YSK: bell hooks’ The Will to Change is available for free at archive.org

Why YSK: For those looking for an introduction to feminist thought, bell hooks’ work is always remarkably both insightful and accessible, and The Will to Change is no exception. In a world where feminism and gender dynamics are so fiercely polemical and accusatory, I have found this work to be a breath of beautifully fresh air, approaching the topic with utter love and compassion. bell hooks frames masculinity as a social structure that often restricts men’s ability to fully experience and express love, vulnerability, and connection. She acknowledges the ways in which patriarchy harms men as well as women, inviting readers—especially men—to consider feminism as a tool for liberation, not blame.

For anyone who wants to better understand themselves, their relationships, and the broader impact of societal expectations on masculinity, The Will to Change is both eye-opening and healing. I highly recommend this work as a concise and thoughtful jumping-off point for you—or for the men you know—to more deeply understand what it means to be a man in today’s world. :)