books

SCREW THE ROSES, SEND ME THE THORNS
- by Philip Miller and Molly Devon

This is a lovely friendly read. It's almost a picture book, for heaven's sake - How scary can it be?
This book touches on the concepts of D/s as well as S/m, on the joys of BDSM, on safety, on so many aspects of the scene that it's a great beginning read.
The humour in it makes it a pleasant experience. I was a beginner when I read it and it never went over my head. And it didn't condescend either. It's the kind of book you can reread as you go along, and get more out of it each time.
It has a section on techniques (bondage, flogging etc) and a section on making toys. A real versatile book.

THE BOTTOMING BOOK
- by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Lizst

This is a fun read. It's truly a primer. It whets the appetite and makes you laugh. If you're a bottom or a sub it also makes you go "OH YEAH!! ME TOO!"
If you are new to it all, and nervous, or just don't know anything about submission or bottoming this book is wonderful. I still keep it nearby as a fun, quick, reminder of my first days. It was my first book on BDSM and a good choice.

SM101
- by Jay Wiseman

This one is so full of useful stuff, it's amazing. He manages to squeeze in so much vital information into a fairly comfortable sized volume. And easy to read, since he keeps it very personal and chatty.
It seems aimed mostly at dominants/tops and contains safety tips, general definitions of the wicked games we play, and even insight into the scene and how it evolved. But I think every sub/bottom should read it too. It's up to us to educate ourselves about what we want and need and about how our dominants/tops work.
I heard this book was dry and not too stimulating...Well, I was squirming a few times at his descriptions on how to use clamps, restraints, humiliation...Wasn't a 'dry' read for me at all! ::grin::

You're going to see these same books on a number of BDSM websites...I know this is repeat information but I'm a writer and a reader and I can't resist doing a critique! I'd love every person interested in BDSM to read these. I really believe that the more educated you are on something the better choices you make.
I also want to point out that you should never read just one article or talk to one person and take it as gospel truth.
Everyone's truth is a little different and you need as many opinions as you can get in order to decide for yourself what makes sense for you and for your life.
Don't let anyone tell you how it should be for you..not even me!! ::grin::

DIFFERENT LOVING
- by Gloria Brame

This is the encyclopedia of kink. It has chapters on pretty much everything that falls under the umbrella of BDSM and more.
It's a great reference book and encourages the idea of kink as being healthy.
It's mainly filled with interview snippets of people who are actually into the kink so it gives some great insight.
I didn't agree with everyone's ideas but that's no problem for me, I prefer to be challenged in my thinking, not smothered with political correctness.
This book may get a bit preachy at times, but it seems to be born out of a sincere desire to educate the world about less mainstream sexuality, and is a good book to keep and reread...as are the others.
You don't have to be into kink in order to appreciate this book, it's written much like a psychology textbook (although not in any way difficult to read). It's tone is meant to educate and inform those who know little about this subject.
A good book for anyone interested in sexuality and human nature. Not just for beginners!