A book that I will present to my daughters once they reach an appropriate age to empower them in their sex life. This remarkable book not only validates that what they desire is genuine but also provides the reasons behind it. It clearly outlines what he should do, and it reassures them that they can most definitely ask him for precisely that. Moreover, in the event that he is ignorant of how to fulfill those expectations, this book offers valuable suggestions on what he should read to enhance his understanding and skills. It serves as a comprehensive guide, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate this important aspect of their lives with grace and authenticity.
I happened to come across this book while browsing through my bookcase. I have a great fondness for Kerner's books, and I already own six of them.
This particular book is a must-have for every sexually active man. It is truly fantastic. Although it contains some scientific elements, its value cannot be overstated.
The information and insights provided in this book can enhance one's understanding of sexual health and relationships. It offers practical advice and tips that can be beneficial in improving one's sexual experiences.
Whether you are looking to enhance your own sexual well-being or improve your relationship with a partner, this book is well worth reading. It is a valuable addition to any man's library.
It's rather a strange book to review on Goodreads. Not that there's anything amiss with it. However, publicly discussing a book about sex can give one a queasy feeling, as if one has been caught red-handed (or in this case, with one's partner's pants down). But perhaps we should shed this false sense of shame. After all, there's nothing disgraceful about wanting to educate oneself about sex.
This isn't my first encounter with this book. The first time was many years ago when I was seeking to understand something I knew very little about. While I delved deep into the book (mmm), I was deterred by all the details and timings in the practical part. I was afraid I could never measure up to what the book seemed to expect of me. There are beginner-friendly sections, but I wish they received more attention instead of being relegated to the appendices.
Now, upon rereading, I can see how much this book has influenced my evolving understanding and approach to sex. Even many of the techniques I thought were beyond my reach, I now realize I had unconsciously incorporated into my repertoire over the years. Looking back, I regret not finishing it then or reading it even earlier. I'd love to go back in time and give it to my 15-year-old self, tell him to get ready for some quality fun time, and then run away because I'd be an adult giving a sex book to a teenager, regardless of the context. But I'm infinitely grateful that it entered my life and had an impact.
The timings and detailed steps still sometimes seem a bit absurd, as if one is expected to take a stopwatch and a cheat sheet to bed. But now, with considerably more experience under my belt, I can see its value as both a guide for novices and a way to fill in knowledge gaps for advanced participants. The advanced routines also present a challenge that I'm excited to work towards.
Plus, they're only half the book. The first half is dedicated to getting the reader into the right mindset, to stop seeing cunnilingus and overall non-male pleasure as an afterthought or a means to an end, but as one of the main events. It can be an appetizer, but it's a big mistake to view it as anything less. Of course, neither I nor the author can convince those who have no taste for it to enjoy it. But part of the book's point is that anyone interested in certain types of bodies owes it to both their partner and themselves to give it a good try. It seems so obvious to me that I feel like I'm preaching to the choir, but then again, the TV series Insecure had a storyline about how humiliating going down is just a few years ago, so who knows how crazy people are.
I also like how the author approaches his subject as a source of enlightenment. There's no talk of conquering, getting laid, showing off, or anything like that. It's just not that kind of book. Instead, from brutal honesty about himself, he presents a true appreciation for the body of his subject and the pleasure within. It can sometimes feel a bit cultish with all the flowery language and manifestos, and a bit amusing with the clinical descriptions of intimate acts. But aside from that, it's an approach I appreciate, which is no surprise considering how the book has affected my mental growth.
I'd even call it a bit feminist in how it aims to educate its mainly cishet male target group about the importance of female pleasure, bringing more equality to the bedroom. Although, of course, not everyone with the genitalia addressed in the book identifies as a woman, and it must be recognized that the real target group is anyone with a partner with a vulva, not just cishet men.
I wish my younger self had worried less. Back then, I thought, "Oh god, how am I supposed to qualify? I could never memorize all this." But really, as the author says in the end, it's not about perfection. It's about more than that - closeness and pleasure. Just like sex itself - there is never any perfection, but with a good sense of humor, trust, a sense of adventure and discovery, and plenty of desire, it can be so much better. And it's no small compliment that this book can help in that regard. Even now, I found a lot to learn from it, adding to my existing knowledge and familiarity and expanding my toolkit, so to speak. At the very least, it's a must-have in my library. And a great birthday gift for anyone with a vulva to give to their partner with a hopeful and mischievous smile.
Edit (10.6.24): Half a year later, and having read more about the topics the book touches on, I can't help but like it less. I'm still grateful for the positive impact it had on me, but much of what Kerner recommends is laughably rigid, and some of the tips are obsolete, like "doing the ABCs." It also seems harmful in how it encourages the idea of performance rather than cooperation and communication. Mutual pleasure is somewhat mentioned, but not really. Reading "Come as You Are" made me come back and lower this book's rating. I do have my own issues with that book, but it feels smarter than Kerner's and more caring of the female participant. For Kerner, she may come first, but in "Come as You Are," it actually matters what she thinks about it.