What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCommunion
bell hooks · Book · 2021
If you loved Communion, start with Belle (Mamoru Hosoda, 2021) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Communion across media.
What hooked you in Communion is the way it examines how we cultivate emotional liberation and authentic intimacy within our lives.
Films on the same thread
Belle
Mamoru Hosoda · Film · 2021
Explores: Grief and Loss, Finding Your Voice, Identity and Self-Discovery.
Much like the journey toward self-love in Communion, this film explores the process of finding your voice and reclaiming your identity after experiencing deep personal loss and grief.
Amélie
Jean-Pierre Jeunet · Film · 2001
Explores: kindness, secret admirer, finding joy in the mundane.
If you appreciated the focus on intentional connection in Communion, you will value how this story highlights the profound impact that individual kindness has on creating shared happiness.
If Beale Street Could Talk
Barry Jenkins · Film · 2018
Explores: Racial injustice, Wrongful imprisonment, Love against adversity.
This film mirrors the commitment to love against adversity found in Communion, illustrating how the bonds between people remain a radical act of resistance against systemic injustice.
Love, Simon
Greg Berlanti · Film · 2018
Explores: Coming Out, First Love, Identity.
The struggle for honesty in relationships depicted here reflects the core challenge presented in Communion, where the search for intimacy requires the courage to be truly seen.
Series on the same thread
Modern Love
John Carney · Series · 2019
Explores: love in the city, modern relationships, interconnected stories.
Just as Communion challenges us to rethink our interpersonal dynamics, this anthology explores the complexities of modern love and the various ways we navigate our human connections.
Sex and the City
Darren Star · Series · 1998
Explores: Female Friendship, Dating in the City, Single Life.
The central importance of female friendship as a support system in this show resonates with the themes of communal growth and emotional liberation championed in Communion.
Sex Education
Laurie Nunn · Series · 2019
Explores: Sexual Awakening, Teenage Angst, Social Awkwardness.
This series encourages a candid exploration of sexual awakening and relationship dynamics, echoing the invitation in Communion to dismantle conditioning and pursue a more authentic emotional life.
Community
Dan Harmon · Series · 2009
Explores: Community, Friendship, Self-Discovery.
The way these characters build a chosen family reflects the importance of community and deep interpersonal intimacy that serves as a cornerstone for the philosophy in Communion.
Podcasts on the same thread
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb, TODAY · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human resilience, Emotional healing, Self-discovery.
This podcast mirrors the reflective nature of Communion by centering on human resilience and the ongoing journey of self-discovery required to heal and thrive in one's life.
Relationships
Elijah Hamilton · Podcast · 2025
Explores: interpersonal relationships, emotional wellbeing, self-improvement.
This program provides a practical extension of the ideas in Communion, offering focused discussions on interpersonal relationships and the emotional wellbeing necessary for healthy personal growth.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Communion part of a series by bell hooks?
Yes, Communion is authored by bell hooks, who also wrote the book All About Love. Both works explore themes of love and human connection, reflecting the author's consistent focus on these subjects throughout her writing career.
What is the primary message of Communion by bell hooks?
Communion challenges women to view the search for love as a courageous and heroic journey. The book posits that claiming this journey is a necessary step for women to achieve true freedom and personal fulfillment.
Is Communion by bell hooks considered a bestseller?
Yes, Communion is a New York Times bestseller. It has received critical recognition, including praise from Maya Angelou, who noted that she makes a point to visit the bookshop when a new work by bell hooks is released.
How does bell hooks describe the tone of Communion?
The tone of Communion is described as intimate, revealing, and provocative. The book encourages readers to engage with the text by courageously claiming their own search for love as a vital part of their personal growth and liberation.