Book Club: Consent for kids, sex and disability, LGBTI journeys, and more
With the seasons changing, and the pandemic (don’t worry, we won’t mention it again) rendering many of us still confined to our homes, now is an ideal time to lose yourself in a great book! So we’ve compiled a list of recommendations that touch on various aspects of sex, relationships, reproductive rights, and plenty more. Enjoy!
Bennet’s exciting debut novel tells the story of a young Black couple in California who experience an unintended pregnancy. Race, religion, abortion, community and grief intersect in this poignant book that has been praised by the likes of Vogue, The Washington Post and Jezebel.
Transgender Warriors, Leslie Feinberg
It’s been nearly 25 years since activist Feinberg’s groundbreaking book was published, which takes the reader on an eye-opening journey through the history of gender expression and experience. It had been described by many as a defining moment for the trans community during the 90s, becoming a rallying cry for transgender rights.
Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body, Rebekah Taussig
Taussig has channeled the success of her popular Instagram account into an essay-based memoir that shines a light on the nuances of the reality of living with a disability. From her experiences of intimacy and living both independently and dependently, to the pervasiveness of ableism in our everyday media directly translates to everyday life, this book is a must-read for all.
This collection of essays gives a voice to young Moroccan women who are grappling with a conservative Arab culture that Slimani believes both condemns and commodifies sex. Through her taboo-busting writing, the internationally best-selling author gives an insight into the intimate lives of a wide range of people, including divorcees, doctors, sex workers, and many more.
In at the Deep End, Kate Davies
This uplifting and award-winning novel tells the story of the sexual awakening of a twenty-something Londoner who is just about done with dating men. The book explores what it’s like to come out later in life, which for this particular protagonist is something of a complex, hilarious and raucous adventure.
Consent (for Kids!): Boundaries, Respect, and Being in Charge of YOU, Rachel Brian
While you might not have heard of the author, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a version the ‘tea consent’ video she co-created, which went viral a couple of years ago. In a similar vein, she has penned a children’s book which is an empowering introduction to consent, bodily autonomy, and how to respect yourself and others.
B-Boy Blues: A Seriously Sexy, Fiercely Funny, Black-on-Black Love Story, James Earl Hardy
Originally released in 1994, this love story between two Black men is set to return in movie form in the near future. In the meantime, the original book is well worth a read as it delves into a complicated, thoughtful and sexually-charged relationship within the hip-hop community — an angle that Hardy was arguably the first writer to touch on.
Come As You Are, Dr Emily Nagoski
When it comes to sex, many of us wonder if we’re normal — whatever that means! Anxieties in this area are common, and Dr Nogoski is here to reassure you that, yes, you are normal, in this insightful, science-rooted, and New York Times bestselling breakdown of female sexuality and pleasure.
A Spark of Light, Jodi Picoult
From the author of worldwide hit My Sister’s Keeper, this provocative and chilling novel centers around a reproductive health services clinic during an attack by an anti-choice activist. The time-bending layout of the story twists and turns as it tells the multi-layered stories of those inside the clinic on that dark day.
Got any suggestions for us? Let us know below!
