Sexuality Happens » book review http://essin-em.com Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:03:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Pleasurists #71 http://essin-em.com/2010/04/pleasurists-71/ http://essin-em.com/2010/04/pleasurists-71/#comments Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:04:48 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=3519

Jessica Jae by Johari Davis

Welcome to Pleasurists, a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days. For updates and information follow our RSS Feed and Twitter.

Did you miss Pleasurists #70? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #72? Be sure to read our submission guidelines and then use our submission form and submit it before Sunday March 21st at 11:59pm PDT.

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e[lust] #10

Editor’s Pick

  • Rascal the Baller by Wilhelmina Wang

    • Imagine my shock when I got it in the mail and realized it was FUCKING GINORMOUS: this Rascal is a whopping 17.5″ x 2.5″.

    Moral of the story: don’t order a toy without carefully checking the specs.

    Meanwhile, I was stuck with the damn thing and had to do something with it in order to write a review. The question was, what?

Editor

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

On to the reviews…

Vibrators

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]]> http://essin-em.com/2010/04/pleasurists-71/feed/ 0 Sex Book Review: Morgasm http://essin-em.com/2010/02/sex-book-review-morgasm/ http://essin-em.com/2010/02/sex-book-review-morgasm/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:08:46 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=3316

I was really excited about this book, and not just because I have a bit of a fetish for collecting every sexuality based book IN THE WORLD (ok, not really, but close). Moregasm is Babeland’s new Guide to Mind Blowing Sex, written by the owners/founders of the lovely Babeland (who sent me this book to review. Take that FTC).

Why was I so excited? Because I was really for an all-encompassing, queer and straight friendly, monogamous and non-monogamous, rocking sex ed book, ready to take the world by storm. As a whole, Babeland is a great company, providing accessible and inclusive sex education to people of various genders, identities, backgrounds and more.

Maybe I hyped it up too much in my own mind, but I do have to say that I wound up being disappointed.

Some parts were great. I loved that they showed different XX bodies; women, genderqueer, gender fuckers, different races, different sizes, etc. Awesome.  They also showed lots of different vulvas, showing that everyone is unique. Again, awesome. They did a great job with talking about cuntacular/vulvar plumbing.

But then the poor pensises didn’t get that kind of love. There weren’t pictures of lots of different XY bodies.  Nor were there pictures of different types of pensises, to help normalize different sizes/shapes/circumcized/uncut.  I remember the first time I saw an uncut penis in a text book in college, and it was a whole different world to me.  Lots of people have never seen one, or are concerned about their size, whether they are curved or not, etc.  I thought it was kind of sad that they chose not to show the awesome variety of men out there.

So I started thinking that maybe this should be called the Queer Guide to Mind Blowing Sex, which, in my mind is a needed book, and that would be awesome.  Yes, Babeland is women focused, but the poor cis guys were getting the short end of the stick here.

Never fear; the chapters on blow jobs and intercourse completely reinforced hetero-normitivity.  All the illustrations showed a traditional looking woman (pretty hair and all) with a traditonal looking man (biceps and all).  Cause you know queer people don’t give blow jobs or have sex.  The strap on section was ridiculous short, and not as inclusive as I had hope.

What did they do well? I thought they showed off a great variety of sex positive toys in all of the chapters. The one exception to this was the lube chapter, where they ONLY showed Babeland lube. Now, Babeland carries other awesome lubes, like Maximus, so it wouldn’t be promoting something they don’t carry, and I know I personally get yeast infections from their Organic Babeland Lube. Ergo, I don’t know why they didn’t expand that chapter.

The book itself is beautiful; I love the color, the pictures inside, the quality. I love the list of resources in the back. I love the relaxed tone they use to talk about sex (although I’d say that lots of women/gender queer people with cunts, myself included, don’t like being refered to as “babe” but I totally get that it IS “Babe”-land).

I think this book would be good for an open minded straight couple, or maybe a therapist working with lots of hetero couples. I’d give it 2 or 3 stars (out of 5), because it is well written, but I was just really sad not to have an inclusive book coming from such a great company.

Click here to be the owner of your own copy of Moregasm.

-Essin’ Em

]]> http://essin-em.com/2010/02/sex-book-review-morgasm/feed/ 2 Pleasurists #64 http://essin-em.com/2010/02/pleasurists-64/ http://essin-em.com/2010/02/pleasurists-64/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:09:28 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=3276

by Jen Dixon via modelmayhem

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days. For updates and information follow our RSS Feed and Twitter.

Did you miss Pleasurists #63? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #65? Be sure to read our submission guidelines and then you can use our submission form and submit it before Sunday February 7th at 11:59pm PST.

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

Looking for sexy posts other than reviews?

e[lust] #7

Editor’s Pick

  • LELO Ina by Raven Quince

    • Yes! Yes! Yes! Do it again! Mmmmmm! Wow. Thank you, baby.

    INA has given me insta-orgasms. On my first try, despite not knowing how to work the controller and accidentally attempting to insert both parts of it into me, I fumbled my way to a gushing orgasm in just a few quick minutes. The second trial included my husband’s cock and a butt plug – I came strongly and in no time flat. INA my new best friend.

    Note: Possibly the most adorable LELO review ever! Who doesn’t love to see photos of the reviewer in a bunny suit to celebrate LELO’s awesome rabbit vibe! Seriously, go look at the pictures and read it.

Editrix

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

On to the reviews…

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]]> http://essin-em.com/2010/02/pleasurists-64/feed/ 0 Book Review: Big Book of Sex Toys http://essin-em.com/2010/02/book-review-big-book-of-sex-toys/ http://essin-em.com/2010/02/book-review-big-book-of-sex-toys/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:08:01 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=3258

One of my favorite sex educators, the lovely Tristan Taormino, has just published another fabulous book.  Now, I hold her book Opening Up on various types of relationships (both non-monogamous and monogamous) to be the best in the field, and her book Down and Dirty Sex secrets is one of my favs.  I’m happy to say that her newest book, the Big Book of Sex Toys, does NOT disappoint, and I think is absolutely stunning.

In the past, there have been one or two other books on sex toys. However, the sex toy field has definitely evolved and changed drastically in the last decade, and we needed new material.  Moreover, we needed from someone who knows toys, loves toys, works with and is around toys on a regular basis. Thanks Tristan for stepping up to the plate.

This book talks about toys as a whole, breaking down categories, talking about materials, going from the broad to the specific, covering everything. I didn’t see as much as I would have liked on either kegels/sex toys for kegels, or on sex toys that are great for disabilities, but other than that, I was incredibly impressed by the amount of both breadth and depth of this book.  Tristan really knows her stuff (and knows how to research) and it shows.

My one issue with the book is that while there are absoultely stunning color pictures throughout, with close ups of the toys (although some pictures are used multiple times), and while these pictures contain some racial diveristy, there is certainly no gender or orientation diversity, none the less size and ability diversity.  However, I don’t fault Tristan for this; I know that certain publishers like certain looks for their books, and sometimes go over the author’s head regarding the photography.  Sad, yes, but it happens.

That said, this is an amazing reference book, and while I think anyone would do well to have it, I would specifically and emphatically recommend it to  sex bloggers/sex toy reviews, sex therapist/counselors, sex educators, and anyone who works with people in the field of sexuality. It’s important to know about toys, about materials, and the back of the book has an excellent reference guide pointing out great sex toy stores, sex toy companies, and much.

I give this book 4.5 stars (out of 5). It loses half a star for a combo of the lack of diversity/little bits of missing info I’d like, but I HIGHLY recommend this book, and will definitely be giving it as a present to many of my friends in the future.  Hats of to Tristan for yet another great book!

Click here to get your own copy of the Big Book of Sex Toys!

-Essin’ Em

]]> http://essin-em.com/2010/02/book-review-big-book-of-sex-toys/feed/ 1 Sex Book Review: Sex with the Lights On http://essin-em.com/2009/12/sex-book-review-sex-with-the-lights-on/ http://essin-em.com/2009/12/sex-book-review-sex-with-the-lights-on/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:01:36 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=3022 I’ve started reviewing for another company. They’re called Trinity Romance, and they are based in Canada. Both a brick and mortar store as well as a website, they pride themselves in only selling phthalate free products.  In addition to being sex-positive, they are also environmentally conscious - they even sell bamboo underwear (I know, they sent me a lovely pair as an affiliate welcome gift. Super comfy!)

Here is a little from their “about us:”

Trinity Romance Shop is a socially responsible, community minded, health conscious retail outlet located in the small mountain town of Squamish, in between Vancouver, and Whistler. We are a small operation priding ourselves on the customer service that we give as well as the quality products that we sell. Due to lack of government regulations it has forced our industry to be self regulated in terms of healthy, non-toxic products that are available in the marketplace. We at Trinity pride ourselves in the lines that we distribute, and the manner in which our consumer is educated. Discretion and a comfortable, unique, informative atmosphere where consumers can explore their more intimate side are paramount in our approach to meet our customers needs.

With that said, they were kind enough to send me Ducky Doolittle’s book Sex With the Lights On.

sex with the lights on

Now, I own a lot of sex books/guides/etc. However, I’ve sadly missed out on owning this book until just now. I follow the author on my twitter, and love hearing what she has to say.  Her book was definitely a must have.

It’s arranged in different categories, from chapters about body parts to chapters about activities. What makes it different than most sex books? Instead of an information only format, the majority of the book is written in a question and answer basis, again, divided by subjects. She also includes some fun facts, little paragraphs of info in some sections, on some great real life experiences/thoughts/quotes from actual people.

If you own every sex book out there (which I am on my way to doing…), it’s not going to be so much awesome.  It does contain a lot of the same info as other books because let’s face it – sex info is sex info. However, she does it in a fun, no pressure, definitely not scary way, which is very much needed in today’s culture. Reading Sex with the Lights On is kind of like having a sex conversation with a close friends or trusted educator; you know you’re getting accurate info, but it’s just fun to talk about it instead of being boring or intimidating.

I’d suggest this as a great book for a newly minted sex-positive friend, for a teen/college aged young adult asking for sex info/advice, or for someone look at opening their mind, and possibly experimenting sexually, and wanted some good, solid 411 before they jump off the deep end. Great holiday/birthday/any day of the year gift.  I’m glad to have it on my self, as I’m constantly lending out books, and know this one will be frequently borrowed.

Want to get your own copy of Sex With the Lights On? Click here!

-Essin’ Em

]]> http://essin-em.com/2009/12/sex-book-review-sex-with-the-lights-on/feed/ 0 Pleasurists #52 http://essin-em.com/2009/11/pleasurists-52/ http://essin-em.com/2009/11/pleasurists-52/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:08:04 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=2923 FOLKS – ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS TO ENTER MY BLOGIVERSARY CONTEST! - Don’t YOU want to win a sex swing, and butt blugs, and electric toys, and dildos, and porn and more? ENTER NOW!

looklook

via looklook

 

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #51? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #53? Submit it here before Sunday November 1st at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.

Note: Apologies for being late yet again, I was so hoping not to be this week. In case you don’t follow Pleasursts on twitter I was in the hospital for a few days and sans laptop. Sorry!

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

Madame Editrix

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

Editor’s Pick

  • Tantus Vamp by Amber from Scarlet’s Letter

    • I love this toy! The color is rather unique to most other realistic dildos. The subtle sparkle of the silicone makes it pretty without being too loud and obnoxious. The ridges and texture of the shaft of the toy feels marvelous, and the slightly curved prominent head of the toy feels fantastic.

    Note: I am endlessly amused by the Tantus Vamp, plus it was just Halloween, and Amber’s great review was too good to pass up as an editor’s pick. I just wish Tantus would make a sparkly red one, I’d be all about it.

On to the reviews…

Vibrators

Dildos

Anal Toys

Toys for Cocks

Lube, Massage Oil, Bath Stuff, & etc.

BDSM/Fetish

Adult Books/Games

Adult Movies/Porn

Miscellaneous

 


]]> http://essin-em.com/2009/11/pleasurists-52/feed/ 0 Pleasurists #46 http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-46/ http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-46/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:03:55 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=2719  

body

via allinone

 

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #45? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #47? Submit it here before Sunday September 20th at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

Madame Editrix

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

Editor’s Pick

  • G-Twist by Shanna Germain

    • The battery housing is slightly confusing — you have to press the sides in really hard in order to open it (I struggled with it for so long, I thought about asking my neighbor for help, but since I’ve not said anything more to him than “hello” and “oh, it’s really okay that your dog barked all night long, no worries,” I figured that showing up at his doorstep with a pseudo-cock, a couple of batteries and a helpless look wasn’t the world’s best idea).

    Editor’s Note: While there have been a lot of G-Twist reviews lately from all the new GoodVibes Brand Ambassadors I think this one far surpasses the others (including my own). Not to say the others are bad, perish the thought, but just because this one actually made me smile at times and even chuckle at others.

On to the reviews…

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]]> http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-46/feed/ 0 Pleasurists #45 http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-45/ http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-45/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:07:42 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=2636  

ruero

From ruero.

 

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #44? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #46? Submit it here before Sunday September 13th at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

Madame Editrix

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

Editor’s Pick

  • The Ethical Slut by Beautiful Dreamer

    • “How many people have you had sex with?” A few guys answered, I cheekily put in “I can just barely count them on my fingers and toes.” One of the guests, for whatever reason, yelled “Damn, your girlfriend is a slut!”. Aidan calmly & cooly replied, “Yes, she likes sex, where is there a problem in that?”

    After all, my self pleasure and self respect should be all that counts. Not a number, not the kind of relationship I’m in, nor my sexuality. I am a slut. This book not only empowers that, it celebrates it.

On to the reviews…

Vibrators

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Anal Toys

Toys for Cocks

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]]> http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-45/feed/ 0 Pleasurists #44 http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-44/ http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-44/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:05:01 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=2612  

ruffle

Ripple Effect II by ~xXTaintedwhispersXx

 

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #43? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #45? Submit it here before Sunday August 30th at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

Madame Editrix

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

Editor’s Pick

  • Fresh Chain Leash by AveryDragon

    • Humiliation on its own seems petty and mean; this I do admit. However, humiliation is the key for lust and passion when the person being humiliated secretly enjoys it. [...] Fresh uses bright pastel colors that a guy might get his girl to ease her into the idea of BDSM by showing it can be cute but still strong. In my case, when there are two guys involved, I make my boy take one for the team and work with products he never dreamed of being in.

On to the reviews…

Vibrators

Dildos

Anal Toys

Lube, Massage Oil, Bath Stuff, & etc.

BDSM/Fetish

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Miscellaneous

 


]]> http://essin-em.com/2009/09/pleasurists-44/feed/ 0 Pleasurists #43 http://essin-em.com/2009/08/pleasurists-43/ http://essin-em.com/2009/08/pleasurists-43/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:02:56 +0000 Essin' Em http://essin-em.com/?p=2551  

focus

via sexy_photo

 

Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #42? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #44? Submit it here before Sunday August 30th at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.

Note: No Editor’s Pick again this week, instead enter one of the many many contests that are going on!

Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.

Madame Editrix

Scarlet Lotus St. Syr

On to the reviews…

Vibrators

Dildos

Anal Toys

Toys for Cocks

Lube, Massage Oil, Bath Stuff, & etc.

BDSM/Fetish

Adult Books

Adult Movies/Porn

Sex Furniture

Miscellaneous

 


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