It’s time to put down your smartphone and pick up a book.
National Book Lovers Day is celebrated every August 9th. It’s a time for readers to come together and share their love for books, reading, and all things literature.
However, we’re celebrating it a little differently. Forget the chaste classics. Start National Book Lovers Day with sex-positive books. These titles look at sexuality, sex work, and everything in between. You’ll find something in this X-rated reading list whether you want to learn or enjoy.
We’ve separated the categories into sex work, relationships, sexuality, history, and steamy romance novels to help you find your match.
Keep reading now to learn more.
Books on sex work
First up are sex work-focused books. Use these educational reads to develop your understanding of sex work and to challenge your misconceptions of the job:
1. Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight For Sex Workers’ Rights
By Juno Mac and Molly Smith
One of the most famous sex work books around, this title examines sex work and global sex worker rights from an empathetic angle. Both Mac and Smith are former sex workers who approach the topic with great care and knowledge. You’ll be left with a better understanding and questions to grapple with.
2. Sex Work Matters
By Melissa Hope Ditmore, Antonia Levy, and Alys Willman
Another poignant book on sex work is Sex Work Matters. This non-fiction book is made up of essays from notable scholars and activists, plus insider insights from sex workers on how they handle money, police, and intimate relationships. It also touches on male and transgender sex work, which might be especially interesting if you want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ side of the industry.
Relationship focused books
Whether you’re looking for love or want to develop your current relationship, these relationship books might be up your street. They’re not as sexy as other books on the list, but they’re great for developing your connection with your partner(s).
3. Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
By Sue Johnson
Dr Johnson is the founder of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and focuses on helping couples strengthen their emotional bond. This book is internationally praised as being a guide to staying connected after marriage and throughout difficult situations.
4. Polysecure
By Jessica Fern
If you’re considering polyamory or alternative relationship styles, Polysecure could be the next summer read for you. This well-known polyamory book serves as a great starting point for the lifestyle and helps tackle difficult themes, such as jealousy within relationships.
5. Why Men Love Bitches
By Sherry Argov
Why Men Love Bitches gives an analytical view into why strong women are considered attractive to men. Perhaps not the book for everyone reading this blog, but it’s worth a look if you’re interested in heterosexual relationship dynamics.
Sexuality
Human sexuality is a beautiful and complex concept. Begin exploring it with these excellent books.
6. Queer Sex: A Trans and Non-Binary Guide to Intimacy, Pleasure and Relationships
By Juno Roche
Roche is a transgender activist who has their finger in the pulse of the LGBTQ+ scene. This frank and humorous book discusses desire, dating, and sex while also featuring leading voices in the trans and non-binary community.
7. Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life
By Emily Nagoski Ph.D.
If you’re interested in learning about women’s sexuality, Come As You Are should be on your bookshelf. This science-backed book helps readers understand sexuality and how to transform their sex life into one filled with joy, confidence, and pleasure.
8. Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex
By Angela Chen
Ace is all about what it’s like to be asexual in the modern world that’s seemingly obsessed with sex. From interviews to cultural criticism, Ace gives readers a new perspective and details some of Chen’s own self-discovery journey.
9. We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
By Samra Habib
A 2022 Lambda Literary Award winner and shortlisted for the 2020 Edna Staebler Creative Non-Fiction award, Habib’s novel explores life as an Ahmadi Muslim growing up in Pakistan and their journey to Canada as a queer person. Read as Habib tackles art, love, queer sexuality, and faith with a masterful touch.
The history of sex
Do you know the history of sex? No worries if you don’t. These books will give you an at-home history lesson that isn’t a total snooze fest.
10. Bad Gays: A Homosexual History
By Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller
Travel back in the past and explore a world of gay icons and queer heroes that aren’t as squeaky clean as you’d think. Lemmey and Miller present compelling stories and the history of homosexuality with plenty of context and some humour along the way.
11. A Curious History of Sex
By Kate Lister
Dr Kate Lister is a historian, presenter, and columnist who’s not afraid to speak about taboo subjects. A Curious History of Sex tackles sexual myths, stereotypes, outdated sexual practices, and how sex differs around the world. Plus, it contains oodles of Lister’s enigmatic personality, making it extra delightful to read.
Steamy novels
Lastly, let’s look at some sexy novels. Maybe you want a traditional romance book. Or maybe you want erotic fiction with all of the juicy details. We’ve got you on both fronts!
12. Escorted
By Claire Kent
A woman hires an escort to take her virginity, but the relationship doesn’t stop there. Kent’s hot and steamy story doesn’t hold back on the smut. You won’t want to read this in public!
13. The Worst Guy
By Kate Canterbary
Two surgeons start off as enemies and end up in bed together. They’re competitive, feisty, and passionate. The perfect steamy book with a sprinkling of slow burn romance.
14. Honey Girl
By Morgan Rogers
Honey Girl follows a recent PhD graduate as she parties in Las Vegas. However, this isn’t any ordinary girls’ trip. She drunkenly married a mystery woman, and, well, we’ll let you discover the rest!
15. Heated Rivalry
By Rachel Reid
Looking for a sports romance? Heated Rivalry should be on your list. This tells the tale of two rival hockey stars and their struggle to keep their secret romance out of the public eye.
Start reading about sex and relationships now. Jump to the Vivastreet blog here.
