Title: Best Sex Writing 2008 Author: Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor Publisher: Cleis Press Publish Date: 2008 Pages: 203 Genres:: Compilation, Fantasy, Fetishes, Fiction, Interviews, Non-Fiction Reviewer: SexHerald Staff

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Best Sex Writing 2008 draws together essays from a variety of well-known writers. Cutting right to the politically incorrect chase is “Big Mouth Strikes Again: An Oral Report” (Rachel Shukert) which asks the question: Is a woman’s ethnic background connected to how well she performs fellatio? “In Double Your Panic” (Kevin Keck), a father to be whose wife is expecting twins wonders if it’s karmic payback for the horny lust he felt himself for twins as a teenager. “Battle of the Sexless” (Andrea Halpern) slices into the fringe world of castrations – those who request them, and those who perform them and those who oppose them. “Kink.Com and Porn Hysteria: The Lie Of Unbiased Reporting” (Violet Blue) examines how the coverage of adult content is often far from objective, and the only way to balance the religious right is with an honest liberal left.

“The Prince of Porn and the Junk Food Queen” (Gael Greene) chronicles the author’s research romance with a legendary and very human 1970s porn actor. “Tough Love” (Kelly Rouba) takes you to the part of sexual culture that deals with helping disabled people to work around physical limitations to have as much sexual ecstasy as possible. “Dirty Old Women” (Ariel Levy) looks at how differently sexual assault can be perceived when the victim is not female but male and willing.

“Stalking the Stalkers” (Kelly Kyrik) is a nonfictional narrative focused on adults posing as children online to snag pedophiles. “Sex in Iran” (Pari Esfandiari and Richard Buskin) tunnels deeper into the world of sexual mores in Iran and the recent scandal of a popular Iranian actress allegedly appearing in a sex DVD. “Surface Tensions” (Jen Cross) shows a gay woman’s struggle to reconcile with the way the world identifies her and how she identifies herself. “Sex and the Single Septugenarian” (Liz Langley) is a look into the busy lives of older people whose sexual appetites only intensify over time. “The Pink Ghetto: A Four Part Series” (Lux Nightmare and Melissa Gira) laments the marginalizing and judgmental reactions that can spring from venturing into mainstream writing after using your real name to write about porn. “To Have or Have Not: Sex On the Wedding Night” (Jill Eisenstadt) examines the pressure this honeymoon tradition can put on a couple that’s just not up for it on the exact day they tie the knot. “How Insensitive” (Paul Festo) studies the connection between circumcision and the loss of sexual sensation and sensitivity for a man.

“The Study of Sex” (Amy Andre) looks at how college classes and sexual studies have intensified. “Dangerous Dildos” (Tristan Taormino) is a public health message about toxic materials often present in sex toys that all enjoyers should be aware of. “Absolut Nude” (Miriam Datkovsky) ponders the current naked-party trend and the consequences of casual nudity on sexual excitement. “The Hung List” (Scott Poulson Bryant) is a revealing interview with black porn producer and star Lexington Steele whose experience of ethnic bias has been gained firsthand. “The Glass Closet” (Michael Musto) analyzes the choices made by sexually ambiguous celebrities. “Menstruation: Porn’s Last Taboo” (Trixie Fontaine) looks at how the world struggles to determine whether or not a woman displaying the products of her monthly cycle in an erotic setting is obscene. “Buying Obedience: My Visit to A Pro Submissive” (Greta Cristina) chronicles the author’s emotional landscape and sexual responses during her experience.

Academically and thoroughly, Best Sex Writing 2008 covers the good, bad and outer edges of sex.