Contemporary Feminist Books

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 27 Feb 2008, 16:42

I just finished reading an awesome book with essays by Voltairine de Cleyre, who was an American anarchist and feminist. I loved it. She died in 1912, and the feminist movement has helped make a lot of changes in society since then. So I want to read a book or two by contemporary feminists that deal with modern issues. Do any of you recommend any books written in the past few years by feminists? I am especially interested in individualist feminism, sex-positive feminism, and anarcha-feminism.

Thanks,
Scott

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 28 Mar 2008, 19:16

Hello Scott I was reading your thread here I have a few suggestions, I hope they help...ah, there is Wendy McElroy who is a anarchist feminism author and speaker. She wrote Queen Silver : The Godless Girl ...she co-wrote Freedom, Feminism, and the State and also The Reasonable Woman: A Guide to Intellectual Survival...she also has a regular column on ifeminists.com.
You might find her interesting.

There is also Andrea Dworkin she is a sex-radical feminism or sexually liberal feminism. She wrote Woman Hating..that was her first published book. She has a pretty interesting background to say the least. haha.

Kate Millet wrote a feminist text called Sexual Politics:The Classic Analysis of the Interplay Between Men.. Women and Culture. Its pretty interesting.

Robin Morgan..whom I admire she is a award-winning poet, novelist, political theorist..feminist activist..journalist..editor..and best-selling author..she is EVERY WOMAN haha

She has wrote soooo many books ah there is Sisterhood Is Forever: The Women's Anthology for A New Millennium. Very good read. (yeah look her up if you get a chance, she has ALOT of good reads)

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 28 Mar 2008, 19:26

Oh speaking of one from the past, Emma Goldman was one of my favorites

She was a Anarchism as well as a political activists...she was a free-thinking rebel

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 28 Mar 2008, 19:32

Oh and I'm pretty sure all these lovely ladies are individualist feminism too

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 28 Mar 2008, 21:09

Thanks! I'll probably get a book by Wendy McElroy when I get a chance. I've got 3 books out from the library right now, and I already have a few more I'm planning to read next. I'm also looking at L. Susan Brown. Unless I come across any other anarcha-feminists who interest me, I'll probably get a book by McElroy and a book by Brown at about the same time.

Hamlet · Post by **Hamlet** » 28 Mar 2008, 21:16

Scott Hughes wrote:Thanks! I'll probably get a book by Wendy McElroy when I get a chance. I've got 3 books out from the library right now, and I already have a few more I'm planning to read next. I'm also looking at L. Susan Brown. Unless I come across any other anarcha-feminists who interest me, I'll probably get a book by McElroy and a book by Brown at about the same time.

i've always been interested in the feminist movement, you guys have given me somewhere to go, i'll have to check out this McElroy too. i think my mom reads her??

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 28 Mar 2008, 22:31

You have quite a few books on this particular subject to read, lol. I don't think I've read L. Susan Brown...I might pick her up for myself too. Let me know if you find anything interesting Scott that you would like to share!

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 29 Mar 2008, 13:43

I will.

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 29 Mar 2008, 17:26

Thank you!

kaytie · Post by **kaytie** » 30 Mar 2008, 21:32

Scott, you are made of awesome!

You may enjoy Adrienne Rich's poetry. Or Wendy Wasserstein's plays. I'm not as familiar with the non-fiction, sadly...

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 30 Mar 2008, 23:10

You're welcome, Star!

Kaytie, thanks for your recommendations and your compliment!

Tracey Neal · Post by **Tracey Neal** » 30 Mar 2008, 23:35

Scott Hughes wrote:You're welcome, Star!

Eric · Post by **Eric** » 16 Apr 2008, 09:01

Check out Kathy Acker ("Blood & Guts in High School") or Jeanette Winterson ("Written on the Body"). Acker is a sex-positive feminist and has written some really unique stuff. I think you'd like them a lot!

Karen · Post by **Karen** » 16 Apr 2008, 23:06

I think that one of the most feminist books that anyone could ever read is: 800 Years of Women's Letters; foreword by P.D. James; edited by Olga Kenyon. My reasoning is that these letters describe real life experiences of women, and included are their gripes, and sarcastic mentions of their lot in life.

I would also suggest any books written by women. They're either told as how the author might like things, or the way things are: good and bad. Edith Wharton is a fabulous novelist. Beryl Markham's "West with The Night" is her fantastic autobiography. This is a very encouraging book for young women, looking to enter traditionally male professions. Paula Gunn Allen compiles stories of Native American Women. I've read two of her books: "Spider Woman's Granddaughters", and "Grandmothers of the Light A Medicine Woman's Source Book". You need to read her introductions too. Toni Morrison is another fabulous author.

Feminist writers "paint" a picture of women's lives. The writers and those women in their stories (fictional or nonfictional) come from all walks of life. To know the whole picture, everyone needs to be included.

I spent years reading books only written by women. My sister had a fit with me, because she felt that I wasn't getting life's complete picture.

blue_diamond21 · Post by **blue_diamond21** » 28 Apr 2008, 16:53

Angela Carter is a feminist write (though not sure what type exactly) with a gothic twist. Quite entertaining stuff. The Bloody Chamber is basically a feminist version of fairy tales with Bluebeard being retitled as The Bloody Chamber. Its not very recent, its about 30 or so years old but entertaining none the less