My top five feminist books.

These are books that I read to keep myself going while living in a patriarchy.

1. Against Our Will by Susan Brownmiller

    This book is not a quick undertaking. It is brutal, honest, and extraordinarily painful. Do not read it all at once for it is a harrowing read. If you read the reviews for the book, though, you will see many  examples of what was later labeled as #notallmen.

2. How to Suppress  Women's Writing by Joanna Russ 

    My first foray into inter-sectional feminism, the late Russ unearths all the fallacies that people drag out to minimize women's creations. 

3. Every single book by Dr. Fatima Mernissi. The late Mernissi was a Moroccan sociologist, feminist, and brilliant writer. Her work explores many of the fallacies of Islamic history and women's rights.

4. The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor. One of the finest examples of intersectional feminism, this book lays the groundwork for a more just society.

5. Afrofuturism: the world of Black sci-fi and fantasy by Ytasha L Womack. This book taught me so much the much under-represented Black experience in science fiction and fantasy. It is hopeful, exciting, and makes you want to write better books.

A few more excellent books and authors:

The Explorer's Guide to Planet Orgasm by Annie Sprinkle, PhD

Feminist Fight Club: An office survival manual for a sexist workplace by Jessica Bennet.  I really like resources that give women "boots on the ground", real life suggestions on how to deal with our daily stressors. 

Everything by Jean Shinoda Bolen

Everything by Dale Spender

The Survivor's Guide to Sex by Staci Haines

Everything by Susie Bright

 

The Oracle Deck is out!

 I've worked for ages on the Affirmations for Women in Business. I had no idea what I was doing. It was a long strange road but I finally got it done. 

It is available HERE at the Game Crafter. And it looks a little something like this:

And it reads a little bit like this:

Description: Half of a celadon green vase glows against a plain white background

There are people out there who can help you glue all the pieces together until your life is whole and beautiful. Find those you have a kinship with, people who believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, the ones who pop lovely fizzy beverages at your success, the ones who send you encouraging notes.

Early in my career, I discovered that the people who I thought would be my biggest cheerleaders weren’t. I’d tell them good news and then they would pick at me until I felt lousy. Not every voice around you is going to be helpful. These hurtful words sink into you.

I know it’s hard, but feel free to ask for what you need.

 

Journal prompts

·       Where do you think you can find supportive people? Take a peek at professional organizations, groups of women in your particular business, or mentoring alliances.

·       Who are your companions in power?

·       Listen to your body signals. Do you get headaches or nausea when a particular person talks to you? Do certain words or situations push you into a depression or leave you struggling to find your favorite self? Practice fear management.

 

One after another, her family spilled their disdain into her ears. With each blast of bitterness and anger, she shrunk deeper and deeper into herself until she felt like a hollow shell of a thing.

Like she had the day she ran away.

How was it that even from over a hundred miles away, they could still make her miserable? They could still make her feel like half a person? As less than?

The Dream Factory

 

www.LindaMercury.com