Good love and good sex are born from putting in the necessary work to be successful in your relationships and in the bedroom. In addition the the talking, the listening and the radical empathy practicing, you can also still study up and find new ways to view love, sex and all the things in between. (Also, sex positions that hit all the right spots.)
Whether it’s trying to master how to balance your needs and those of your partner(s), understanding anatomy and erogenous zones or exploring all the ways dating and mating has evolved, there are a wealth of books exploring sex and relationships. Since we’re living in a moment where we’ve got a bit more time to dig into our to-read piles, why not take some time to study up on bodies and hearts and human sexuality?
To help you build out the sexiest library imaginable, here’s just a few fantastic reads on human sexuality, practical sex tips and romantic relationships (with a little bit of culture thrown in). Give ’em a read, talk about them with your partner(s) and friends and feel yourself become a more enlightened and informed sexual citizen.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
“Come As You Are” by Emily Nagoski Ph.D.
Covering what’s going on in the minds and bodies of women’s sex lives, Emily Nagoski’s book explores how that research can benefit you in the bedroom. Emphasizing how each person’s approach to sex and sexuality is unique and how the “context of everyday life” influences how we feel about and respond to sex, it’s an exciting non-judgemental approach to sex IRL.
“The Threesome Handbook: A Practical Guide to Sleeping With Three” by Vicki Vantoch
From sexuality historian and “threesome dabbler” Victoria Vantoch (who, fun fact: is married to Supernatural‘s Misha Collins) offers a guide to bringing the popular nonmonogamous fantasy of a threesome to life is a practical and real way. From positions and physical pro-tips to navigating the potential jealousy or complications polyamorous love, this book is a must for partners considering making room for a bit more love in their bedroom.
“Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence” by Esther Perel
For people in long-term relationships it can sometimes feel like you can’t teach a dog new tricks in a meaningful way, you know? Perel looks at the ways you can deepen your intimate, erotic and emotional bonds with your partner and appreciate the connections you’ve already made.
“Bonk” by Mary Roach
Answering your deep and probing sex questions — from mind-over-matter orgasms, libido enhancing drugs (where’s the female viagra at?) to whether a cadaver can get a hard-on — Mary Roach brings funny and conversation-starting energy to the science of sex.
“Becoming Cliterate” by Dr. Laurie Mintz
The orgasm gap can be deeply upsetting when you first read about it — ow it relates to our poor, pleasure-uninformed sex education or, particularly among heterosexual couples, how little one’s partner’s pleasure can matter to another. Psychology professor and human sexuality expert Dr. Laurie Mintz takes a look at all the moving parts in this issue and offers advice for all parties (and people with all parts) to level-up their clitoracy!
“The Penis Book” by Aaron Spitz., MD
What does it mean to have a healthy penis? From Dr. Aaron Spitz MD (of UC Irvine’s Department of Urology), “The Penis Book” explores everything from the science of erections to STIs and unpacks holistic ways to make sure you (or your partner) have the healthiest penis possible.
(If you have sex with penis-havers, it never hurts to understand what’s going on under the hood!)
“Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good” by adrienne maree brown
Author and editor adrienne maree brown explores how Black feminist approaches can inform how we think about sex (also sex work, activism and a whole lot of the world’s problems). For socially conscious and emotionally intelligent types, this book will totally satisfy in both an erotic and soul nourishing kind of way. Plus, there’s “hot and heavy homework” assignments that let the reader explore their own erotic and emotional experiences — for those of you who like an interactive experience.
“From Front Porch to Back Seat: Courtship in Twentieth Century America” by Beth L. Bailey
Sometimes one of the best ways to understand your present is to look at your past. Beth Bailey’s well-researched exploration of dating between the 20s and 60s dives into what the “old rules” of dating looked like and how we still feel the reverb of them today.
“Position of the Day: Sex Every Day in Every Way” from Nerve.com
With 366 different positions illustrated in one tiny book, “Position of the Day” makes sure you never have a boring romp. While every position isn’t for everyone, you can always take inspiration where it comes and leave the things that seem difficult or exhausting.
“The Astrology of Love & Sex” by Annabel Gat
Probably more for the woo-woo among us, but it’s absolutely fascinating to read about all the different ways astrology can shed light on our love lives. Annabel Gat (one of the astrologers behind Vice’s excellent horoscopes and app) unpacks what makes each sign tick and how they can play nicely with one another.
Leave a Comment