Love this list -- have read and been influenced by many of the books, especially Matriarchal Societies of the Past and the Rise of Patriarchy and the selections in the Spirituality and Herstory section. One addition would be The Heroine's Journey, by Maureen Murdock -- she offers a feminist critique of the archetypical Hero's Journey from a Jungian perspective.
And if I may, I would humbly suggest another addition... my own historical fiction offerings, She Who Rides Horses and the sequel, recently published, A Clan Chief's Daughter. These are the first two books in a trilogy that takes place in the steppes of modern-day Ukraine and southern Russia, circa 4,000 BCE -- exactly when and where patriarchy emerged among the pastoralist tribes who first domesticated the horse. The story draws on many of the sources noted in Nergiz's reading list, but came to me, first and foremost, as an inspired gift, desiring to be made manifest. Naya is the daughter of a clan chief, constrained by the structures of an emerging patriarchal society, but called by the wild filly she befriends to be in a relationship of trust and partnership, rather than domination and control.
I'm a former academic historian -- the details of the story are as historically accurate as possible based on all the latest research, including ancient DNA evidence -- but the story itself is Naya's, given to me to tell. I feel a tremendous responsibility to help the books find their way in the world. The past has so much to teach us -- to remind us -- about what's possible in the future, if only we recognize that we can choose a different way...
Thank you for this amazing reading list. Just need to prioritize based on what speaks to my heart at this moment. Summer reading is the best!
Also, a book that changed the trajectory of my life and continues to be transformative as I use it as a reference is “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Understanding the interconnectedness of all things- human and more-than-human persons- changes everything. Knowing fungi and trees and wildlife are sentient beings is powerful. Having an open mind, open hands and open heart with this knowledge makes life’s journey so worthwhile. And it further supports the need for a matriarchal society based on love, compassion, reciprocity, justice and inclusion.
I’ve preordered your book, Nergiz, and subscribed to your Substack and am thrilled to be on this journey together with like-minded souls. Together we’ve got this. 💕
Thank you so much for your work assembling this list. This is my new syllabus. The act of fate that lead me to reading Clarissa Pinkola Estes when I was 12 changed the trajectory of my life. Can’t wait to dive into these others.
Love this list -- have read and been influenced by many of the books, especially Matriarchal Societies of the Past and the Rise of Patriarchy and the selections in the Spirituality and Herstory section. One addition would be The Heroine's Journey, by Maureen Murdock -- she offers a feminist critique of the archetypical Hero's Journey from a Jungian perspective.
And if I may, I would humbly suggest another addition... my own historical fiction offerings, She Who Rides Horses and the sequel, recently published, A Clan Chief's Daughter. These are the first two books in a trilogy that takes place in the steppes of modern-day Ukraine and southern Russia, circa 4,000 BCE -- exactly when and where patriarchy emerged among the pastoralist tribes who first domesticated the horse. The story draws on many of the sources noted in Nergiz's reading list, but came to me, first and foremost, as an inspired gift, desiring to be made manifest. Naya is the daughter of a clan chief, constrained by the structures of an emerging patriarchal society, but called by the wild filly she befriends to be in a relationship of trust and partnership, rather than domination and control.
I'm a former academic historian -- the details of the story are as historically accurate as possible based on all the latest research, including ancient DNA evidence -- but the story itself is Naya's, given to me to tell. I feel a tremendous responsibility to help the books find their way in the world. The past has so much to teach us -- to remind us -- about what's possible in the future, if only we recognize that we can choose a different way...
PS -- I've also pre-ordered your book, Nergiz, and follow your posts.
Thank you for this amazing reading list. Just need to prioritize based on what speaks to my heart at this moment. Summer reading is the best!
Also, a book that changed the trajectory of my life and continues to be transformative as I use it as a reference is “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Understanding the interconnectedness of all things- human and more-than-human persons- changes everything. Knowing fungi and trees and wildlife are sentient beings is powerful. Having an open mind, open hands and open heart with this knowledge makes life’s journey so worthwhile. And it further supports the need for a matriarchal society based on love, compassion, reciprocity, justice and inclusion.
I’ve preordered your book, Nergiz, and subscribed to your Substack and am thrilled to be on this journey together with like-minded souls. Together we’ve got this. 💕
Wonderful list. I’d add “The Patriarchs” by Angela Saini. It’s a phenomenal expression of the difference between patriarchy and matriarchy.
Thank you so much for your work assembling this list. This is my new syllabus. The act of fate that lead me to reading Clarissa Pinkola Estes when I was 12 changed the trajectory of my life. Can’t wait to dive into these others.
*me in the middle of rising strong and the dance of anger adding books to my tbr* thank you for the recs!! Always learning, love this
Tried to pre order. Love your work and reading list. I don't know how to use the order system.