Best Sex Writing 2009 (Paperback)

~ (Editor)
Key Phrases: adult film industry, sex dolls, explicit conduct, Song of Solomon, San Francisco, Jessica's Law (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"..provocative answers and even more provocative questions about the role of sexuality in our lives...If you're the type who thinks the brain is the most important sex organ, you'll definitely want to read on--and you won't be disappointed."-Clean Sheets

"Everything here is well-written and could pass for a piece found in a magazine like The New Yorker"-AVN

“A fun, nimble book that never loses its sense of humor about itself.” — Salon

“Interesting and thought-provoking.… Like a whole issue of The New Yorker if The New Yorker gave any attention to sex.” — Kevin Killian, author of The Wild Creatures

Product Description

Intelligent, upbeat, and sex-positive, the pieces in Best Sex Writing 2009 offer an in-depth look at sex the way it actually happens in America today. Gubernatorial sex scandals, rape fantasies, "Dear John" letters, teen sexuality, purity balls, the science of screwing, bathroom sex, and other topics are scrutinized by noted columnists, bloggers, and authors in pieces that are funny, informative, challenging, sexy, and serious. Edited by sex commentator and erotic author Rachel Kramer Bussel and guest judge MSNBC sex columnist Brian Alexander, this collection goes behind the headlines for a very different kind of sex ed.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 210 pages Publisher: Cleis Press (January 6, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 1573443379 ISBN-13: 978-1573443371 Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #94,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Rachel Kramer Bussel Page

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
adult film industry, sex dolls, explicit conduct

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Song of Solomon, San Francisco, Jessica's Law, New York Times, San Diego, City Council, Mountain Home, Field Support Brigade, Attorney General, Department of Justice, Camp Anaconda, Barry Komisaruk, Every Man, Kahn's Museum, Black Lace, Southern California, Stacey Swimme, New Jersey, Los Angeles

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	33% buy the item featured on this page: Best Sex Writing 2009 4.6 out of 5 stars (17) $10.17
	23% buy Frenzy: 60 Stories of Sudden Sex 4.6 out of 5 stars (18) $10.17
	20% buy Lust: Erotic Fantasies for Women 5.0 out of 5 stars (12) $10.17
	13% buy Best Women's Erotica 2009 4.3 out of 5 stars (7) $10.85

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews 5 star:  (14) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely surprise, January 14, 2009 By  David L. Houston - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book is a wonderful surprise. I volunteered to do a review, and was unprepared for what I got. This is not a book of sexy stories (although after reading this I will confess that I now am rather interested in Ms. Kramer Bussel's other work). Rather, it is a collection of writing about sex from the social standpoint. It's not quite social science, and it's definitely not erotica. This is one of the things that I am very taken with: the book bridges a large gap, in my mind, between the often dry, remote world of academe and that of the often over-stated world of sexuality. The contents speak volumes (hah!). There are pieces on virginity, chastity and military regulations of sex toys. There are deeply heartfelt pieces on love and abuse, where the pain and intensity of the author emerge in well crafted writing. A piece on sex offenders is written by one of the victims, who avoids falling prey to hysterical reactions despite her own difficult past. There is a piece by a man who remained a chaste virgin, even to himself, until he was out of college. There is a remarkable spectrum of pieces that speak not just to sex, but something a lot deeper, a lot more difficult. In the end, what I took away from this little volume was about relationships. Relationships are perhaps the most complex layer of human experience. What we as individuals bring to a relationship is a lived experience; we never really get much from school or home on the actual mechanics - it's something we have to see, feel, experience along the way. Much of that, clearly, is difficult. Any attempt to bridge the aforementioned divide between popular and scholarly runs a considerable risk. Critics on the scholarly side will quickly note the dearth of references, and few citations. That's true here, but there are a number of references, good ones, and despite the sprinkling of citations, the articles are written, and the book is set up, to make it relatively simple to dig deeper. In one of the articles, for example, there is a fascinating quote by Virginia Woolf - "I will wait until men have become so civilized that they are not shocked when a woman speaks the truth about her body." - and a quick search online led me to several good sources. The curious need only dip a toe into the water. At the same time, critics on the popular side will likely decry the meticulously crafted article on the impending changes to the DSM, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the exceptional dissection of the United States Army's General Order 1a as it pertains to the real and gritty lives of the troops in the war zone. How, they might ask, can we expect a reading audience seeking to be entertained to cozy up to this kind of dry technical detail? The answer to both sides is that sex, and relationships, just aren't always easy or pretty or even sexy. Sex can be difficult, painful - both emotionally and physically. It can leave lasting traces, damage that takes years to repair. Relationships are not the 1950s black and white images that an awful lot of that same "entertain me" audience seems to think they must be. Nor are they the sterile compartments of a General Social Survey. Differences can tear partners apart, and leave families gasping for breath. Yes, Virginia, there are good ones, even hot ones, and that's touched on here too. What makes this little book so special is this spectrum, a presentation of perspectives that ranges across a large area of sex and love and passion and humor and fear and relationships. After reading it, I was left with a hope that it is a good beginning to really opening doors between two vastly different layers of our social milieu, and that in the end, the readers who choose this one will come away wanting more of both: more detail about the difficult parts, and more thrill about the soft and delicious parts. Ms. Kramer Bussel is to be commended on this count. It's not an easy task. I plan to look for the 2010 edition soon. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant collection for well written articles on sexuality, January 12, 2009 By  Shanna Katz "Sexuality Educator" (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    One might assume that Best Sex Writing 2009 is solely a collection of erotica, or at least a book that contains some hot and heavy material. One might also be incredibly wrong. This is the second edition of the book that I've been fortunate enough to read (also read last year's 2008 collection), and both have wowed me. This year's Best Sex Writing 2009 is full of interesting articles on a plethora of subjects, ranging from dildos as contraband in Iraq to different takes on abstinence-only education/programs/teens who wait until marriage, and so much more. To me, the first piece, by Tracy Egan, was entrancing. As a feminist, she talks about trying to hire someone to fantasy rape her, and her surprise at all of the issues that came with this, although they weren't the issues that you'd expect. I really enjoyed this piece, far more than I expected to, and it really set the tone for the rest of the book. I liked that this spanned so many different sub-areas within the incredibly broad field of sexuality. As someone with a degree in human sexuality, I have been frustrated that people tend to lump "sex writing" into either erotica, or research/papers/dissertations. This book is a collection of some of the best written, most interesting, incredibly deep essays, interviews and articles written on the spectrum of sexuality. I found this book incredibly enjoyable, well-edited and collected, and immensely hard to put down. I'm sure it will be making the round among my friends and peers alike, and I plan to use it to reference for future sex writing of my own. I applaud Rachel Kramer Bussel on this work of hers. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and sexy!, March 8, 2009 By  J. Ferrieri (Lakewood, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    When I first got this book, I naturally assumed it was another erotica book as most of the books edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel are. I quickly realized that the stories were not erotica, but all on the topic of sex. This sometimes funny ("Hi, Mr. Clingy Prostitute!") and always smart collection of stories talk about sex in terms of fantasies, cybersex, politics, post traumatic stress disorder and even the evangelical approach in "Soulgasm" by Dagmar Herzog. This story looks at sexual points of view for devout Christians. It approaches what may or may not be considered normal and acceptable in a loving Christian marriage. It even offered a prayer for those faithful, yet horny Christian wives: "Lord, keep me growing as a godly and sensuous woman. Keep me from worrying about what is normal and let me dwell on what is a successful sexual encounter for me and my husband." I found this a little funny, but still encouraging to know that not only the 'sinners' are calling out to Him during sex! This collection the kind of sex writing that all erotica writers aspire to write, in my opinion. To reach an audience, inform and inspire through the truth on taboo topics in a way that engages the brain and allows us to grow into braver and educated society. Bravo! for a great collection and another great read.		Most Recent Customer Reviews 1.0 out of 5 stars don't bother Didn't like this book at all. Someone in my book club recommended it. First of all, who wants to have a book that looks like that on your bed side table.... Read more Published 1 month ago by Wormy 3.0 out of 5 stars Accessible & readable I wasn't really sure what to expect from BSW09. I read a lot of smut and erotica, and while I knew this anthology would be non-fiction writing about sex, I think I expected more... Read more Published 6 months ago by Z. Meade 5.0 out of 5 stars Best Writing About Sex Here "Sex is everywhere." But good writing about sex isn't. That's why it's gratifying that Rachel Kramer Bussel and Brian Alexander have done the dirty work of finding it and... Read more Published 7 months ago by Erobintica 5.0 out of 5 stars A Portrait of Sex Today Bussel, Rachel Kramer (editor) and Brian Alexander (introduction). "Best Sex Writing 2009", Cleis Press, 2009. Read more Published 8 months ago by Amos Lassen 5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Entertaining This book ranges from humorous to political to downright sobering, offering a broad view of sex. I bought it because I was intrigued by the cover and wanted to learn more, and... Read more Published 9 months ago by Jason Stewart 5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic anthology The only things I like better than having sex are talking or reading about sex and sexuality. This wonderful anthology edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel gives us a diverse... Read more Published 9 months ago by K. Wilke 5.0 out of 5 stars aptly titled, indeed Best Sex Writing 09 is exactly what I could have hoped for in terms of a "best of." After spending the last two years out of school and without internet, I was starved for... Read more Published 9 months ago by Brook Bolen 5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking and Definitely Worth Reading This is a very interesting collection. But first, a word of caution to those who judge books by their covers: this book is not as `naughty' as the cover and title might lead you... Read more Published 9 months ago by Akron Reader 5.0 out of 5 stars The Title Doesn't Lie I just read my copy of Best Sex Writing 2009, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, and from the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Read more Published 9 months ago by J. Peters 5.0 out of 5 stars Human sexuality and culture examined by investigators, scholars, writers, journalists, educators and bloggers "Best Sex Writing 2008" was one of my favorite human sexuality/popular culture books of last year, so I had very high hopes for "Best Sex Writing 2009. Read more Published 10 months ago by o-gal Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Cleis Press (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573443379
• ISBN-13: 978-1573443371
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #94,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely surprise, January 14, 2009

By	David L. Houston - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a wonderful surprise. I volunteered to do a review, and was unprepared for what I got. This is not a book of sexy stories (although after reading this I will confess that I now am rather interested in Ms. Kramer Bussel's other work). Rather, it is a collection of writing about sex from the social standpoint. It's not quite social science, and it's definitely not erotica. This is one of the things that I am very taken with: the book bridges a large gap, in my mind, between the often dry, remote world of academe and that of the often over-stated world of sexuality.

The contents speak volumes (hah!). There are pieces on virginity, chastity and military regulations of sex toys. There are deeply heartfelt pieces on love and abuse, where the pain and intensity of the author emerge in well crafted writing. A piece on sex offenders is written by one of the victims, who avoids falling prey to hysterical reactions despite her own difficult past. There is a piece by a man who remained a chaste virgin, even to himself, until he was out of college. There is a remarkable spectrum of pieces that speak not just to sex, but something a lot deeper, a lot more difficult. In the end, what I took away from this little volume was about relationships.

Relationships are perhaps the most complex layer of human experience. What we as individuals bring to a relationship is a lived experience; we never really get much from school or home on the actual mechanics - it's something we have to see, feel, experience along the way. Much of that, clearly, is difficult.

Any attempt to bridge the aforementioned divide between popular and scholarly runs a considerable risk. Critics on the scholarly side will quickly note the dearth of references, and few citations. That's true here, but there are a number of references, good ones, and despite the sprinkling of citations, the articles are written, and the book is set up, to make it relatively simple to dig deeper. In one of the articles, for example, there is a fascinating quote by Virginia Woolf - "I will wait until men have become so civilized that they are not shocked when a woman speaks the truth about her body." - and a quick search online led me to several good sources. The curious need only dip a toe into the water. At the same time, critics on the popular side will likely decry the meticulously crafted article on the impending changes to the DSM, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the exceptional dissection of the United States Army's General Order 1a as it pertains to the real and gritty lives of the troops in the war zone. How, they might ask, can we expect a reading audience seeking to be entertained to cozy up to this kind of dry technical detail?

The answer to both sides is that sex, and relationships, just aren't always easy or pretty or even sexy. Sex can be difficult, painful - both emotionally and physically. It can leave lasting traces, damage that takes years to repair. Relationships are not the 1950s black and white images that an awful lot of that same "entertain me" audience seems to think they must be. Nor are they the sterile compartments of a General Social Survey. Differences can tear partners apart, and leave families gasping for breath. Yes, Virginia, there are good ones, even hot ones, and that's touched on here too.

What makes this little book so special is this spectrum, a presentation of perspectives that ranges across a large area of sex and love and passion and humor and fear and relationships. After reading it, I was left with a hope that it is a good beginning to really opening doors between two vastly different layers of our social milieu, and that in the end, the readers who choose this one will come away wanting more of both: more detail about the difficult parts, and more thrill about the soft and delicious parts. Ms. Kramer Bussel is to be commended on this count. It's not an easy task. I plan to look for the 2010 edition soon.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant collection for well written articles on sexuality, January 12, 2009

By	Shanna Katz "Sexuality Educator" (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One might assume that Best Sex Writing 2009 is solely a collection of erotica, or at least a book that contains some hot and heavy material. One might also be incredibly wrong.

This is the second edition of the book that I've been fortunate enough to read (also read last year's 2008 collection), and both have wowed me. This year's Best Sex Writing 2009 is full of interesting articles on a plethora of subjects, ranging from dildos as contraband in Iraq to different takes on abstinence-only education/programs/teens who wait until marriage, and so much more.

To me, the first piece, by Tracy Egan, was entrancing. As a feminist, she talks about trying to hire someone to fantasy rape her, and her surprise at all of the issues that came with this, although they weren't the issues that you'd expect. I really enjoyed this piece, far more than I expected to, and it really set the tone for the rest of the book.

I liked that this spanned so many different sub-areas within the incredibly broad field of sexuality. As someone with a degree in human sexuality, I have been frustrated that people tend to lump "sex writing" into either erotica, or research/papers/dissertations. This book is a collection of some of the best written, most interesting, incredibly deep essays, interviews and articles written on the spectrum of sexuality.

I found this book incredibly enjoyable, well-edited and collected, and immensely hard to put down. I'm sure it will be making the round among my friends and peers alike, and I plan to use it to reference for future sex writing of my own. I applaud Rachel Kramer Bussel on this work of hers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and sexy!, March 8, 2009

By	J. Ferrieri (Lakewood, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I first got this book, I naturally assumed it was another erotica book as most of the books edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel are. I quickly realized that the stories were not erotica, but all on the topic of sex.

This sometimes funny ("Hi, Mr. Clingy Prostitute!") and always smart collection of stories talk about sex in terms of fantasies, cybersex, politics, post traumatic stress disorder and even the evangelical approach in "Soulgasm" by Dagmar Herzog. This story looks at sexual points of view for devout Christians. It approaches what may or may not be considered normal and acceptable in a loving Christian marriage. It even offered a prayer for those faithful, yet horny Christian wives:

"Lord, keep me growing as a godly and sensuous woman. Keep me from worrying about what is normal and let me dwell on what is a successful sexual encounter for me and my husband."

I found this a little funny, but still encouraging to know that not only the 'sinners' are calling out to Him during sex!

This collection the kind of sex writing that all erotica writers aspire to write, in my opinion. To reach an audience, inform and inspire through the truth on taboo topics in a way that engages the brain and allows us to grow into braver and educated society. Bravo! for a great collection and another great read.