Edited By: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Reviewed By: Jenne
If sex information was food, I’d never be able to diet, but the most interesting thing about sex to me is no matter how much I learn there is still more to be learned. My main diet consists of books about sex, and then if I’m lucky I get to sample some of the things I have read about.
So when Clies press gave me the opportunity to review the Best Sex Writing of 2013, the state of today’s sexual culture, which is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, I jumped at the chance and could soon be found in my favorite chair, devouring my new delicacy.
I really had little idea of what this book contained when I accepted the read, but I’m seriously glad I said yes. There is something for everyone in these 222 pages, no matter what you sexual orientation, profession or relationship status, it’s all covered here. The book itself is an easy, but interesting read.
For example, one of my favorite pieces was Notes from a Unicorn: The chapter itself details one guys very personal internal struggle over bisexuality and when and if to come out. It was a great read, and a very thought proving one for me. I maybe female, but I could certainly relate to this guys story in many ways. If one is bi where does one truly fit into society and is it even possible to do so?
As a sex toy reviewer, I seriously appreciated and lapped up the chapter where the author is allowed an intimate glimpse into the world that is JimmyJane vibrators. Ethan Imboden, the companies founder, makes some interesting points about the state of the sex toy industry today. As someone who is no stranger to the wide and often wonderful world of sex toys, I found this piece both refreshing and insightful. This went deeper than many of the articles and interviews I have read on the subject before, and I for one appreciated this greatly.
I began to look at this book as something of a buffet, rather than a ten course meal, as it is easily digest, and because of the way it is constructed, you can sample a chapter that titillates your senses, take some time to digest it, and then move onto another of the twenty chapters that this smorgasbord of sexual thoughts. interviews and articles consists of. Some of the pieces are more serious than others, such as the chapter entitled; All My Men Are Dead, which deals with the subject of HIV in a compassionate and personal way. While other chapters offer a glimpse into the world of sex today that is rarely seen by those on the outside. ‘Sex by Numbers,’ for example takes the reader into the world of polyamory and gives us a very different look at the lifestyle, than we will ever obtain by reading ,’mainstream’ media articles on the same subject.
Overall I loved this book! As I said before it has something to offer everyone’s appetite or at least whet it. It may make you question many of the things you ‘think’ you know about the state of our sexual culture today and in my mind that’s always a good thing!
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