Sex Ed Book Review

Sex Ed Book Review
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Bimonthly

We're reading all of the books about sex ed and sexuality, so you don't have to! But we'll tell you all about the books, so you'll want to read them!

  1. Aug 1

    Episode 60: Curvy Girl Sex

    In this episode, Barb and Landa get delightfully nerdy about Curvy Girl Sex: 101 Body-Positive Positions to Empower Your Sex Life by Elle Chase. They ALSO talk fiascos (melted dildos, passed-out students), the fallout of FOSTA/SESTA on sex educators and sex workers, and why body-inclusive, kink-aware, trauma-informed sex education is still so hard to find online. Barb walks through why she fell in love with this book before finishing it. If you’ve ever wanted a joyful, no-shame guide to pleasure that actually centers fat and marginalized bodies, this one’s a gift-worthy keeper. Show Notes: Curvy Girl Sex: 101 Body-Positive Positions to Empower Your Sex Life – Elle Chasehttps://www.ellechase.com/curvy-girl-sex Taylor Lorenz & Siri Dahl discussion on the long-term impact of FOSTA/SESTAhttps://share.google/TV6diQQE0ZejJBdbD “What is SESTA/FOSTA?” – Decriminalize Sex Workhttps://decriminalizesex.work/advocacy/sesta-fosta/what-is-sesta-fosta/

  2. Jul 1

    Episode 59: Drawn to Sex!

    In this episode of Sex Ed Book Review, Landa brings Drawn to Sex: The Basics and Drawn to Sex: Our Bodies and Health (from Erica Moen and Matthew Nolan- the creators of Oh Joy Sex Toy). Barb and Landa dig into why we LOVE these authors and their work for grown-up sex ed that is fun and educational! Bonus: Landa and Barb also share deets on their favorite OJST articles. (spoilers...Landa's fave is Paying for Porn by Matthew Nolan and Barb's is DIY BDSM Toys by Valerie and Adam

  3. Jun 1

    Episode 58: Making Nice with Naughty

    In this episode of Sex Ed Book Review, Barb brings Making Nice with Naughty: An Intimacy Guide for the Rule-Following, Organized, Perfectionistic, Practical, and Color-Within-the-Line Types by Dr. Tom Murray. Barb also shares some radical self-disclosure about her own therapy journey, over-control, and perfectionism, and how this book helped her rethink intimacy, vulnerability, and connection.

  4. May 3

    Episode 57: Kink 101

    Today we're reviewing Unf#ck Your Kink by Dr. Faith G. Harper and 101 Kinky Things Even You Can Do by Kate Sloan. We chat about what “kink” even is, where it comes from (maybe), why “normal” sex is a moving target, and why so many neurodivergent folks find a comfy home in kink and BDSM. If you want a playful menu of ideas from dirty talk and sensory play to gags, zapping, and...more, or you want to dig into the science of "why do I like this", join us. We have some answers! Additional Resources: Come As You Are: Emily Nagoski https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Come-As-You-Are-Revised-and-Updated/Emily-Nagoski/9781982165314Tell Me What You Want : Justin Lehmiller https://www.sexandpsychology.com/books/#tell-me-what-you-wantSexuality and the Black Church: Kelly Brown Douglas https://orbisbooks.com/products/sexuality-and-the-black-church-copy Gayle Rubin: “Charmed Circle of Sexuality” https://oro.open.ac.uk/105114/ Yes/No/Maybe Lists Scarleteen: https://www.scarleteen.com/read/relationships/yes-no-maybe-so-sexual-inventory-stocklist Sunny Megatron: https://sunnymegatron.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/YesNoMaybe-SunnyMegatron1.pdf BexTalksSex: https://www.bextalkssex.com/yes-no-maybe/

  5. May 3

    Episode 56: Kinky History

    Barb and Landa kick off a kinky mini-series by diving into Kinky History by Dr. Esme Louise James...part research, part beach read, and fully nerdy. They unpack chastity belts that probably never existed the way you think, penis graffiti in ancient Pompeii, and Mozart’s surprising enthusiasm for butt stuff. If you’re a sex educator, clinician, or kink‑curious nerd who wants receipts that people have always been freaky, this one’s for you! Author and research: Esme Louise James: https://www.esmeljames.com/ Sextistics: https://www.esmeljames.com/sextistics Kinky History podcast: https://omny.fm/shows/kinky-history TikTok: @doctor.esme.louise Instagram: @esme.louisee Related resources we mentioned: Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy by Hallie Lieberman https://www.hallielieberman.com/what-we-do Pompeii sexual graffiti and phallic art https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/stone-phalluses-of-pompeii Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum https://www.goodvibes.com/content/c/antique-vibrators Sins Invalid https://sinsinvalid.org/ "Comforting, Reassuring, and…Hot": A Qualitative Exploration of Engaging in Bondage, Discipline, Domination, Submission, Sadism and (Sado)masochism and Kink from the Perspective of Autistic Adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38435321/

  6. 10/19/2025

    Episode 55: Sex for One

    Welcome to the Sex Ed Book Review Podcast! In this installment, Landa dives into the CLASSIC book "Sex for One" by Betty Dodson. Landa and Barb explore the author's journey as a pioneering sexual health educator, discuss the book’s frank approach to solo sex and self-pleasure, and reflect on its impact, strengths, and legacy. Whether you’re a longtime fan of sex ed resources or just curious about the evolution of conversations around self-pleasure between the 1970's and today, this episode offers thoughtful insights, a few laughs, and plenty of book recommendations for your to-be-read pile. SHOW NOTES: Learn more about Betty: https://www.dodsonandross.com/ (CW: some real photographs of g******s on the website - not pornographic but educational.) There is a great free clip from SlutEver with Betty  where she calls herself a professional masturbator in the interview (and it’s a delight) Sex Education- Television Series (Barb is convinced that Betty was the template for Gillian Anderson's Jean Milburn)

  7. 10/05/2025

    Episode 54: Pleasure Activism

    In this episode, Barb and Landa dive into "Pleasure Activism" by adrienne maree brown—a powerful collection of essays exploring the politics of feeling good. Join us as we unpack how pleasure, sex, and sexuality intersect with community, disability justice, and personal empowerment. We get PASSIONATE about this book today, and we are pleased to share it with y'all! Find Pleasure Activism HERE! RESOURCES AND LINKS: adrienne maree brown https://adriennemareebrown.net/ Rest is Resistance- Tricia Hersey http://www.triciahersey.com/⁠ The Will to Change - bell hooks Laziness Does Not Exist- Dr. Devon Price Beyond “Yes Means Yes”: A Behavioral Conceptualization of Affirmative Sexual Consent - Emily Sandoz and the Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group (note from Barb: DEEPEST APOLOGIES to Dr. Sandoz for forgetting everything about you and your incredible lab!!!)

  8. 09/21/2025

    Episode 53: Porn is Not Sex Ed with Jess Melendez

    Hi everyone, we're back and looking forward to learning with you! Wondering how to help teens make sense of what they are watching online? Today we're talking with Jess Melendez, author of "Porn Is Not Sex Ed." Discover how her new book is making conversations about pornography literacy more inclusive, approachable, and fun! Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just passionate about honest conversations, this episode is packed with real talk, creative ideas, and the encouragement you need to start the conversations that matter. Get Jess’s book here! https://us.jkp.com/products/porn-is-not-sex-ed Learn more about Jess: https://www.jessmelendez.com/ Check out the YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Jess.Melendez Remy Alva’s Instagram: @hewasazombie Show Notes: https://www.erikamoen.com/ https://www.ohjoysextoy.com/

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out of 5
2 Ratings

About

We're reading all of the books about sex ed and sexuality, so you don't have to! But we'll tell you all about the books, so you'll want to read them!

Information

  • Creator
    Sex Ed Book Review
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sex Ed Book Review
  • Show Website
    Sex Ed Book Review