love & relationships

~ all about love: new visions — by bell hooks ~

Review from Eloise: Love. bell hooks presents an exploration of love in all of its forms—romantic, familial, communal, and self. And she does so in a way that, in all honesty, is terrifying. Everything I thought that I knew, or more relevant, didn’t know, was turned upside down in the most illuminating way. Western culture has turned love into both a commodity and an ideal. She is able to deconstruct the most common of misconceptions and challenges us to radicalize our evaluation of how we approach love through challenging the cultural norms that distort our perceptions. But, she guides us every step of the way, weaving in philosophical reflections, personal experiences, and wisdom from spiritual traditions, offering a holistic view of love as a transformative force that can heal.

~ The Ethical Slut – by Janet W. Hardy & Dossie Easton ~


Review from Drew: This is the book you’re handed at the front door on your first day of polyamory school. But I honestly think anyone would benefit from reading it - if not cover to cover, then at least skipping around in it and reading the parts that either intrigue or horrify you. The book is written on the radical premise that sex is nice and pleasure is good for you, and are parts of life to be sought after and celebrated, not ashamed of. As I read it I felt a huge weight come off my chest and lots of moments of “Wait - yeah! It should be that way!” Very liberating book, which is what I’m after.

~ Still Life with Woodpecker — by Tom Robbins ~

Review from Eloise: This book just might be the love of my life, and I don’t say that lightly. I sleep with in next to my bed. I go out of my way to bring it up in conversation. It not only is an interpersonal love story, but it is a love story, a love message, a love loving to the moon. It is a dream come true. Just be sure to have a pack of Camel Blue cigarettes (or at least a reference photo) for you will end up spending far too long holding a flashlight/magnifying glass searching for hidden women and words…A short and sweet review, I refuse to say anything more other than, A MUST READ <3

~ Polysecure — by Jessica Fern ~

Review from Olivia: whether you are polyamorous or not, this has the best section on attachment theory I have ever come across