Best Sex Writing 2005 (Paperback)

~ (Editor)
Key Phrases: adult industry, transgendered people, Hard Love, Gwen Araujo, Boys Town (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fun, nimble book that never loses its sense of humor about itself." -- Salon

Product Description

The crazy quilt of American sex culture gets a literate laundering in this entertaining, provocative collection. This is, after all, a country in which swingers attend PTA meetings and today's Republican could be tonight's leather queen.

The first in a new series, Best Sex Writing 2005 features talented newbies and renowned pros fearlessly guiding readers to the front lines of sex American style. Editor Violet Blue has assembled the best of recent sex journalism by Michelle Tea, Annalee Newitz, Paul Festa, Shirley Shave, and others—from starfucking, sperm banks, and the erotics of a nerd-drenched sci-fi convention to a pilgrimage to the sex temples of India and the challenge of teaching inner-city school kids about sex and HIV. Dr. Carol Queen takes readers on a spiritual journey through the Kinsey Institute, while Patrick Califia's "Sex with the Imperfect Stranger" eloquently explores the paradox of why anyone would kill after sex.

Sometimes humorous, sometimes harrowing, Best Sex Writing 2005 turns a sizzling spotlight on some of America's hidden corners where the erotic and the everyday collide.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Cleis Press; 2005 edition (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573442178
• ISBN-13: 978-1573442176
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #796,666 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for porn? Keep going. Looking to learn? Have a read., September 29, 2005

By	Randy J. Ray "rjray.org" (Campbell, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I picked up this book after attending a reading by several of the authors. I could tell that this was less about erotica and more about the socialogy of sexuality. If you're looking for dirty stories, you probably won't enjoy this (but there are other books by/edited by Violet Blue that you may like better). But if you want some real insight into subjects ranging from visiting the Kinsey Institute, to working for an escort service as a client-booking agent, to trolling for Stormtroopers at a sci-fi/gaming con, then you need this book. My personal favorite stories were the ones by Carol Queen, Annalee Newitz, Chris Ohnesorge and Paul Festa.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Sex Writing is an Understatement, December 10, 2005

By	Ryan M. (SF, CA) - See all my reviews

Often these collections of sexy short stories have maybe one or two decent pieces surrounded by dull, cliched rush-jobs that are about as exciting as cardboard.

Not so with this book. I read the entire book, cover-to-cover, in one sitting as each storie left me panting for more. My favorite story overall is "Dick Check" by Chris Ohnesorge. If you've ever wondered what it could be like working the door to an all-male sex club, "Dick Check" will definitely quench your curiosity. I also loved "Sex with Storm Troopers" by Annalee Newitz which provides some insight into the sexiness of sci-fi conventions and also "Hooker Booker" by K. St. Germaine. I had always wondered about the ins and outs of the call girl business...

Bottom line, buy this book. It's a steal at $10 and will be a staple in your erotica collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where the cutting edge of sex writing is, May 1, 2006

By	Reader in SF "ReaderInSF" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This book is hard to categorize, because it covers such a range of styles. I was blown away by the variety of it, and pleased that the writing is of exceedingly high quality throughout. Not every essay is for everyone, but it's overall an excellent book. I especially liked the confessions of a sperm bank teller and the article about sex at a sci-fi convention, and Patrick Califia's piece is as disturbing as it is thought-provoking and heartfelt. Challenging, creative, memorable and sexy writing.