SEX PLUS

Internet personality and debut author Green gives readers a jam-packed guide to human sexuality.

Initial information about anatomy and a brief stopover in identity-based questions soon transition to the nitty-gritty of sex, relationships, and related topics, including consent culture (possibly the most interesting section) and kink. This tome contains a lot of information to take in at once. “Since you may encounter topics in this book in a different order IRL than they’re presented here, you’re invited to skip around. However,” says Green optimistically, “reading it cover to cover will provide ~maximum impact~.” It also skips around in tone, going from eye-glazing scientific descriptions to a chatty, faux-sisterly style heavily peppered with up-to-the-moment meme-speak that will quickly render it dated (the white author includes liberal dashes of AAVE). Despite the emphasis on remaining nonjudgmental, hints of authorial finger-wagging subtly creep through, like a description of some sex as “a liiiittle too rough” or instructions to “be proactive” after an abortion “and find a reliable birth control method that works for you to prevent another unplanned pregnancy.” Attempts to use gender-neutral language are only somewhat consistent, and an introductory note—“Should any of the language in this book not resonate with your experience, please know this is not meant to confuse or invalidate anyone”—does little to lessen the possible impact of confusing or invalidating language.

A useful enough guide to some aspects of sexuality and related topics.