Book Recommendations

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and enhancing intimacy within your relationships is a profound and empowering experience. This week, we bring you a curated list of books that delve into the realms of passion, polyamory, kink, s*x, communication, and connection. Whether you’re seeking to strengthen your relationship, explore new facets of intimacy, or simply understand the complexities of human connection, these books offer valuable insights and guidance. Happy reading!

• In Come as You Are, Emily Nagoski, PhD, revolutionized the way we think about women’s sexuality. Now, in Come Together, Nagoski takes on a misunderstood subject: sex in long-term relationships. 
• In Nancy Friday’s Secret Garden, hundreds of ordinary women, safe behind the walls of anonymity revealed the details of their own most private fantasies. My Secret Garden is the daring compilation of those fantasies.
• Existential Kink is a provocative exploration by Carolyn Elliott that encourages readers to confront their shadows and desires. Elliot suggests a unique method for personal growth, advocating the idea that embracing and understanding one’s darker aspects can lead to empowerment and fulfillment.
• Magnificent Sex is based on the largest, in-depth interview study ever conducted with people who are having extraordinary sex. It gathers the nuggets for remarkable sex from the “experts”, distilling them into an attainable blueprint for ordinary lovers who want to make erotic intimacy grow over the course of a lifetime. Also – keep an eye out for a Pleasure Project Podcast coming soon with co-author,  Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D. 
• Last but not least, Polysecure by Jessica Fern challenges the mainstream focus of attachment theory on monogamous relationships, extending its application to the realm of consensual nonmonogamy. As a polyamorous psychotherapist, Fern introduces a nested model of attachment and trauma, broadening our comprehension of how emotional experiences shape relationships. The book offers a pioneering blend of theory and practicality, presenting six specific strategies to guide individuals striving for secure, happy attachments within the complexity of multiple relationships.

Ready to unpack your own relationship to sex? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy. Or you might also consider joining the next Pleasure Circle. You can find out more at my website: Pleasure Project or tune into the Pleasure Project podcast for volumes of free, rich content about women’s pleasure journey.

Are you ready to join the conversation? Do you have topics you’d like to hear more about? Send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future newsletter or the Pleasure Project Podcast.