Recommended Reading

Daughters of the Moon, Sisters of the Sun: Young Women and Mentors on the Transition to Womanhood by K. Wind Hughes and Linda Wolf. New Society Publishers, 1997.

Profiles some of the girls in the program, their lives and experiences, plus their interactions with various older women. Most highly recommended.

In Praise of Women edited by Jonathan Meader. Celestial Arts, 1997.

A coffee-table book with splendid photographs of artwork which depicts women and Goddesses, along with eloquent quotations. Highly recommended.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. Villard Books, 1998.

Based on the author's live performances which honor this important but usually-ignored body part; evocative and insightful. Recommended.

Polyamory, the New Love without Limits: Secrets of Sustainable Intimate Relationships by Deborah M. Anapol. Intinet Resource Center, 1997.

While it explains the theory and practice of complex, multi-partner human relationships this book applies equally well to those in standard couples; it contains some of the best relationship tools and observations I've ever found. Highly recommended.

The Wise Wound: The Myths, Realities, and Meanings of Menstruation by Penelope Shuttle and Peter Redgrove. Grove Press, 1978/1986.

Probably the first book of its type, and still one of the best; features an in-depth exploration of this aspect of women's lives, but also includes some insights concerning men. Highly recommended.

Lord of Light & Shadow: The Many Faces of the God by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 1997.

An in-depth examination of different God archetypes, many of which contain valuable insights on the mortal masculine as well. Highly recommended.

Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World by Carol S. Pearson. HarperCollins, 1991.

A guide to gender-neutral archetypes, but with a special section devoted to gender dynamics and other balances. Recommended.

The Male Couple: How Relationships Develop by David P. McWhirter, M.D. and Andrew M. Mattison, M.S.W., Ph.D. Prentice-Hall, 1984.

Somewhat dated, but still applicable; a detailed study of relationship evolution emphasizing the gay male couple yet relevant beyond. Includes a fascinating copy of the interview format used in researching this book. Recommended.

Men on Rape: What They Have to Say about Sexual Violence by Timothy Beneke. St. Martin's Press, 1982.

Very dark reading, but quite informative; features viewpoints of rapists, lovers and friends of rape survivors, lawyers, doctors, policemen, and an advocate for rape survivors. Regrettably this book pays little attention to male survivors of rape. Recommended.

The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets by Barbara G. Walker. HarperSanFrancisco, 1983.

A basic women's studies resource covering a wide range of cultures, topics, and times. Recommended.

Feminist Frontiers III by Laurel Richardson and Verta Taylor. McGraw-Hill, 1993.

One of my favorite textbooks from college women's studies classes; a great introduction to feminism as the radical idea that women are people. Recommended.

Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture by Julia T. Wood. Wadsworth Publishing, 1994.

Covers the theory and practice of gender studies with attention to male and female roles; another favorite college textbook. Recommended.

Hunger Pains: The Modern Woman's Tragic Quest for Thinness by Mary Pipher, Ph.D. Ballantine, 1995.

Describes the dangerous illusions of the diet industry and the narrow ideals of modern "mainstream" culture, with suggestions for improvements. Highly recommended.

RePresenting BiSexualities: Subjects and Cultures of Fluid Desire edited by Donald E. Hall and Maria Pramaggiore. New York University Press, 1996.

A collection of essays about Queer theory, cultural perspectives, and the nature of bisexual reality. Recommended.

Sex, Magic, and Spirit: Enlightenment through Ecstasy by Bonnie L. Johnston and Peter L. Schuerman. Llewellyn Publications, 1998.

Who says enlightenment is all work and no fun? This book explores the magical and spiritual aspects of sexuality and gender dynamics, with a selection of enjoyable exercises. Recommended.

Sex and Sensibility: Stories of a Lesbian Generation by Arlene Stein. University of California Press, 1997.

Explores the evolution and experience of Lesbian identities, including some sample interview questions and relevant statistics. Recommended.

Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape by Susan Brownmiller. Simon and Schuster, 1975.

Although slightly dated, much of the material remains current; the author covers various different kinds of rape, with some attention to male survivors as well as female survivors. Recommended.

"Recommended Reading" copyright 1996 Elizabeth Barrette.

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Art on this page is from the "Colorful Bubbles" set, at Rita's Bermans.

The URL for this page is http://www.worthlink.net/~ysabet/gsas/booklist.html and it was last updated on November 21, 1998.