Best Sex Writing 2012

November 7, 2011
In Radclyffe’s fourth annual anthology of tales generally more tender than torrid, 17 authors explore many permutations of lesbian love: falling for a housemate (Cheyenne Blue’s “Rule 4”), lusting after a best friend (Catherine Paulssen’s “Misty and Me” and Geneva King’s “Note to Self”), and a purportedly straight woman making a move on her openly gay colleague (Radclyffe’s own “Training Op”). Of particular note is Sheree L. Greer’s lovely “A Prom Story in Three Parts,” the story of a young woman torn between what society deems acceptable and what her heart demands. The most overtly erotic tale is Theda Hudson’s endearing “What No One Else Has,” but it leavens corsetry and kink with deep feelings and sweetness. Many of these heroines would benefit from longer stories where readers could get emotionally invested in their budding relationships, but this is still an enjoyable collection with plenty of appeal.

April 15, 2012

Aiming to collect the best writing about sex published during 2011, sex columnist and editor Bussel and author and performer Bright (Big Sex Little Death: A Memoir) cull these articles from a variety of print and online sources including Playboy, Reason, Salon, the Village Voice, and others. Featuring writers such as Greta Christina (editor, "Best Erotic Comics" series) and Marty Klein (Sexual Intelligence: What We Really Want from Sex and How To Get It) and covering issues such as the criminalization of circumcision of minors, dating and STDs, politics and sex, child porn and statutory rape, religious belief and sex, and homosexuality in the military, this book highlights not only the diversity of sexual issues prevalent in the public discourse but likewise the importance of all things sexual to human culture. VERDICT Readers interested in sexuality and its role in politics and culture will find something of interest in this eclectic volume. A great opportunity to discover new voices, new sources, and new information on the subject of sex.

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