I've judged people by the books they're reading. This happens a lot while riding the NYC subway. Books are that rare life accessory that says a lot about who we are. If you're reading a popular emotional porno like Something Borrowed, it means that you believe in the power of hunky men who'll use their hospital residency off-hours painting your living room lavender while baking a soufflé. There was the dude I saw with the hipster beard, which is defined as a heavily shampooed and conditioned lumberjack beard that DJs Sunday nights, who was reading a dog-eared copy of Tolstoy's War and Peace. That communicated to me that he enjoyed iconic 19th Century literature about the merciless tumult of history, and also he drinks Jameson's watered down with too much ice and will sleep with you if you're a fashion urchin interested in lame literary poses.
We recommend these couple-friendly books for your joint summer reading list.
The summer weather has been so great, that amidst all of the outdoor brunches, pondside picnics, and trips to the beach, it's easy to forget that the best most romantic summer experiences often occur when there isn't much activity around you. When you feel a little heatstroke coming on, why not pick up a good book and chill out? If there's someone special in your life, we recommend doing a joint summer reading list. You'll keep each other accountable, you'll develop your taste, and nothing says chemistry like bonding over shared love of a book. Here are four to get you started:
We talk sex, love and pop culture with best-selling author Jackie Collins.
From a twice-married woman who seems to have experienced it all (she's rumored to have had an affair with Marlon Brando), Jackie Collins shares her thoughts with YourTango on romance, her love for Paris Hilton and why one should never use the word "small" in bed.
The classic film "Love Story" taught us about saying sorry to loved ones and more.
In light of the recent death of Erich Segal, the former Yale classics professor who wrote both the novel and screenplay of "Love Story," we compiled the love lessons we took from the 1970 film. "Love means never having to say you're sorry" and more.
Romance authors penning books with Amish characters as romantic leads.
Talk about an Amish paradise!
The quiant community from Southeastern Pennsylvania are quickly developing their very own Carrie Bradshaw in Cindy Woodsmall—the Amish romance novelist.
Stephanie Meyer's finale will leave fans of the vampire saga disappointed.
Breaking Dawn turns out to be as cold as a vampire’s skin. It lacks all the intensity and passion that made so many fans flock to this series the first time around. The only real emotion evident in Breaking Dawn is the deep love Meyer holds for all of her characters. She wants to ensure a happy ending for everyone of them, even if that means breaking all the rules to get them there.
Germany's aghast at Wetlands, a sex-drenched new novel by super-cute TV personality, Charlotte Roche. In the novel, the 18-year-old character, Helen, enjoys anal sex and gets off on...avocado pits? (Yes, you read that correctly.) As the New York Times put it, "It is difficult to overstate the raunchiness of the novel, and hard to describe in a family newspaper." That's the best endorsement ever, right?
What it's really like to spend all day spinning sexy stories.
Writing about sex has always been an honorable tradition. Just like good sex, good sex writing is in the details, the images, the scenario, the melding of reality and fantasy. We read erotica for inspiration, sometimes to lose ourselves, though we often find parts of ourselves within the story. Good sex writing paints a picture; it shows as well as tells, and it connects your mind to your body. Sounds good right, the life of an erotica writer? Can't you see me in my sexy lingerie, sitting at my laptop, popping bonbons from a heart shaped dish into my mouth, porno playing as I sample sex toys for research? Unfortunately the reality is very, very different.
