one of my favorite things about pagebound is the diversity of all of us on here! it’s amazing to see everyone’s cultures reflected in the books we read and the lists we make, which has introduced me to so many great things i don’t know if i would’ve otherwise found.

in an effort to read more diversely in general, i would love to know an underrated book from your culture that you think deserves a spotlight! (also in an effort to selfishly expand my ever growing tbr :3 no, i will not be stopped!!!!)

edit: also it’s totally okay if your rec isn’t wholly “underrated.” it can be something underrated in a global context or on the pb community specifically. just whatever you think deserves a shout out, i’d love to hear about it!

Today is international women’s day or a way it’s said here which I prefer : feministischer Kampftag (feministic fight day)! Unfortunately we still live in a man made world and women and anyone who is not a man really still face systemic problems and there is still a long way to go. This aside, I wanted to ask you all about your favorite female (or even just not male) book characters, be it in fiction or non fiction.

Personally, the character of Elizabeth Zott from Lessons in chemistry made an impression. She is such a strong willed person who faces a lot of misogyny in her field and still always faces them cool and composed and just keeps going! Also Maomao from the apothecary diaries (who is a little unhinged sometimes) another woman with a deep passion for stem shocking man who underestimated her with her vast knowledge.

Hi everyone! ✨ For International Women’s Day, let’s share books that inspire, challenge, and expand our thinking about feminism.

What are your favorite feminist books, and why? (:

I’m looking for anything that questions patriarchy, critiques power, and imagines more just futures. They can be from any genre: fiction, non-fiction, essays, theory, memoir, fantasy, horror, poetry… anything that moves you or makes you think.

These books matter more than ever. Right now: ★ In Iran, nearly 180 schoolchildren were killed in the bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school. ★ In Mexico, 10 women are murdered every day for being women, and thousands of girls are sold into marriage. ★ In the US, the Epstein files expose global sexual exploitation of girls and young women, hidden beneath elite power. ★ In Gaza, women report being promised food, money, or work in exchange for sexual interactions. ★ In Sudan, women endure starvation, rape, and bombs while fleeing El Fasher.

These realities show why we need literature that teaches, challenges, and empowers.

Some examples of what I mean: ☆ Feminist theory ☆ Anti-patriarchal fiction ☆ Essays or political non-fiction ☆ Fantasy or horror that critiques gendered power ☆ Books about resistance, autonomy, and liberation

I’d especially love to hear works from diverse feminist perspectives, for example: ★ Marxist feminism ★ Anti-racist / intersectional feminism ★ Anti-colonial or decolonial feminism ★ Queer and trans-inclusive feminisms ★ Radical critiques of patriarchy

Here are some of my recent favorites to get us started: ☆ Fiction (horror): Woodworm by Layla Martínez 🖤; generational oppression, patriarchy, and abuse collide in this eerie, class-conscious story where women and ghosts fight for justice. ☆ Non-fiction: Career and Family by Claudia Goldin 📊✨; explores a century of women balancing careers and family, with data, examples, and insights that make systemic barriers real and relatable. ☆ Non-fiction: No son micro. Machismos cotidianos; shows how everyday jokes and microaggressions are part of a bigger patriarchal system, clear, sharp, and eye-opening. ☆ Memoir / True Crime: Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice 🌞; tells the story of Liliana Rivera Garza, her brilliance, autonomy, and the gender-based violence she faced, while demanding justice for her femicide/feminicide and celebrating her life. ☆ Fiction (historical/horror): Butcher by Joyce Carol Oates 🔪👩‍🦳; a chilling, immersive story set in a 19th-century women’s asylum where Dr. Silas Weir conducts grotesque experiments on women, fueled by obsession and unchecked ambition. Narrated by his eldest son, the novel blends historical fact and horror, exposing patriarchy, abuse, and the terrifying consequences of power gone wrong. ☆ Fiction (historical/magic): Weyward by Emilia Hart 🧙‍♀️🐦; across five centuries, three extraordinary women—Kate, Altha, and Violet—navigate abuse, societal limits, and dangerous legacies. From 17th-century witch trials to WWII estates to modern escapes, this story weaves female resilience, magic, and the natural world, showing how women survive, resist, and transform their destinies. Before reading please check the content warnings!

To everyone protesting today: stay safe and take care of each other ✊💜. Remember to bring your backpack with the essentials. :) To those who can’t or won’t go: we can still learn, read, discuss, and build community. Change grows through knowledge, conversation, and collective reflection.

💬 Let’s make this thread a living feminist reading list!

What books have challenged the way you think about patriarchy, exploitation, or power? Classics, hidden gems, fiction, theory… let’s hear it! (:

ETA: Updated formatting, wording, and added the real-world case examples I forgot to include before. (:

ETA 2: I just made a list with all your rec's in mind! It's called Girl Boss? More Like System-Buster #8M2026 (if you have a better name, pls tell me bc I don't know how to feel about this one, jeje) and you can find it here: https://pagebound.co/lists/e15f06fb-e2b4-44ca-aa24-d2874ce63e47. Pls keep them coming and I'll be updating the list!! 💜🔥🫶🏻

Something fun to do with zodiac signs and books!

Aries Sun: Favorite book protagonist Taurus Sun: A book that takes place in the wilderness Gemini Sun: A book/series with your favorite side character/supporting cast Cancer Sun: A favorite nonfiction Leo Sun: A guilty pleasure book Virgo Sun: Favorite book from when you were a kid Libra Sun: A coming of age book Scorpio Sun: A book others may not enjoy but you love Sagittarius Sun: A book on your TBR you can’t wait to read Capricorn Sun: Funniest book you’ve read Aquarius Sun: A book that hit you right in the feelings Pisces Sun: A book with a twist you did not see coming

Aries Moon: Favorite indie author Taurus Moon: A romance you can’t stop thinking about Gemini Moon: Favorite true crime/based on true events Cancer Moon: An author you will always buy Leo Moon: Favorite book with an adaptation Virgo Moon: A book with a protagonist over 30 Libra Moon: Favorite horror book Scorpio Moon: Favorite adventure book Sagittarius Moon: A palette cleanser book Capricorn Moon: Favorite science book Aquarius Moon: Favorite graphic novel Pisces Moon: Favorite book of poetry

Aries Rising: Favorite fairytale/mythology retelling Taurus Rising: A book by an author from another country Gemini Rising: A historical fiction book Cancer Rising: A must read Romance Leo Rising: Favorite sci-fi book Virgo Rising: A book that changed your views Libra Rising: Favorite cozy book Scorpio Rising: Longest book you’ve read (this year) Sagittarius Rising: Favorite speculative fiction Capricorn Rising: A book with your favorite MMC Aquarius Rising: Most unique world/magic system Pisces Rising: Favorite magical realism

I tried to vary genres as much as possible but I may have favored some of my go tos so feel free to tweak some!

I’ll go first! Gemini Sun (A book/series with your favorite side character/supporting cast): The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells (I love everyone but ART maybe my favorite supporting character) Sagittarius Moon (A palette cleanser book): The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Scorpio Rising (Longest book you’ve read): Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (1000+ pages/48hrs)

Mine is alienshe.

It’s one of my favorite songs from the punk band Bikini Kill but also I feel like an alien who was planted on this hell called earth. 👽🛸👾