Fans pick 93 books like S.E.X.

By Heather Corinna,

Here are 93 books that S.E.X. fans have personally recommended if you like S.E.X.. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters--And How to Get It

Michael Castleman Author Of Sizzling Sex for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Maximize Erotic Pleasure at Any Age

From my list on sex and sexuality.

Why am I passionate about this?

During a career spanning almost 50 years, Michael Castleman has become the world’s most popular sex expert you’ve probably never heard of.  He has answered more sexuality questions than anyone else on the planet.

Michael's book list on sex and sexuality

Michael Castleman Why did Michael love this book?

Most men think sex is largely about intercourse, and that intercourse is how women get to orgasm. Actually, the organ that triggers orgasm in women is the clitoris, which sits outside the vagina an inch or so above it nestled beneath the top junction of the vaginal lips. Only a small fraction of women can work up to orgasm during intercourse. Most need gentle, direct, extended clitoral caresses, by hand, mouth, or sex toy. This book explains the primacy of the clitoris in women’s pleasure. It should be required reading for all men.

By Laurie Mintz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Becoming Cliterate as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

We've been thinking about sex all wrong. Mainstream media, movies, and porn have taught us that sex = penis + vagina, and everything else is just secondary. Standard penetration is how men most reliably achieve orgasm. The problem is, women don't orgasm this way. We've separated our most reliable route to orgasm-clitoral stimulation-from how we feel we should orgasm-penetration. As a result, we've created a pleasure gap between women and men:

50% of 18-35-year-old women say they have trouble reaching orgasm with a partner 64% of women vs 91% of men said they had an orgasm at their last sexual…


Book cover of She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman

Laurie Mintz Author Of Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters--And How to Get It

From my list on improving your sex life.

Why am I passionate about this?

Before children, I had a robust sex drive. When my second daughter was born, poof—it disappeared. Upon asking, I discovered that my friends were also struggling. I immersed myself in the research literature and found solutions—yet was dismayed that this information wasn’t readily available to women. So, I translated the scientific literature into an accessible self-help book. My passion was ignited. I immersed myself in sex education and therapy, publishing my second book based on the experiences of students in a university-level human sexuality course I teach. I find deep meaning translating sexual science for the lay public and helping people gain knowledge and comfort with sex.

Laurie's book list on improving your sex life

Laurie Mintz Why did Laurie love this book?

This book is written for men about how to pleasure women (with oral sex).

The author, a well-known sex therapist, reveals at the start of the book how he discovered the art of cunnilingus. He suffered from premature ejaculation and thought he could thus never please a woman—until he discovered (in his own words) that “the tongue is mightier than the sword!” 

Ian writes from a knowledgeable, compassionate voice, giving readers information and skills to please their female partners. I’ve recommended this book to countless individuals. The term “cliterate” first appeared on the back of this book cover.

When I wanted to use it on my book cover, I called Ian and asked his permission. He graciously said, “Of course! The more cliterate people in the world, the better!”

By Ian Kerner,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked She Comes First as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Every man’s must-read. Tell your guy to put down the remote and pick up She Comes First.”
—Cosmopolitan

 

Ian Kerner offers a radical new philosophy for pleasuring women in She Comes First—anessential guidebook to oral sex from the author of Be Honest—You’re Not That Into Him Either. The New York Times praises Kerner’s “cool sense of humor and an obsessive desire to inform,” as he “encourages men through an act that many find mystifying.” An indispensable aid to a healthier, more fulfilling sex life for her and him, She Comes First offers techniques and philosophy that have already earned raves…


Book cover of The Survivor's Guide to Sex: How to Have an Empowered Sex Life After Child Sexual Abuse

Michael Castleman Author Of Sizzling Sex for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Maximize Erotic Pleasure at Any Age

From my list on sex and sexuality.

Why am I passionate about this?

During a career spanning almost 50 years, Michael Castleman has become the world’s most popular sex expert you’ve probably never heard of.  He has answered more sexuality questions than anyone else on the planet.

Michael's book list on sex and sexuality

Michael Castleman Why did Michael love this book?

The myth is that childhood sexual abuse is so horrific that survivors are scarred for life and can never enjoy fulfilling lovemaking. Actually, with information and therapy, survivors can enjoy deeply pleasurable and satisfying sex lives. This book points the way. 

By Staci Haines,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Survivor's Guide to Sex as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Based on the author's extensive training and experience in working with abuse survivors, The Survivor's Guide to Sex offers an affirming, sex-positive approach to recovery from incest and rape. While most books on the topic broach sexuality only to reassure women that it is alright to say "no" to unwanted sex, this one encourages women to learn how to say "yes" to their own desires and on their own terms.

Points of discussion include problems common to women survivors. Haines teaches survivors to embrace their own sexual choices and preferences, learn about their own sexual response cycles, and heal through…


Book cover of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sensual Massage

Michael Castleman Author Of Sizzling Sex for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Maximize Erotic Pleasure at Any Age

From my list on sex and sexuality.

Why am I passionate about this?

During a career spanning almost 50 years, Michael Castleman has become the world’s most popular sex expert you’ve probably never heard of.  He has answered more sexuality questions than anyone else on the planet.

Michael's book list on sex and sexuality

Michael Castleman Why did Michael love this book?

Most men feel impatient with foreplay, and believe sex is all about intercourse. Actually, satisfying, high-quality lovemaking is based on leisurely, gentle, playful, mutual whole-body massage that eventually -- after 20 minutes or so--focuses on the genitals. Foreplay is not some obligation to get through. It's the bedrock basis of sizzling sex. This book is an engaging, comprehensive, hands-on guide to mutual whole-body massage. Co-author Patti Britton is one of the nation’s most distinguished and creative sex educators, and her book is marvelous.

By Helen Hodgson, Patti Britton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sensual Massage as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Tender and erotic, a sensual massage is a highly pleasurable experience--and one of the best ways to express love and affection. Fully illustrated and easy to read, The Complete Idiot's Guide (R) to Sensual Massage includes original massage programs especially devised to relax, delight, and arouse both men and women. Everything you need to know about giving and receiving sensual massage is here: sensual massage as foreplay, for body gratification, and for healing touch methodology. The book also explains the difference between sensual massage and other types of massage, as well as how sensual massage enhances intimacy. The book will…


Book cover of What Makes a Baby

Beth Cox Author Of All Bodies Are Wonderful: An Inclusive Guide to talking about you!

From my list on embracing who you are.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m an inclusion consultant working with publishers to help ensure all children are included in books. It’s easy to forget how important embracing all types of bodies is when thinking about diversity and inclusion. But inclusion is essentially about welcoming and appreciating all different types of bodies. The best way to promote this is to build a sense of awe about how bodies are created, understand the science behind why differences occur, and see that bodies come in many shapes and forms, and are all beautiful. There are so many books that can help with this, but alongside my book, the books on this list are a great place to start.

Beth's book list on embracing who you are

Beth Cox Why did Beth love this book?

My son is donor conceived, and I’m a solo parent by design, so how he was made is something we’ve talked about since he was tiny. (Although the conversation was rather one-sided for a number of years!)

When I discovered this book it quickly became a favourite as it’s so inclusive! The way it’s presented transcends gender and family set up, meaning you can use it to discuss any or all of the ways a baby can be made. Understanding how babies come into the world and grow helps children to realise the importance of their own bodies. 

By Cory Silverberg, Fiona Smyth (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked What Makes a Baby as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Finalist for the 2014 Lambda Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult

“What Makes a Baby is extraordinary! Cory is a Dr. Spock for the 21st century.”—Susie Bright

“A Truly Inclusive Way to Answer the Question 'Where Do Babies Come From?': The new book What Makes a Baby offers an origin story for all children, no matter what their families look like." —The Atlantic

"This is a solid, occasionally quirky book on an important topic."—School Library Journal

Geared to readers from preschool to age eight, What Makes a Baby is a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid.…


Book cover of Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls

Shafia Zaloom Author Of Sex, Teens & Everything in Between: The New and Necessary Conversations Today’s Teenagers Need to Have about Consent, Harassment, Healthy Relationships, Love, and More

From my list on healthy sexuality and relationships.

Why am I passionate about this?

Shafia Zaloom is a health educator, parent, consultant, and author whose work centers on human development, community building, ethics, and social justice. Shafia has worked with thousands of children and their families in her role as teacher, coach, administrator, board member, and outdoor educator. She has contributed articles to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous parenting blogs. Shafia’s book, Sex, Teens, and Everything in Between has been reviewed as “the ultimate relationship guide for teens of all orientations and identities.” It is one that “every teen, and every parent and educator - and every other adult who interacts with teens - should read.”

Shafia's book list on healthy sexuality and relationships

Shafia Zaloom Why did Shafia love this book?

I love this book because it encourages body positivity among girls who represent a vast variety of identities, especially when it comes to size. I appreciate that Taylor honors the possibility that a female-bodied girl may actually feel like their body and sex assigned at birth does not align, sometimes or all of the time, with how they feel about their gender. Not only does this book include “fascinating facts” boxes of practical and medically accurate information—and empathetically assures readers that “you have company” and are not alone—it pays tribute to body diversity and encourages body pride with its inclusive and affirming approach. You will find everything in here from the wonders of puberty and all of its changes, to how we can take care of our awesomeness with nutrition and physical activity. In addition to empowering girls to take responsibility for knowing the incredible power within their bodies as…

By Sonya Renee Taylor,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

A body-positive guide to help girls ages 8 to 12 navigate the changes of puberty and grow into women.

Puberty can be a difficult time for a young girl―and it’s natural not to know who (or what) to ask. Celebrate Your Body is a reassuring entry into puberty books for girls that encourages them to face puberty and their body’s changes with excitement and empowerment. From period care to mysterious hair in new places, this age-appropriate sex education book has the answers young girls are looking for―in a way that they can relate to.

Covering everything from bras to braces,…


Book cover of Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys

Shafia Zaloom Author Of Sex, Teens & Everything in Between: The New and Necessary Conversations Today’s Teenagers Need to Have about Consent, Harassment, Healthy Relationships, Love, and More

From my list on healthy sexuality and relationships.

Why am I passionate about this?

Shafia Zaloom is a health educator, parent, consultant, and author whose work centers on human development, community building, ethics, and social justice. Shafia has worked with thousands of children and their families in her role as teacher, coach, administrator, board member, and outdoor educator. She has contributed articles to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous parenting blogs. Shafia’s book, Sex, Teens, and Everything in Between has been reviewed as “the ultimate relationship guide for teens of all orientations and identities.” It is one that “every teen, and every parent and educator - and every other adult who interacts with teens - should read.”

Shafia's book list on healthy sexuality and relationships

Shafia Zaloom Why did Shafia love this book?

This book, for boys 8+ years, is a great ice breaker and conversation starter in preparation for the change puberty brings, by providing practical information for growing up in a safe and healthy way. Natterson’s down-to-earth tone and illustrations create the right balance of facts and humor. Topics cover everything from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to shaving, acne to voice cracking, pubic changes to moodiness, peer pressure to bullying, and everything in between. Many times, our society leaves boys out of the puberty discussion. It’s important to change this social norm and include boys in this dialogue about puberty, health, and wellness. This impactful book is full of age-appropriate, medically accurate information, as well as addresses the nuances of cultural messages about masculinity and how boys may deal with and express their feelings. Natterson recently embraced this topic further and in more depth with her latest book:…

By Cara Natterson, Micah Player (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Guy Stuff as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

From the author of the bestselling Care & Keeping of You series! This book will provide you with the answers that will help you take care of yourself better, from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to shaving, acne to voice changes, and everything in between. With tips, how-tos, and facts from a real pediatrician, it's the perfect book to help you learn about your body's changes.


Book cover of Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up

Shafia Zaloom Author Of Sex, Teens & Everything in Between: The New and Necessary Conversations Today’s Teenagers Need to Have about Consent, Harassment, Healthy Relationships, Love, and More

From my list on healthy sexuality and relationships.

Why am I passionate about this?

Shafia Zaloom is a health educator, parent, consultant, and author whose work centers on human development, community building, ethics, and social justice. Shafia has worked with thousands of children and their families in her role as teacher, coach, administrator, board member, and outdoor educator. She has contributed articles to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous parenting blogs. Shafia’s book, Sex, Teens, and Everything in Between has been reviewed as “the ultimate relationship guide for teens of all orientations and identities.” It is one that “every teen, and every parent and educator - and every other adult who interacts with teens - should read.”

Shafia's book list on healthy sexuality and relationships

Shafia Zaloom Why did Shafia love this book?

This fun and approachable book is fantastic! A prime pick for any preteen or young teen. Inclusive of many different genders, orientations, and other identities, this book covers relevant and important topics like body and body image, the media and cultural messages (in particular around bodies and sex), sexual and gender identity, gender roles and stereotypes, crushes, relationships, and feelings, as well as how to be kind, empathetic, and mature. The characters, Malia, Rico, Max, Sam, and Alexis, support each other while figuring out confusing feelings and experiences. What sets this book apart is not only how beautifully inclusive and positive the authors’ approach is, but how it empowers young people with effective questions for reflection that serve all of us no matter what age. Corinna and Rotman are expert sex educators who “get it” and all that goes along with navigating growing up in today’s realm of healthy sexuality…

By Heather Corinna, Isabella Rotman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Wait, What? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

From Heather Corinna, founder and director of Scarleteen.com, and Isabella Rotman, cartoonist and sex educator, comes a graphic novel guide that covers essential topics for preteens and young teens about their changing bodies and feelings.
Join friends Malia, Rico, Max, Sam and Alexis as they talk about all the weird and exciting parts of growing up! This supportive group of friends are guides for some tricky subjects. Using comics, activities and examples, they give encouragement and context for new and confusing feelings and experiences.

Inclusive of different kinds of genders, sexualities, and other identities, they talk about important topics like:…


Book cover of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex: But Were Afraid to Ask

Carren Strock Author Of Married Women Who Love Women and More

From my list on lesbianism and married women who love women.

Why am I passionate about this?

I believe that creativity has no boundaries and that it is only desire and determination that separate those who succeed from those who don't. I'm equally at home with a paintbrush and canvas, a needle and thread, or a hammer and nails, and am as eclectic in my writing as I am in my other interests. I'm best known for my definitive sociological study, Married Women Who Love Women and More, which began as a catharsis for myself when I realized I was gay. I'm also the author of an autobiographical how-to, an exciting mystery, a lesbian paranormal romance, a rhyming picture book, a cookbook, and a middle grade chapter book.

Carren's book list on lesbianism and married women who love women

Carren Strock Why did Carren love this book?

I found this book to be frank, compassionate, and sometimes funny. Some of the topics made me blush when I read it years ago. Others reaffirmed my normalness, and still others opened my mind to new possibilities. But I was especially interested in the alternative lifestyles section. It was years later that I realized I was a lesbian.

By David R. Reuben M.D.,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"The original edition of Dr. David Reuben's "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask" is the most famous and successful book on human sexuality ever published. A #1 bestseller in over fifty-one countries, it has been read and enjoyed by more than 100 million people in virtually every country in the world. For more than thirty years, this modern classic has become part of our lives. It has made our sexual experiences more satisfying, our marriages more robust, and given our children a healthy and realistic attitude toward sex." [quoted from http://books.google.com/books/about/Everything_You_Always_Wanted_to_Know_Abo.html?id=PVxhQgAACAAJ ]


Book cover of Divine Sex: A Compelling Vision for Christian Relationships in a Hypersexualized Age

Dorothy Littell Greco Author Of Making Marriage Beautiful: Lifelong Love, Joy, and Intimacy Start with You

From my list on create and sustain a healthy marriage and sex life.

Why am I passionate about this?

For most of my 31 years of marriage, my husband and I have walked alongside couples who are preparing for marriage, in the throes of marriage, or trying to salvage their marriage. We get why it’s challenging and absolutely believe that there is hope and healing in the context of marriage for everyone. I’ve written two books on the topic and am passionate about helping couples find the resources they need to grow and strengthen their marriage covenants. Marriage books tend to be a bit shallow and offer quick fixes. We need honest, practical, wise resources if we want to grow. 

Dorothy's book list on create and sustain a healthy marriage and sex life

Dorothy Littell Greco Why did Dorothy love this book?

We cannot escape the fact that we are sexual beings, who walk around every day with sexual longings and desires. But what does this have to do with faith? In a word, everything. Grant does a marvelous job challenging our presuppositions, pointing us toward Scripture, and helping us to create a powerfully healthy understanding of how our sexuality is meant to bring us joy and ease our aloneness.  

By Jonathan Grant,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Divine Sex as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Christianity Today Book Award Winner

The digital revolution has ushered in a series of sexual revolutions, all contributing to a perfect storm for modern relationships. Online dating, social media, internet pornography, and the phenomenon of the smartphone generation have created an avalanche of change with far-reaching consequences for sexuality today. The church has struggled to address this new moral ecology because it has focused on clarity of belief rather than quality of formation. The real challenge for spiritual formation lies in addressing the underlying moral intuitions we carry subconsciously, which are shaped by the convictions of our age.

In this…


Book cover of Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters--And How to Get It
Book cover of She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman
Book cover of The Survivor's Guide to Sex: How to Have an Empowered Sex Life After Child Sexual Abuse

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