Recs if you like A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy...

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)

Non-fiction titles which discuss a critical dismantling of what it means to be an evangelical Christian, especially with regard to the current political climate in the United States.

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.

most of these are focused on christianity as those are the books i have personally researched but many are applicable for other faiths as well. no one is required to deconstruct, but for those of us looking to read more, here is the place i’ve started.

NonFiction about and by people who were homeschooled or in nontraditional schooling, causing educational neglect and abuse, for some or all of their childhood and adolescence. These books feature, examine &/or deconstruct the systems and instances of harm that frequently occur in insular, high control educational environments.

🚨⚠️⚠️⚠️🚨 Huge & Varied Content Warnings ♡ Take care with your bodyminds ♡

In progress Pending additions in the twinned shelf Suggestions welcome!

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!

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.

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

books you might find helpful no matter where you are on your deconstruction path

The books when you feel like crying, want a sprinkle of existentialism or just staring at a wall while you go into a spiral.

stories about strong women going through hard times pls check for TWs before starting a book a mix of both fiction & nonfiction

Being raised in a super strict IFB household, surging years of abuse being justified by “biblical discipline “ has left me searching for books that leave me feeling more informed, and like I’m not alone in surviving toxicity. These books do just that.