ahhhhh hm.   Very few books on Disney or film if that’s what you’re looking for.    Books in general that I have found to be informative to my general viewpoint:

The Purity Myth by Jessica Valenti

• A good starter book about the virgin/whore dichotomy and, well, the myth of purity and how that affects us.

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

• An incredible book that really takes an in-depth approach to explaining exactly what the title describes.   Some of the stories in the book are so heartbreaking, but it’s definitely more than just a story collection.   It’s a call to action.

Cunt, by Inga Muscio

• one of my good friends really didn’t like it so it’s definitely polarizing.   I think it’s a good book through and it’s very interesting if perhaps not perfect.  I would rec reading the later edition

Taking Sides: Opposing Views on Controversial Issues in Anthropology by Mary Courtis

• I think this book is very approachable/easy to read and also incredibly fascinating.   It examines a lot of different issues and a lot of anthropological concepts that we’ve come to accept as “truth” when many times they’re actually outdated theories, like when it comes to biological reasons for/against monogamy, queerness, gender roles, etc.   I think it’s a really good read for feminists who have to deal with people’s pseudo-biological reasons for “things being the way they are.”   I think I can guarantee that reading this will change your outlook on things and make you more critical of the cultural messages that are presented to you.

Tonto and the Lone Ranger Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie

• It’s fiction, and humorous at times (and apparently based on Alexis’ life if I recall correctly?) but I think it’s one of many books that can really open your eyes to modern cultures that are (probably, depending on who you are) not our own (and how we can better be sensitive and aware of how we are discussing these cultures when we do discuss them). I had to read this for two different classes in college and found it illuminating both times.

So yeah… it’s hard to really give a great list because I’ve read a lot of books, both in my own time and for classes, and they’ve all informed my point of view.   If you’re more into fiction I have a lot of recommendations as well, but I would say to try and read up on experiences unlike your own.  You’ll never be able to fully understand what another human goes through, but by reading about life situations way different than your own you can pick up some of the nuances you might not have understood before and it becomes a little bit of the way you see the world.