Resources and References

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Important reference works, instruction books, and collections of pointers to other resources.
[RECOMMENDED!]

Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships
Taormino, Tristan
Cleis Press
It's been a long time since we've had a new book on how to do polyamory right, and, though we love The Ethical Slut with a love that knows no bounds, we're sure that it understands that we can also love other books on the subject just as much, and that it does not diminish our original love for it. If that sentence sounds familiar, intriguing or even confusing to you, you might consider checking out Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships. Written by the uber-awesome Tristan Taormino, Opening Up is an updated and very thorough look at what it takes to openly romantically love more than one person at a time. After a very well-researched history of marriages of all types, Taormino settles down into the nitty-gritty: from deciding if an open relationship is for you, to the various kinds out there, to how to create and sustain them, along with all the details and concerns that goes along with that. Peppered throughout with stories from real-life poly folk and written in Taormino's easy-to-read style, this is an excellent way to figure out open relationships. (2008, 256 pp.)

item +B-CLS-1432: $16.95 [Order]
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[RECOMMENDED!]

The Smart Girl's Guide to the G-Spot
Blue, Violet
Cleis Press
Finally, a straightforward, witty book about finding and enjoying your G-spot! The Smart Girl's Guide to the G-spot was inspired by author Violet Blue's frustration with the lack of clear information on this hot topic; she's right, pretty much every other guide out there wants you to call it your "goddess spot" and couches descriptions and information in flowery spiritual language. That's great, but it's not going to speak to the vast majority of women out there. Blue's guide has nothing but clear, easy-to-understand, approachable information about the G-spot. From where it is, to how it was named, from different ways to stimulate it to different sex acts to use with it, she covers everything you need to know about your G-spot. And there are four steamy G-spot-centric tales by Alison Tyler to help get you in the mood to go for the G! Our new favorite guide to the hottest spot in town. (2007, 144 pp.)

item +B-CLS-1395: $14.95 [Order]
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The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio (2nd Edition)
Blue, Violet
Cleis Press
Everything you ever wanted to know about giving head — and then some! This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to suck cock (or suck cock better), and the step-by-step nitty gritty is only a small part of what this book has to offer. With chapters on the psychology behind cock-sucking, the anatomy of a man, hygiene, health considerations (STDs), practicing first, positions, deep-throating (with diagrams!) and fantasy play, every last nagging worry or naughty question should be covered. She even has a section on how sucking a dildo is different than sucking live cock. We especially appreciate her acknowledgement of power-play and the section on head etiquette (don't hold 'em down unless that's been negotiated first!). Most of the chapters finish with a steamy little short story by Alison Tyler to help get you both in the mood. Reading this book straight through may prove a bit repetitive, but it's easy to find the information you're seeking through the table of contents. And if on the off chance that this guide doesn't answer your deepest, darkest concerns, the resource and reference chapters in the back are a great way to find out where to look for more information. Ready, set, go down!

Updated Second edition includes an updated resources section and a preface by Mary Roach (author of Bonk and Stiff. (2010, 272 pp.)

item +B-CLS-1456: $16.95 [Order]
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Tickle His Pickle: Your Hands-on Guide to Penis Pleasing
Allison, Dr. Sadie
If you'd like to get more comfortable pleasing the man in your erotic life, Dr. Sadie Allison's Tickle His Pickle: Your Hands-On Guide To Penis Pleasing is just the guidebook you need. With chapters on seducing a man, hair trimming, handjobs, blowjobs, butt play and more, not to mention sexy cartoon illustrations, this book is almost as fun to read as it is to put into practice. There's even a recipe to make your man's come taste sweeter! Dr. Allison knows her stuff, and this book is great as a beginner's manual or as a refresher course (though there are some tricks in here you might never have thought of) on making your favorite cock stand up and, er, shout with joy.

item +B-TKK-1418: $14.95 [Order]
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Tricks... To Please A Woman
Wiseman, Jay
Greenery Press
This is a collection of some of the author's favorite tricks from the popular Tricks series (most of which are now sadly out of print). Loads of suggestions for fun, cool, sexy, innovative things to make women enjoy themselves more in bed . Some of these tricks made us slap ourselves on the forehead and say "Why didn't WE think of that?" and a few made us go "Duh! We knew that already!", but overall this is a fine collection of spiffy ideas for making sex more fun. We especially like #62 (and can't wait to try it — with our own variations! — at home!). There are even some sections on some of the basics of sex, like "how to clean toys after use" and "tips for responsible power exchange play." A neat little book to get your own ideas flowing, with plenty of room in the margins for notes (such as "ooh, honey, let's try this one" and "Mmmm, I bet that would work really well on me"). Buy your own copy and mark it up today! (2002, 148 pp.)

item +B-GRN-1051: $13.95 [Order]
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[RECOMMENDED!]

The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Men
Brent, Bill
Cleis Press
Not just another good guide to playing with your butt, Bill Brent's The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Men covers all the basics of anal play and then some. There's a whole chapter devoted to debunking the myths of anal sex as they pertain to men (including "Only Gay Men Do It" and "Nothing Was Meant to Go in There") and another on anatomy and exercise that mentions side-benefits of anal play (such as the health benefits of prostate massage). Written in a very clear, readable style, the information contained in this book covers pretty much everything you could want to know about anal sex — communication, tools and toys, hygiene and diet, latex and lube, analingus, penetration and positions (for both giver and recipient, and includes info on dildo-fucking), fisting, anal health — and some things you might not have even thought of — extreme sex (SM, gender-play, scat-play) and recreational drug use. The book is directed at men, but Bill Brent does take into consideration some women's issues (especially female anatomy as it pertains to anal sex), and could certainly be used by women as well (although The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women deals more directly with women's concerns and might be more reassuring for nervous female novices). In fact, the only complaint we have about this impressive book is its skimpy resource section and lack of an index (though the book's chapters are clearly laid out, so finding information is less of an issue). Illustrated by Zanne and Fish (Fish did the illustrations for The New Topping Book and The New Bottoming Book, as well as The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women). Highly recommended. (2002, 200 pp.)

item +B-CLS-1919: $16.95 [Order]
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The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex For Women: 2nd Edition
Taormino, Tristan
Cleis Press
An excellent how-to book written for women of all preferences — hetero, lesbian, bi or other — who want to enjoy anal sex, or who already enjoy anal sex but want to find out more about it. (And about time, too, say the Blowfishies — although actually, while the book is directed at women, it's a fine guide on the subject for men as well.) Clearly written, with a chatty, readable style, it covers a substantial range of topics, from how to buttfuck safely to how to maximize your pleasure. It includes information on both receiving and giving a wide variety of types of anal sex, including rimming, dick-fucking, dildo-fucking, butt-plugs and fisting. And it spends an entire chapter demolishing the myths about anal sex — especially the myth that no woman really likes to get it up the butt. This revised, 2nd edition includes new or expanded material on male anal eroticism, power play, fisting and has a question-and-answer section on all aspects of anal pleasure. Illustrated by Fish, the marvelous illustrator of The New Topping Book and The New Bottoming Book. Definitely recommended.

Also available — the Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women videos! Look under Videos, in the Documentary and Educational section. (2006, 220 pp.)

item +B-CLS-1251: $16.95 [Order]
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The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians
Pepper, Rachel
Cleis Press
Yes, we know, it's not about sex per se — but sex has been known to lead to pregnancy on one or two occasions, so we decided to include this useful and informative book in our catalog anyway. Whether you're lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual, if you're a woman who wants to get pregnant without a male partner, you'll find this book a big help. Includes info on many aspects of pregnancy — physical, legal, emotional, and logistical, to name but a few — from pre-conception (does thinking about getting pregnant count as a "pre-conceived notion?") to early babyhood. Thoroughly researched, clearly and humorously written.

Revised and Updated Edition (2005, 270 pp.)

item +B-CLS-1235: $16.95 [Order]
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Introduction to SM BACK ARROW HOME SHOPPING CART WHAT'S NEW SEARCH ORDERING INFO FORWARD ARROW Picture Books
Books Shopping New Search Help

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