Summary of Reviews

These reviews are about my own reactions and experiences, rather than academic dissection or professional critique. Click to a specific section, or browse away.

Books

Fiction

• Erotica & Pornography
• Menarche Stories

Non-Fiction

• Birth Control & Safer Sex
• Body, Biology & Health
• Grooming & Style
• Images
• Menstruation
• Sexuality & Sensuality

Products

Sexuality

• Lubricants
• Toys

Urination

• Pee Standing

Books: Fiction

Erotica & Pornography

• Lost Girls (2006), by Alan Moore, Melinda Gebbie (art)
  Beautiful, mind-blowing graphic novel that would make great first porn.

Menarche Stories

• Flowering Woman (1988), by Mary Dillon, Shinan Barclay, Elizabeth Manley (illus.)
  A positive menarche fantasy about a girl in an imaginary ancient culture.
• Sweet Secrets (1997), by Kathleen O'Grady, Paula Wansbrough
  Accurate and positive facts, plus diverse stories of first periods. Excellent!

Books: Non-Fiction

Birth Control & Safer Sex

• The Curious History of Contraception (1971), by Shirley Green
  A slightly outdated but entertaining history.
• Eve's Herbs (1999), by John M. Riddle
  An academic but intriguing history of birth control drugs, witchcraft, and women's knowledge.

Body, Biology & Health

• The Clitourist (2002), by Karen Salmansohn, Trisha Krauss (illus.), Annemarie Gilligan (design)
  A cute, stylish, under-informed guide to the clitoris.
• Skin Flutes & Velvet Gloves (2002), by Dr. Terri Hamilton
  Fun and interesting genital trivia from a sex educator who can write.
• Woman (1999), by Natalie Angier
  Brilliantly written, brilliantly interesting biology of women!

Grooming & Style

• Hot Pink (2004), by Deborah Driggs, Karen Risch
  A positive, detailed resource about pubic grooming techniques and styles.

Images

• Petals (2003), by Nick Karras
  Artful photos of vulvas in black and white. Erotic, educational, and beautiful.

Menstruation

• The Curse (1999), by Karen Houppert
  A one-sided but interesting investigation of menstrual taboos and the feminine hygiene industry.
• The Period Book (1996), by Karen Gravelle, Jennifer Gravelle
  A personal, positive book about periods, for girls. If only it covered alternative products.
• Red Flower (1988), by Dena Taylor
  Amateur feminist perspectives on cultural attitudes.

Sexuality & Sensuality

• Aphrodite (1999), by Isabelle Allende, Robert Shekter (illus.), Panchita Llona (recipes)
  A guest review of Allende's “erotic meanderings” about lust and food.
• The Cult of the Born-Again Virgin (1999), by Wendy Keller
  A celibate manifesto that tries to be positive but can't help being bitter.
• The Ethical Slut (1997), by Dossie Easton, Catherine A. Liszt
  Skills and concepts for polyamory… that apply to every relationship.
• Sex For One (1996), by Betty Dodson, Ph.D.
  The classic tale of masturbation activism, with take-home tips.
• The Woman's Around The House Guide To Masturbation (2004), by Tina Hess
  Ideas for using household objects as sex toys, with some limitations.
• Women, Passion & Celibacy (1993), by Sally Cline
  Interesting ideas and politics from an angry, dogmatic author.

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Products: Sexuality

Lubricants

• O'My Flavors Natural Lubricant, from O'My Products Inc.
  “All-natural,” but nearly indistinguishable from any good glycerin lube.
• Super Stroke It!, from Earth's Herbal Products
  An all natural, tingly, oil-based lube that rocks my world. A lot.

Toys

• Lisa Sparxxx 24K Gold Full Color Love Baton, from XXXGlass
  A slim, colourful, double-ended Pyrex dildo.

Products: Urination

Pee Standing

• Pee-Zee, from Pee-Zees
  A reusable, folded plastic trough for women who want to pee standing.

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