The Many Shades of BDSM
Title: The Many Shades of BDSM
Author:
Publisher:
Published: 2012
Page Count: 222
Format: Paperback
"A safe and scintillating entry into the escalating pleasure of BDSM. Do you secretly fantasize about succumbing to your partner's bedroom wishes? Do you wonder what it would be like to bend to each and every wild command and be gagged and tied up?...You can turn your carnal fantasies into reality. This thrilling exploration of pleasure and pain will ease you into the exhilarating world of BDSM with escalating steps that guide you through formerly…

I remember the year 2011 when “50 Shades of Grey” flew off the shelves, becoming the favorite mommy-porn of my co-workers. It’s irrelevant if I liked the book because it brought BDSM to a largely vanilla audience as the most purchased book in recent memory. BDSM stands for “Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, Sadism & Masochism (some of the letters do double duty in the acronym),” according to writer Roni Loren.

This book was published in 2012 during the mania of “50 Shades.” While this book is not an instruction manual in BDSM, it is a gentle invitation to “try it, you might like it.” This beginner’s guide does discuss some of the basics of BDSM and emphasizes rules, trust and safety (physical and emotional), as well as how to escalate your play if you do like it. The book’s index is a thumbs up but the overexposed art photos get a thumbs down.

The book is divided into the four letters of the acronym, plus a little more. For intance, bondage for beginners might include a way to get out of the bonds. But all the implements are described–rope, gags, tie downs, handcuffs, spreader bars, and the serious large equipment like a St. Andrew’s Cross. Beyond BDSM, the book discusses fantasy role play, all kinds of toys, having a safe space to play, and even kink outside the bedroom.

As I read “Many Shades,” I had a physical and emotional reaction to each BDSM topic, which I was not expecting. Based on my life experiences and experimentation with DH, I do know what I like and don’t like in BDSM. I was even reminded about fantasies that we as a couple have spoken about but never enacted. That spice is essential in a long-term sexual relationship: find out what turns you on and bring variety to the bedroom. Anyone who has a curiosity about BDSM should read this book. If you expect hard core anything, you won’t find it here. But if you discover toys and techniques for the first, or fifth, time, maybe it’s time to make a To Do list with your partner.

And did I like “50 Shades of Grey”? It was poorly written thus I did not.

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