5 Books For This Moment
Great companions for your weekend.
A quick impromptu post today to share five books that I think are ideal for this moment. I probably could have shared 500, but this is a good start - varied abortion experiences, an understanding of rest as required for collective liberation, feminism for all, and how a world designed for men harms women.
I would love to hear what books you would add to this list and what you plan on reading this weekend!
1. Choice Words: Writers on Abortion edited by Annie Finch.
A diverse collection of essays, poetry, memoirs, and reflections from over 50 writers from various backgrounds and perspectives that explore the subject of abortion. Some are more political in nature, while others focus more on the personal, ethical, and social experiences of women.
The writing includes all types of abortion, from legal to illegal, abortions despite the wishes of others and abortions required by others, those that were safe, and those that were fatal. The collection together allows you to contemplate the emotional depth, societal pressures, and personal stakes tied to reproductive rights and choices.
2. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
In many cities, streets are prioritized for snow clearance over sidewalks, assuming that roads are more essential because they’re used for commuting to work. However, research shows that women are more likely than men to walk or use public transportation and to travel in patterns shaped by errands, caregiving, and short-distance trips—often on foot.
This oversight means that snowy sidewalks disproportionately impact women, who are then more likely to slip and sustain injuries. In Sweden, for instance, a shift to "gender-neutral" snow-clearing—where sidewalks were cleared first—led to a marked reduction in injuries, particularly among women.
This is one of many examples from Invisible Women: Data Bias is a World Designed for Men that demonstrate how systems, technologies, public services, and medical practices are often designed with men as the default, creating significant disadvantages and even dangers for women. The examples come from various sectors—including healthcare, transportation, urban planning, and technology—and are pretty shocking. Data gaps can impact everything!
3. Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by bell hooks
fem·i·nism /ˈfeməˌnizəm/ noun
1. the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.
Feminism is not solely for women, nor is it an anti-male ideology; rather, it is a movement to end sexism and establish equality across all aspects of society. In her book, Feminism is for Everybody, bell hooks presents an accessible and inclusive introduction to feminism by breaking down stereotypes and emphasizing that everyone stands to benefit from challenging systems of oppression.
This is a great read for anyone new to feminist theory and can be an invitation to anyone (from any background) into the movement.
4. Women, Race & Class by Angela Y. Davis
Probably one of the most important books you can read, Women, Race & Class was a groundbreaking piece of work when first published in 1981. The book explores the intersections of race, gender, and class in the history of feminist and civil rights movements in the United States. For example, the mainstream women’s suffrage movement frequently excluded Black women and working-class perspectives, instead focusing solely on white, middle-class concerns.
The analysis challenges readers to reconsider mainstream narratives of feminism and civil rights, urging a more nuanced understanding of how systems of oppression overlap and reinforce one another. This understanding and reflection are just as important today as at any other time in history.
5. Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
Tricia Hersey is the founder of The Nap Ministry, an organization that examines the liberating power of naps and challenges the societal obsession with productivity, especially within capitalist systems that disproportionately demand labor from Black bodies. Her book, Rest Is Resistance, encourages readers to disconnect from the constant pressure to be "productive" and instead cultivate rest as a revolutionary act of self-preservation and collective well-being.
Her perspective on rest is that it goes beyond simple relaxation and is required to address deeper social and political issues.
Her second book, WE WILL REST! The Art of Escape, will be released on November 12th and is available for pre-order.
~ Bonus ~
6. Why I March: Images From The Women’s March Around The World by Abrams Books
A few nights ago, while umming and ahhing over this post, I spent quite a lot of time flicking through the pages of my Why I March copy. This beautiful book is filled with photographs from the women’s marches that took place in January 2017 across 82 countries and on all seven continents. It has been a while since I looked at this book; in some ways, it felt like it was a piece of history. But this week, the memories of that day came back to me. A day that exemplified the power and connection of women all around the world.
I don't know if it's still in print, but several secondhand copies are floating around the Internet. If you can get your hands on a copy, it is a powerful collection of images.
It has been announced that the Women’s March group will once again hold a "massive People's March" in D.C. on Jan. 18, the Saturday before Trump's second inauguration.
Wishing you a weekend full of reading!
Jennifer
xxx