6 books about Goth culture that you should really put on your reading list
We always need to keep ourselves as updated as we have to know the history of Goth fashion, style, and evolution. There are definitely a lot of books that are available on Goth fashion and the subculture. That is exactly why it can be confusing to read what when it comes to the Goth subculture. As we are all in quarantine, it’s fun to read a bit and update more and more about the culture. here are our top six recommendations that we think are essential to every Goth out there. Some of these are personally read and some are rated really highly on the chart by the loyal readers.
- Goth Culture: Gender, Sexuality, and Style by Dunja Brill
The book is although thought to cover a wide range of evolution in the subgenre including music, art, and dominant ideas. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that Brill greatly explores sexuality and its power relations in the subculture. He explains styling and how it comes under the bigger perspective of cultural norms.
2. Goth Undead Subculture edited by Lauren M.E. Goodlad and Michael Bibby
This one is quite an enigma and is a long read with quite an academic edge (if you are writing a paper, pick this to see if it covers your topic. More often than not, it will), it’s quite easy to navigate and is a collection of journals that are carefully curated to put a lot of intersectional topics in perspective.
3. Goth: Identity, Style and Subculture by Paul Hodkinson
The book would appeal more to the likes of people who are interest in how business is taken care of in the subculture, literally. Hodkinson draws quite a picture to buy, sell, and how the culture is produced and marketed. Think its interesting? It’s mostly open access.
4. The Goth Bible by Nancy Kilpatrick
A highly recommended on the reading list by Goths themselves, The Goth Bible pursues to teach what being Goth truly means. It has a lot of things, including history to the dark culture’s hubs, important centers, and addressing other concerns alongside it.
5. Gothic and Lolita edited by Katsukhiko Ishikawa
This text is rich with visual content as much as written content. Masayuki Yoshinaga is one of the leading Japanese fashion photographers who has carefully curated the images. The book explores the influence, reasons, and psycho-social context in which Goth culture is practiced in Japan.
6. Goth: The Design, Art and Fashion of a Dark subculture by Chris Roberts, Emma Baxter-Wright and Hywel Livingstone
If you are just looking for some fashion inspiration in the Goth culture without being told or reading about the culture, then this is a perfect pick. The book is narrowed down to the topic of fashion and the book sticks to it while doing a fantastic job at it.
These are some of our book recommendations for Goths. What are some of yours?