Rachel Kramer Bussel sent me a signed copy of Best Sex Writing 2010
This book is filled with pieces about sex that were mostly first published elsewhere in late 2008 through 2009, but I’d only had the opportunity to read 2 out of 25 of them before. And one of those is one of my favorite pieces of all time. There is a wide variety of subject material and voices in this book and every piece is well written. I loved some, liked others, and hated a few. But I believe that writing should make you feel things so I wasn’t upset at the couple stories that I found problems with. I didn’t hate them because they were poorly written. I hated them because I didn’t like the thought process, the voice being used, or the subject matter. It’s a different way of thinking, one that is at odds with my own.
There are stories that are titillating, ones that are scientific and informative, others that work to change your perspective on society, one that I found offensive, another that analyzes popular literature – Twilight, stories that explore sexuality and parenthood, a shocking story about AIDS, explorations into race and some into BDSM, talk of teens’ sexual habits, an instruction manual for Obama on how to change sex ed in America, one author plays with language and it’s meanings, and another tells the story of a strange 3some or maybe it was a 4some with a fake vagina. The theme that links them all together is “sexual outlaw.” They all test the limits in one way or another.
I found the book to be very enjoyable and intelligent. Each article was well chosen although I’m not sure that I felt a real flow to the way that they were organized. It seemed more like there were a few serious pieces broken up by a titillating piece, rinse, repeat. But, I’m not sure I could come up with a better formula.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the cover. It looks like a standard erotica cover, but the book is not really erotica. This was addressed in the beginning by Rachel. She stated that she found the work to be titillating even though it is not an outright erotica book. I agree, obviously. However, I don’t even like erotica book covers personally. This is all very selfish though. I like to read during my morning and evening commutes and sometimes on my lunch hour. I prefer the dirty little secret of reading erotica or sexy stuff when no one knows. But if they know then it is just somewhat embarrassing because I share my commute with several coworkers. I really need some fun book covers.
I highly recommend this book for expanding your mind on sex and sexuality. Pick up a copy at Amazon or support your local bookstore. Or support my local bookstore.
