Books That Matter: Exploring Books for Social Justice

Hey there! I’m Bita, a book lover with a passion for social change. This blog is about sharing books on social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

I’m building an archive of these books—for myself to refer back to, and for others to explore. 

Popular posts from this blog

This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color

  This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color is a revolutionary anthology that challenges the whiteness of mainstream feminism and calls for an intersectional approach that centers the experiences of women of color. Edited by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa , this collection, first published in 1981, remains a foundational feminist text. Through poetry, essays, personal narratives, and manifestos , contributors examine the intersections of race, gender, class, sexuality, and colonization and critique the ways white feminism has excluded and marginalized them. This book is not just a critique—it is a call to action for feminists to dismantle oppressive structures within and outside of feminism and work toward radical, inclusive change. Editors: Cherríe Moraga & Gloria Anzaldúa Publisher: Persephone Press (First Edition, 1981); SUNY Press (Latest Edition, 2015) Section Summaries The book is divided into four sections, each with its own thematic focus,...
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Living a Feminist Life

Author: Sara Ahmed ​ Publisher: Duke University Press ​ First Edition: 2017 ​ Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: Bringing Feminism Home Ahmed begins by reflecting on how feminist consciousness often originates within personal and domestic spheres. She emphasizes that feminist work is embedded in daily life, challenging traditional gender roles and power dynamics within familial and intimate settings. This chapter underscores the significance of personal experiences in shaping feminist awareness and the importance of addressing power structures in everyday interactions. ​ Notable Quotes: "Feminism is homework." ​ "We learn about power from our encounters with power." ​ Chapter 2: On Being Directed This chapter explores the societal expectations that guide individuals toward specific gendered behaviours. Ahmed critiques the "directions" imposed by social norms, which often steer women toward roles centered on care and compliance. She argues that femi...
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Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics

 bell hooks’ Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics is a powerful, accessible introduction to feminist thought. She presents feminism as a movement to end sexism and oppression in all forms, not just a struggle for women’s rights. Through a series of short, engaging chapters, hooks dismantles myths about feminism and argues that it is essential for everyone—men, women, and non-binary people alike. She calls for an inclusive, transformative feminism that fights racism, classism, and imperialism alongside sexism, making the case that a just world is only possible when all forms of domination are eradicated. Author: bell hooks Publisher: South End Press First Edition: 2000 Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: Feminism Is for Everybody hooks opens the book by defining feminism in its simplest and most radical form: the movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. She challenges the mainstream media’s portrayal of feminism as a movement solely for women or against me...
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