📚 Books to Read After The Awakening
Just finished the awakening? Here are 5 magical next reads curated just for you:
📘 Beloved by Toni Morrison
Rating: 3.84 / 5 (245,097 ratings), Published: 1987
When to read it: When you’re ready to dive into a haunting exploration of identity, memory, and the weight of the past.
Sethe, a former slave, continues to be haunted by the trauma of her past until a mysterious young woman enters her life. Morrison's lyrical prose weaves together themes of motherhood, freedom, and the enduring impact of history, leaving readers profoundly moved and contemplative.
Genres: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, African American Literature, Feminism
After reading: Readers will be left reflecting on the power of resilience, the complexities of love, and the long-lasting effects of both personal and collective history.
📘 The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Rating: 4.10 / 5 (1,318,484 ratings), Published: 1985
When to read it: For a chilling yet thought-provoking look at societal control, particularly in times of uncertainty.
In a dystopian world where women are stripped of their autonomy, Offred navigates a grim reality where she must navigate power dynamics, resistance, and her own sense of self. Atwood’s masterful storytelling delves deep into themes of oppression, agency, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Genres: Dystopian, Feminism, Political Fiction, Speculative Fiction
After reading: Readers will find themselves questioning societal norms, reflecting on the importance of agency, and feeling a renewed sense of determination to fight for freedom and justice.
📘 Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Rating: 3.57 / 5 (59,937 ratings), Published: 1966
When to read it: When you’re craving a reimagining that challenges traditional narratives and delves into complex character exploration.
This prequel to *Jane Eyre* unravels the backstory of Bertha Mason, the infamous "madwoman in the attic". Rhys beautifully captures the complexities of race, gender, and colonialism through the lens of Bertha’s story, offering a poignant and powerful counter-narrative to a classic tale.
Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Postcolonial Literature, Feminism
After reading: Readers will gain a deeper understanding of marginalized voices, grapple with the impact of colonial legacies, and appreciate the nuances of characters often relegated to the sidelines of traditional narratives.
📘 The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Rating: 4.06 / 5 (90,209 ratings), Published: 1892
When to read it: When you’re in need of a short, intense dive into the complexities of mental health and societal constraints on women.
Through a series of journal entries, a woman confined to a room by her physician husband unravels a haunting tale of psychological descent and resistance. Gilman’s chilling narrative critiques the treatment of women’s mental health in the 19th century, offering a powerful commentary on agency and autonomy.
Genres: Short Story, Feminism, Psychological Fiction, Classic Literature
After reading: Readers will feel a mix of empathy and outrage, pondering the impact of patriarchal systems on women’s bodies and minds, and considering the importance of agency in reclaiming one’s narrative.
📘 The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Rating: 4.20 / 5 (492,427 ratings), Published: 1982
When to read it: When you’re ready for a deeply moving exploration of resilience, sisterhood, and the power of personal transformation.
Through the letters and experiences of Celie, a young African American woman in the early 20th century, Walker weaves a tapestry of pain, growth, and ultimately, redemption. Themes of love, liberation, and the bonds of female friendship resonate throughout this unforgettable novel, offering a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Genres: Literary Fiction, African American Literature, Feminism, Epistolary
After reading: Readers will be left feeling a profound sense of empathy, witnessing the enduring power of love and solidarity in the face of adversity, and recognizing the importance of finding one’s voice and agency in the world.