Just in time for the new year, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite sex and relationship related books that I have read this year. This will be a multiple post article, so let’s start you off with three beautiful books that can help you deepen your connection to yourself and others:
Urban Tantra – Barbara Carellas (forward by Annie Sprinkle)
If you ever thought there must be more to sex than stumbling around in the dark, this book is for you. Tantra is not just complicated sex positions, it is a whole way of experiencing touch and intimacy that incorporate our entire senses and connect us with ourselves and others on a deeper level. Barbara Carellas provides an amazing introduction to the world of tantra that anyone can incorporate into their busy lives, even including ideas for 15-minute exercises you can do at home. Carellas’ casual writing style and the countless examples she gives from her personal life is really what takes this book to the next level for me, and makes it such a great read that you can keep on your bookshelf forever. (Shout out to Other Nature, Berlin, where I first saw this gem).
Orgasms for Two – Betty Dodson, PhD
Betty Dodson is a fabulous, fabulous person, a talented artist, and a die-hard champion of female masturbation. This book is filled with great stories, creative ideas for the bedroom, and beautiful illustrations. A friend of mine recently discovered this book in my library and has been having a good ole’ time reading it with her husband. Unfortunately, paperback copies are hard to find, but kindle and ebook or borrowing from your local library are great options. (Shout out to Smitten Kitten, Minneapolis, where I first borrowed this book from).
Daring Greatly – Brene Brown Ph.D, LMSW
Vulnerability is an essential part of intimacy, yet it is something we often try to avoid or overlook. In this book Brene Brown gives us the tools and motivations to embrace vulnerability, imperfection, and live our lives more courageously with higher enjoyment and fulfillment. This is a great book for anyone interested in living their life more fully and letting go of shame and stifling patterns in relationship, work, family, and more. If you want a preview of what will be in this book, you can check out Brown’s Ted talk on “The power of vulnerability”, which should give you a pretty good idea if this is a topic you’d want to read more about. (Shoutout to Dawn Serra and her podcast “Sex Gets Real” for introducing me to Brene Brown).
Cuddle up with a book and let us know what you think! Do you have any favorite books you’d recommend? We would love to hear from you. Till next time…
The Intimate Edge 