by Staci Haines
Seven Weeks to Better Sex by Domeena Renshaw, M.D. (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1995). A practical and clinical approach to common sexual problems from the American Medical Association.
Sex Over 40 by Saul Rosenthal (Tarcher, 1989). Advice for heterosexual couples.
Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman (HarperCollins, 1997). Emphasis on sexual technique.
Sexual Pleasure: Reaching New Heights of Sexual Arousal and Intimacy by Barbara Keesling, Ph.D. (Hunter House, 1993). Focuses on creating sexual intimacy.
Turn Ons: Pleasing Yourself While You Please Your Lover by Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D. (Plume/Penguin, 1998). A guide to enhancing sexual communication and creativity.
The Ultimate Guide to Strap-on Sex: A Resource for Men and Women by Karlyn Lotney (Cleis Press, 1999). Guide to using dildos and harnesses in sex.
WOMEN’S SEXUALITY
Are We Having Fun Yet? The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Sex by Marcia Douglass, Ph.D. and Lisa Douglass, Ph.D. (Hyperion, 1997). A feminist approach to sexual enhancement for women.
Becoming Orgasmic: A Sexual and Personal Growth Program for Women by Julia R. Heiman, Ph.D. and Joseph Lopiccolo, Ph.D. (Fireside/Simon and Schuster, 1988). Advice and a structured process of exploration for women who have never had an orgasm.
The Black Women’s Health Book edited by Evelyn C. White (Seal Press, 1994). African-American women write about health issues, including menopause, teenage sexuality and HIV.
Cunt Coloring Book by Tee Corinne (Last Gasp, 1989). Forty-two drawings of women’s genitals in a coloring book format.
The Erotic Lives of Women edited by Linda Troeller (Scallo, 1998). Interviews and photos of thirty diverse women, focusing on personal arousal and pleasure.
Femalia edited by Joani Blank (Down There Press, 1993). Thirty-two full-color photographs of women’s genitals.
Forbidden Flowers by Nancy Friday (Simon and Schuster, 1975). A collection of women’s sexual fantasies.
For Each Other by Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D. (Signet/Penguin, 1984). For women who want to improve sexual intimacy with their partners.
For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality by Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D. (Signet/Penguin, 1975). A guide for women seeking to enhance their sexual experience; aimed at women who have never had an orgasm.
The G Spot: And Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality by Alice Kahn Ladas, Beverly Whipple and John D. Perry (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1982). Covers the anatomical and sexual specifics of the G-spot.
The Good Vibrations Guide to the G-Spot by Cathy Winks (Down There Press, 1998). Tips on G-spot stimulation and female ejaculation.
In the Garden of Desire: Women’s Sexual Fantasies as a Gateway to Passion and Pleasure by Wendy Maltz and Suzie Boss (Broadway/Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1997). Fantasies as a source of sexual power and enhanced self-image; includes information on changing unwanted fantasies.
Lesbian Passion: Loving Ourselves and Each Other by Joann Loulan (Spinster’s Ink, 1987). A guide to increasing self-esteem and intimacy; includes a section for abuse survivors.
The Lesbian Sex Book by Wendy Caster (Alyson, 1993). Covers all aspects of lesbian sexuality in an A to Z format.
My Secret Garden by Nancy Friday (Simon and Schuster, 1998). A collection of women’s sexual fantasies.
The New Ourselves, Growing Older: Women Aging with Knowledge and Power by Paula B. Doress-Worters and Diana Laskin Siegal (Touchstone/Simon and Schuster, 1994). A health guide for women over forty, with information on sex and menopause.
A New View of a Woman’s Body by The Federation of Feminist Women’s Health Centers (Feminist Health Press, 1995). A comprehensive guide to sexual health with illustrated anatomical information.
Our Bodies, Ourselves: For the New Century by the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective (Touchstone/Simon and Schuster, 1998). The classic guide to women’s health; updated and revised.
The Sexuality of Latinas edited by Norma Alarcon, Ana Castillo and Cherrie Moraga (Third Woman Press, 1993). Essays and prose in English and Spanish.
Susie Sexpert’s Lesbian Sex World by Susie Bright (Cleis Press, 1990, 1998). Classic and new essays on lesbian sex.
The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women by Tristan Taormino (Cleis Press, 1997). Advice for women interested in exploring anal eroticism.
The Whole Lesbian Sex Book: A Passionate Guide for All of Us by Felice Newman (Cleis Press, 1999). Information and support for all women who love women—lesbian and bisexual, partnered and single, young and old, transgendered and traditionally gendered, sexually experienced and new to sexual exploration.
A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Sexual Fear and Pain by Aurelie Jones Goodwin, Ed.D. and Marc E. Agronin, M.D. (New Harbinger Publications, 1997). A workbook offering guidance in overcoming roadblocks to sexual pleasure.
The Woman’s Guide to Sex on the Web by Anne Semans and Cathy Winks (HarperSanFrancisco, 1999). A thorough guide to woman-friendly sex information, products, services and chat on the Web.
Women on Top by Nancy Friday (Simon and Schuster, 1991). A collection of women’s sexual fantasies.
Women Who Love Sex by Gina Ogden, Ph.D. (Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster, 1995). An intelligent, feminist approach to sexual enhancement for women.
MALE SEXUALITY
Men in Love by Nancy Friday (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1981). A collection of men’s sexual fantasies.
Men Loving Men: A Gay Sex Guide and Consciousness Book by Mitch Walker (Gay Sunshine Press, 1997). A guide covering all aspects of gay male sexuality.
The Multi-Orgasmic Man: How Any Man Can Experience Multiple Orgasms and Dramatically Enhance His Sexual Relationship by Mantak Chia and Douglas Abrams Arava (HarperSanFrancisco, 1996). Incorporates Eastern and Western sexual techniques.
The New Male Sexuality: The Truth About Men, Sex and Pleasure by Bernie Zilbergeld, Ph.D. (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1992). Advice on overcoming male sexual concerns and enhancing communication.
Sexual Solutions: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them by Michael Castleman (Simon and Schuster, 1989). A thorough sex manual which includes a chapter for men whose partners have been raped.
CHILDREN AND TEENS
All About Sex: A Family Resource on Sex and Sexuality by Planned Parenthood (Three Rivers Press/Crown, 1997). A reference on sex and sexual health.
Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: A Book for Teens on Sex and Relationships by Ruth Bell (Vintage, 1988). A thorough, inclusive guide.
The First Time: What Parents and Teenage Girls Should Know About Losing Your Virginity by Karen Bouris (Conari Press, 1995). First-hand accounts from a number of women, with both positive and negative perceptions.
How Sex Works by Elizabeth Fenwick and Richard Walker (Dorling Kindersley, 1996). Advice and information for teens.
It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris (Candlewick Press, 1996). Information on sexual health and self-esteem for kids ages seven to fourteen.
Just Say Yes/Di Que Si by The Coalition for Positive Sexuality (The Coalition for Positive Sexuality, 1998). Explicit advice on AIDS, STDs, pregnancy, homosexuality and self-esteem for teens. In English or Spanish.
A Kid’s First Book About Sex by Joani Blank (Down There Press, 1983). Information for kids age seven and up.
La Menstruacion by Joann Gardner-Loulan, Bonnie Lopez and Marcia Quackenbush (Parramon, 1991). Spanish language version of Period; a guide to menstruation for adolescent girls.
Period by Joann Gardner-Loulan, Bonnie Lopez and Marcia Quackenbush (Volcano Press, 1991). Guide to menstruation for adolescent girls.
The Period Book: Everything You Don’t Want to Ask But Need to Know by Karen and Jennifer Gravelle (Walker and Company, 1996). A guide for girls about the physical, emotional, and social changes that accompany puberty.
Talking With Your Child About Sex: Questions and Answers for Children from Birth to Puberty by Dr. Mary Calderone and Dr. James Ramey
(Ballantine Books, 1994). Examples of children’s sex questions with suggested answers.
What’s Happening to My Body? A Book for Boys by Lynda Madaras (Newmarket Press, 1988). For adolescents and their parents.
What’s Happening to My Body? A Book for Girls by Lynda Madaras (Newmarket Press, 1988). For adolescents and their parents.
MASTURBATION
First Person Sexual edited by Joani Blank (Down There Press, 1996). An anthology of first-hand masturbation accounts from women and men.
I Am My Lover: Women Pleasure Themselves edited by Joani Blank (Down There Press, 1997). Photos and essays about female masturbation.
The Joy of Solo Sex by Dr. Harold Litten (Factor Press, 1993). Teaches masturbation techniques and sex-positivity for men.
Sex For One by Betty Dodson (Three Rivers Press/Crown, 1996). Teaches masturbation techniques and sex-positivity for women.
Solitary Pleasures: The Historical, Literary and Artistic Discourses of Autoeroticism by Paula Bennett and Vernon Rosario (Routledge, 1995). The history of masturbation.
EASTERN APPROACHES TO SEXUALITY
Acupressure for Lovers: Secrets of Touch for Increasing Intimacy by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D. (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1997). Combines Eastern and Western techniques.
The Art of Sexual Ecstasy: The Path of Sacred Sexuality for Western Lovers by Margo Anand (Tarcher, 1991). Combines contemporary techniques with ancient Tantric and Taoist practices.
The Illustrated Kama Sutra translated by Sir Richard Burton (Park Street Press/Inner Traditions, 1991). Excerpts from the classic Indian love texts, with illustrations.
Passion Play: Ancient Secrets for a Lifetime of Health and Happiness Through Sensational Sex by Felice Dunas, Ph.D. with Philip Goldberg (Riverhead Books/Penguin, 1997). Holistic guidance on sexual healing, seduction and harnessing Chi energy.
Sacred Sex by Jwala (Mandala, 1993). An illustrated guide to Tantric sex.
Tantra: A Guide to Conscious Loving by Charles and Caroline Muir (Mercury House, 1989). Teaches heterosexual couples to increase intimacy using sexual energy.
Tantric Massage: An Illustrated Manual for Meditative Sexuality by Kenneth Ray Stubbs (Secret Garden Press, 1993). Erotic massage techniques.
EROTICA ANTHOLOGIES
Best American Erotica 1997 edited by Susie Bright (Simon and Schuster, 1997). Annual Series. Selected stories from female and male authors.
Best Gay Erotica edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis Press, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). Annual Series. Selected gay stories.
Best Lesbian Erotica edited by Tristan Taormino (Cleis Press, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). Annual Series. Selected lesbian stories.
The Book of Eros: Arts and Letters from Yellow Silk edited by Lily Pond and Richard Russo (Crown/Random House, 1995). Selected writings from an erotic literary journal specializing in “all persuasions, no brutality.”
Dark Eros: Black Erotic Writings edited by Reginald Martin, Ph.D. (St. Martin’s Press, 1997). Writings by African, African-American, Latin-American, and Carribean-American authors; a sequel to Erotique Noire.
The Ecstatic Moment: The Best of Libido edited by Marianna Beck and Jack Hafferkamp (Delta/Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1997). Writings from the erotic literary magazine.
The Erotic Edge: 22 Erotic Stories for Couples edited by Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D. (Plume/Penguin, 1994). Stories written specifically for monogamous heterosexual couples.
Erotique Noire: Black Erotica edited by Miriam Decosta-Willis, Reginald Martin and Roseann P. Bell (Anchor/Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1992). Writings by African, African-American, Latin-American, and Carribean-American authors.
Friction edited by Gerry Kroll (Alyson Publications, 1998). An anthology of gay male writing.
The Gates of Paradise edited by Alberto Manguel (Macfarlane Walter and Ross, 1993). Literary selections by well-known authors.
Happily Ever After: Erotic Fairy Tales for Men edited by Michael Ford (Masquerade, 1996). Reworkings of classic fairy tales featuring gay male eroticism.
The Literary Companion to Sex edited by Fiona Pitt-Kethley (Random House, 1992). Erotic writings from the Bible to modern masters.
The Mammoth Book of Erotica edited by Maxim Jakubowski (Carroll and Graf, 1994). Selected writings with a hard edge, by famous authors.
Nerve: Literate Smut edited by Genevieve Field and Rufus Griscom (Broadway Books, 1998). Fiction, essays and photos from the online erotica magazine.
The New Olympia Reader edited by Maurice Girodias (Blue Moon Books, 1993). Literary selections by well-known authors.
On a Bed of Rice: An Asian American Erotic Feast edited by Geraldine Kudaka (Anchor, 1995). Writings by Asian-American authors.
Once Upon a Time: Erotic Fairy Tales for Women edited by Michael Ford (Masquerade, 1996). Reworkings of classic fairy tales featuring lesbian eroticism.The Pearl: Erotica from the Underground Magazine of Victorian England edited by Anonymous (Grove Press, 1968). An anthology of classic, anonymous writing.
The Pearl: Erotica from the Underground Magazine of Victorian England edited by Anonymous (Grove Press, 1968). An anthology of classic anonymous writing.
Seven Hundred Kisses: A Yellow Silk Book of Erotic Writing edited by Lily Pond (HarperSanFrancisco, 1997). Selected writings from an erotic literary journal specializing in “all persuasions, no brutality.”
Sex Spoken Here: Good Vibrations Erotic Reading Circle Selections edited by Carol Queen and Jack Davis (Down There Press, 1998). Submissions from an erotica writing group.
Sex Toy Tales edited by Cathy Winks and Anne Semans (Down There Press, 1998). Stories focus on the pleasures of sex toys.
Switch Hitters: Lesbians Write Gay Male Erotica and Gay Men Write Lesbian Erotica edited by Carol Queen and Lawrence Schimel (Cleis Press, 1996). Selected homoerotic stories.
Under the Pomegranate Tree: The Best New Latino Erotica edited by Ray Gonzalez (Washington Square Press/Simon and Schuster, 1996). Writings by Latino authors.
WOMAN-AUTHORED EROTICA
Black Feathers: Erotic Dreams by Cecelia Tan (HarperPerennial, 1998). A collection of futuristic short stories.
Behind Closed Doors by Alina Reyes (Grove Press, 1994). A novel featuring taboo-breaking sex from both a male and a female perspective.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice writing as A.N. Roquelaure (N.A.L./Penguin, 1990). An erotic revision of the traditional fairy tale, with emphasis on dominance and submission.
Deep Down: The New Sensual Writing by Women edited by Laura Chester (Faber and Faber, 1988). Literary selections.
Delta of Venus by Anais Nin (Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster, 1969). Classic short story collection.
Doc and Fluff by Pat Califia (Alyson Publications, 1996). A dystopian novel about S/M lesbians.
Eat Me by Linda Jaivin (Broadway Books, 1998). A humorous novel about the sexual exploits of four women friends.
Emmanuelle by Emmanuelle Arson (Grove Press, 1971). A novel about a woman’s sexual awakening.
Erotic Interludes: Tales Told by Women edited by Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D. (Plume/Penguin, 1995). An anthology.
Herotica edited by Susie Bright (Down There Press, 1988). The first in a series featuring women-authored erotica.
The Leather Daddy and the Femme by Carol Queen (Cleis Press, 1998). A novel about a bisexual woman exploring genderbending and power play.