Book Review: As Kinky As You Wanna Be by Shanna Germain
The Loving BDSM Kinky Book Club read As Kinky As You Wanna Be by Shanna Germain for September (I know, we’re late!), an informative and fun read. It included a ton of information about living and exploring a kinky life along with some very fun erotic fiction.
About As Kinky As You Wanna Be
From Goodreads: “As Kinky as You Wanna Be is not an instruction book. It won’t teach you how to tie up your squirming lover or choose the proper lube.
Rather, it teaches you how to be a kinky person who has safe, sane, and smart experiences. Like a tourist’s guide to BDSM, As Kinky as You Wanna Be offers a road map to your own kinky self. This book helps you discover which kinky countries you want to visit, gives you tips and techniques on the language of BDSM, and helps you navigate the customs and rituals of the kink community.
With sections on discovering your pleasures; talking about kink with your partner, your family, or your doctor; staying physically and mentally safe; putting your kinky dreams into practice; and dealing with difficult situations, As Kinky as You Wanna Be is your guide and confidant. The book features informative interviews with BDSM experts such as Jay Wiseman and Lee Harrington, and it is sprinkled with stories from top erotica authors like Janine Ashbless and Rachel Kramer Bussel.
Whether your first kinky experience or thousandth, As Kinky as You Wanna Be guides you — safely and smartly.”
As Kinky As You Wanna Be Review
Every chapter focused on a different aspect of the kinky lifestyle. Topics ranged from discovering your kinky side to learning about the ins and out of consent. It also discussed self care and taking care of yourself because being into kink can be strenuous, depending on what you like.
Each chapter of information was followed by a bit of erotic fiction that related to the topic. Not only do you get practical information and guidance but you get a little turned on reading about a particular kink. Fifteen people contributed to the book, not just Shanna Germain, including real life practitioners of BDSM, sex educators, a physical therapist, and some top erotica writers. The diversity of views and styles make this book a must read.
Chapter eight, Handling Rough Terrain, included really good information that most people need. Life doesn’t always go the way we want it to, and in the blink of an eye it can throw us a curve ball. This chapter talked about how this doesn’t mean that your kinky life is over. You just need to learn how to adjust. Anything can be overcome if you are willing to work for it and want it bad enough. As the author states, illness and aging happen. They just a couple of the typical potholes in life. Yes, they can slow down your kink but you can overcome and adjust.
Useful Information for All Kinksters
Staying safe while playing should be on your mind when doing a scene or role playing. Again the information shared in the book applies to everyone, Dom, sub, Top, or bottom. Things like having a first aid and safety kit on hand when you play. Knowing how to get to the nearest hospital. Another good point made: know the law about BDSM for your state and country. Laws vary wildly around the U.S. and the world. In many places spanking or flogging could be considered abuse which makes having clear consent important.
Jay Wiseman sat for an insightful interview in the chapter on playing safely. He’s a well known author, rope rigger, and workshop leader in BDSM. He offered his thoughts and personal perspective on what you can do to both protect yourself and still have fun.
Shanna Germain even packed the Afterword with extra information including a glossary of common terms, kinks, and fetishes. The author also included a resource guide with a number of nonfiction books. The topics related to everything D/s and BDSM from rope play to fetish sex as well as videos about sensual bondage, rough sex, and more. If your taste runs more to erotic fiction, she added a list of authors and fiction too.
All in all, As Kinky As You Wanna Be by Shanna Germain is a good book to add to your kinky library. It offers powerful information and some supercharged erotica.
Sound interesting? Buy your copy on Amazon (use this link and we can afford more coffee) or anywhere you like to buy books!
