Esquire just released a listicle enumerating the “80 Books Every Man Should Read.” That’s fine. This is a men’s magazine appealing to men so the creatures whom their list is intended for is every man. They even admitted that their list is “…unranked, incomplete, and utterly biased.” Supposedly, this list is culled from someone’s idea of the greatest literature available to readers.
But, goddamn, Esquire! Eighty books and only one female writer?
So, in order to balance things out, another list arrived via Flavorwire: “28 Feminist Writers Recommend Books Every Man Should Read.” Okay, bro, if you’re counting, that’s 108 books, including these great selections…
I Love Myself When I Am Laughing… and Then Again When I Am Looking Mean and Impressive, A Zora Neale Hurston Reader
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
Check out the full list to read why feminists like Jazmine Hughes of Hairpin, Ann Powers of NPR, and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of Rookie recommend them!
Images via Goodreads, Tumblr, Flavorwire
