: Books to educate yourself
1 woman, race and class – angela davis
Legendary political activist Angela Davis traces the history of racial and gender oppression in the United States in this powerful study of the women’s liberation movement.
2 Period Power – Maisie Hill
Maisie Hill turns this long-awaited conversation on its head with her no-nonsense primer on periods and hormones. it’s kind of fucking brilliant.
3 On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous – Ocean Vuong
a powerful, raw and poetic exploration of language, race, sexuality, trauma and masculinity. Framed as a letter from a young Vietnamese man to his illiterate mother, the subject is both striking and beautiful.
4 Trans Like Me: A Journey For All Of Us – C.N. Lester
what does it mean to be transgender? this book covers a multitude of topics about the trans experience, from pronouns to caitlin jenner, as well as cn lester’s own experience with identity.
5 How We Fight For Our Lives: A Memoir – Saeed Jones
A revealing portrait of what life is like growing up as a young black gay man in the American South. it’s a memory you’ll never forget.
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6 Girl, Woman, Other – Bernardine Evaristo
a booker award winning novel, girl, woman, other follows the lives of 12 different black British women and their intricately connected stories.
7 Call Me by Your Name – André Aciman
now a great classic of the movement, call me by your name is one of the best lgbtq love stories of our time.
8 White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Race – Robin DiAngelo
american academic robin diangelo shows how hurt and defensive white reactions can shut down vital conversations and uphold white supremacy. if he is interested in social change, add him to your tbr stack ASAP.
9 Everyday Sexism – Laura Bates
The Everyday Sexism Project was founded by writer Laura Bates in 2012. It began as a website to catalog instances of everyday sexism, but quickly evolved into a viral hit, credited with helping spawn a new wave of feminism. From workplace discrimination to sexual harassment, everyday sexism is an important literary protest against inequality and a manifesto for change.
10 All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir Manifesto by George M. Johnson
written by journalist and lgbtq activist, george m. Johnson, this fearless memoir manifesto explores the trials and triumphs of the Black queer lived experience.
11 Me and White Supremacy – Layla Saad
A searing expose of how entrenched white privilege is in modern society, the Saad self, and white supremacy is a must-read for anyone committed to doing better.
12 The Colour Purple – Alice Walker
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A classic that everyone should read at least once, the color purple is a cultural touchstone of modern American literature. Told through a series of letters spanning 20 years, Alice Walker’s epic broke the silence around domestic and sexual abuse, chronicling the lives of women through their pain and struggle, togetherness and growth, resilience and courage. .
13 I Am Not Your Baby Mother – Candice Brathwaite
Part memoir, part manifesto, candice brathwaite’s candid guide to navigating black british motherhood is a must-read for all mums.
14 Vagina: A New Biography – Naomi Wolf
naomi wolf’s groundbreaking work challenges the way we think, talk and understand the vagina.
15 The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colourblindness – Michelle Alexander
Michelle Alexander presents essential reading for anyone who wants to further their understanding of the deeply flawed legal system in the United States.
16 the hate you give – angie thomas
Inspired by the blm movement, this is an honest and painfully relevant novel about police brutality and a girl’s fight for justice.
17 The Stars and the Blackness Between Them – Junauda Petrus
Told in two compellingly different voices, Junauda Petrus’ bold and lyrical debut is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds who find love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both.
18 Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith and Family – Garrard Conley
Boy Erased tells the harrowing true story of author Garrd Conley’s failed conversion therapy. Through an institutionalized 12-step program based on bible study, he was supposed to emerge straight and cleansed of impure impulses. instead, he found the strength and understanding to accept his true self.
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