Recs if you like Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church...

Fiction and non-fiction that examines how the Christian cultural hegemony and belief system has been co-opted as a tool of oppression and exploitation throughout history. Speculative works included, so long as the underlying narrative and commentary directly engages with some aspect of religious control as a primary theme. Always open to suggestions! (Please note that this List aims to critique Christianity as a worldwide institution, not to promote hate against individual practitioners)

Books where cults are a significant part of the narrative. Some fiction, some non-fiction.

Memoirs from people who either are or were in religious movements or cults of any kind. This is not anti-religion, and includes memoirs of people still in their religions, and I am ALWAYS looking for more - please offer suggestions.

Books to read before or after you read Yesteryear if you think the thoughts or ideas in the characters heads aren't realistic. Natalie is as loud as policies are in the United States.

I’ll exvangelize away here 🧐
A pile of non-fiction and memoirs helpful on the personal journey of deconstruction with all feels as well as critical reflections about (evangelical) fundamentalism, high control religion, Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS), Purity Culture, etc Deconstruction can be such a lonely journey, so I hope you’ll feel comforted by similar experiences! You’re not alone!

Nonfiction to read when you’re deconstructing your faith or seeking to understand why others have left religion. For novels exploring the topic, check out my list “Fiction with Themes of Religious Trauma”

Books that feature religious trauma, cults, or high control groups that I've read or are on my tbr

non-fiction and memoirs about cults and high control groups/religions. some of these are on my tbr, some are books I've already read

Books of various genres that make you feel "oooof" but also "we'll work out a way to get through, even if its not perfect"