Books

Author: Lauren Hayse  See Swinging Lifestyle Coach For Better or Even Better 7 Lessons on Life & Love from a Non-Monogamist Discover the candid, transformative journey of a relationship coach navigating life and love outside traditional boundaries. In this insightful guide, readers are invited into a world where transparency, emotional honesty, and vulnerability shape relationships—both monogamous and non-monogamous. With a unique blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and deep wisdom, this boo...

A smart, sexy guide to embracing the repressed, tabooed, and often unwanted aspects of ourselves so we can discover our inner power and finally live the life we deserve. “We always get exactly what we want; but often, though we may not be aware of it, what we most want is dark—very dark.” Each of us has a dual nature: we are light (conscious) and dark (unconscious). The dark side of our personality—the “other,” the shadow side—is made up of what we think is our primitive, primal, negative impu...

A leading expert on human sexuality and author of the blog Sex and Psychology offers an unprecedented look at sexual fantasy based on the most comprehensive, scientific survey ever undertaken. What do Americans really want when it comes to sex? And is it possible for us to get what we want? Justin J. Lehmiller, one of the country's leading experts on human sexuality and author of the popular blog Sex and Psychology, has made it his career's ambition to answer these questions. He recently conclu...

"The Smart Girl's Guide to Polyamory: Everything You Need to Know About Open Relationships, Non-Monogamy, and Alternative Love" by Dedeker Winston is a comprehensive and insightful book that delves into the world of polyamory and non-monogamous relationships. Here's a review of the book: Overview Dedeker Winston's book serves as an informative guide, particularly aimed at women, though it's valuable for anyone interested in exploring polyamory. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics...

"The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity" by Esther Perel offers a nuanced examination of infidelity in relationships. Perel, a respected couples therapist, presents a controversial perspective that infidelity can ultimately be beneficial for relationships. This does not mean that she advocates for infidelity; rather, she explores how affairs can compel partners to closely reevaluate their attitudes about love, commitment, and sex. The book is lauded for its insightful and balanced approach...

"Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence" by Esther Perel is a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between domesticity and sexual desire. Perel, a renowned therapist, delves into the paradoxical union of these two aspects and offers guidance on rekindling passion in long-term relationships. The book is celebrated for its insightful and counterintuitive approach to modern relationships. Perel's expertise in couples therapy informs her exploration of maintaining desire a...

"Opening Up" is a comprehensive guide on non-monogamous relationships, written by Tristan Taormino, a well-known author and educator on sexuality. The book is often recommended for its practical advice, in-depth research, and inclusive approach to various forms of non-monogamous relationships. Taormino combines personal anecdotes, interviews with people in open relationships, and practical advice to provide a thorough overview of the subject. Key topics covered in the book include: Differen...

"Feminist Trauma Theologies: Body, Scripture & Church in Critical Perspective," edited by Karen O’Donnell and Katie Cross, is a groundbreaking collection that explores the intersection of trauma, theology, and feminist perspectives. This compilation is significant in its approach to trauma theology, a field that acknowledges the enduring impact of traumatic experiences and seeks to integrate these experiences within theological discourse. The book is described as a revelatory journey, sometimes...

"Nadia Bolz-Weber's book *Shameless: A Sexual Reformation* is a provocative and insightful critique of traditional Christian teachings on sexuality. Bolz-Weber, a former pastor, draws from her personal experiences, as well as those of her friends and congregants, to challenge and reformulate Christian perspectives on sex, gender, and relationships. The book is described as a mix of memoir and call to action. Bolz-Weber's critique is grounded in biblical texts and the perspectives of both early ...

Linda Kay Klein's book, "Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free," delves into the consequences of purity culture within evangelical Christianity, particularly its impact on girls and young women. The book is described as a contentious debut, blending Klein's personal experiences with a broader exploration of evangelical purity culture. Klein reflects on her upbringing as a conservative Evangelical Christian and the sexual shaming she e...

"Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle," authored by sisters Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., and Amelia Nagoski, D.M.A., is a comprehensive exploration of the phenomena of burnout, particularly focusing on how it affects women. The book presents burnout as a condition with three primary components: emotional exhaustion (the fatigue from caring too much for too long), depersonalization (the depletion of empathy, caring, and compassion), and a decreased sense of accomplishment (a feeling of futi...

For much of the 20th and 21st centuries, women’s sexuality was an uncharted territory in science, studied far less frequently—and far less seriously—than its male counterpart. That is, until Emily Nagoski’s Come As You Are, which used groundbreaking science and research to prove that the most important factor in creating and sustaining a sex life filled with confidence and joy is not what the parts are or how they’re organized but how you feel about them. In the years since the book’s initial...

"Poly Secure: Attachment, Trauma, and Consensual Non-Monogamy" by Jessica Fern is a game-changer for folks interested in or practicing polyamory or other forms of consensual non-monogamy (CNM). The book aims to fuse attachment theory with the dynamics of CNM relationships, providing a nuanced understanding of how people in such relationships can create secure attachments. Main Themes Attachment Theory: Jessica Fern delves into how our attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant, etc.) i...

The authors argue that early human societies were likely more egalitarian and sexually open. They delve into anthropology, primatology, and psychology to support their claims. The book suggests that the agricultural revolution changed the social dynamics, leading to the property-oriented and monogamous structures we see today. Before that, sharing resources—including sexual partners—was more common and even beneficial for social cohesion. They also critique the "standard narrative" that men are...

Description Relationships aren't "one-size-fits-all" so why should relationship advice be? Multiamory offers practical, research-based communication tools for the full spectrum of modern relationships.   When Multiamory authors Dedeker Winston, Emily Sotelo Matlack, and Jase Lindgren started producing their advice show about polyamory and other non-traditional relationships, they received dozens of questions from listeners about all sorts of relationship quandaries and communication stalema...

Have you read "that book" on non-monogamy and still wondered "But how do you actually DO this?" Are you totally great on the theory of open relationships, but feel like you don't know how it works in practice? ...

Dr. Tammy Nelson is a relationship revolutionary. Her rethinking of monogamy―as a practice, a continuum, and a flexible concept―is on point, actionable, and nothing less than a significant cultural shift. ―Wednesday Martin, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Primates of Park Avenue and Untrue Love is eternal―but in an age when we live longer, communicate differently, and value gender equality, is it any wonder so many people are looking for new ways to support lasting, loving partne...

The classic guide to love, sex, and intimacy beyond the limits of conventional monogamy has been fully updated to reflect today’s modern attitudes and the latest information on nontraditional relationships. "One of the most useful relationship books you could ever read, no matter what your lifestyle choices. It’s chock-full of great information about communication, jealousy, asking for what you want, and maintaining a relationship with integrity."—Annie Sprinkle, PhD, sexologist and author of D...