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Becoming A Disgustingly Educated Person
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items You want a book that will turn you into the person in the room who knows things — the one who’s impossible to patronise, who can hold her own in any conversation, and who understands history, power, systems, and herself. Here’s a list of 17 books acr...
Sections
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🧠 Foundational Thinking & Big Ideas
📜 Power, Politics, and Systems
🧬 Science, Tech & Rational Thinking
📚 Literature That Expands Empathy & Perspectiv
Personal Power & Self-Mastery
🧠 Foundational Thinking & Big Ideas
Why Read?- Because it’s the original manifesto on women, independence, and intellectual power. Woolf’s essay will make you question how much of “genius” is just privilege — and push you to claim your space unapologetically.
A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf, Paperback
WhyRead? The cornerstone of modern feminism. It’s dense but brilliant — understanding how womanhood is constructed (not innate) gives you a language to dissect sexism wherever it hides.
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir, Paperback
Why Read? A crash course in why the world is the way it is. It reframes human history beyond individuals and shows you how geography, biology, and power shaped civilization.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
Why Read? If you want to think like an intellectual, you need the macro view. Harari connects anthropology, economics, psychology, and evolution — and shows how stories shape reality.
Sapiens [Tenth Anniversary Edition]: A Brief History of Humankind
Why Read? Because understanding evolution is fundamental to biology, medicine, and even culture. Plus, reading primary texts will set you apart from people who only know the summaries.
The Origin of The Species
📜 Power, Politics, and Systems
Why Read? This novel flips gender dynamics on their head — women suddenly have physical dominance. It’s a thought experiment in power, morality, and systems that will sharpen your sociopolitical thinking.
The Power by Naomi Alderman, Paperback
Why Read? It will make you furious — and unstoppable. You’ll see how “neutral” design is anything but, and how gender bias is baked into everything from healthcare to city planning.
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Why Read? A cornerstone of second-wave feminism and a historical text that shows how far we’ve come — and how subtle systemic control can be.
The Feminine Mystique (50th Anniversary Edition)
Why read? Because you should understand how political institutions shape wealth, poverty, and freedom — and how power is maintained or lost.
Why Nations Fail: Origins of Power & Poverty
Why read? The ultimate manual on power dynamics. Even if you disagree with it, knowing how people think about power is essential if you want to wield or challenge it.
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli, Paperback
🧬 Science, Tech & Rational Thinking
Why Read? A powerful intersection of science, ethics, race, and bodily autonomy. It’s a must-read for understanding modern medicine — and who’s been exploited to build it.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, Paperback
Why Read? This will rewire how you think about thinking. Understanding cognitive biases makes you a better decision-maker, debater, and leader.
Daniel Kahneman-Thinking, Fast and Slow.pdf
Why Read? Written by a woman who changed global environmental policy — this is a masterclass in science communication, courage, and impact.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, Paperback
📚 Literature That Expands Empathy & Perspectiv
Why Read? To truly be “educated,” you need to grapple with the human experience — not just ideas. Morrison’s prose is breathtaking and her portrayal of trauma, history, and motherhood is unforgettable.
Beloved (Beloved Trilogy, #1) by Toni Morrison
Why Read? Don’t underestimate it. Beneath the romance is a sharp social commentary on class, gender, and agency. Austen teaches you to read between the lines — a vital skill in life.
Pride and Prejudice (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions) by Jane Austen ...
Why Read? A chilling exploration of how quickly rights can vanish — and how control over women’s bodies is political power in its rawest form. A must for political literacy.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, Paperback
Personal Power & Self-Mastery
Why Read? Because knowledge isn’t just external — it’s also internal. This is about reclaiming instinct, creativity, and feminine power through myth and psychology. It’s poetic, deep, and transformative
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés