Are you curious why everyone raves about anal pleasure but have a reluctant, hard to convince butt? Me too! Tristan Taormino can help with her book 'The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex For Women'.

Back in 1996 when she began the first edition of this book there wasn't a whole lot of information out there about how to safely and sanely enjoy anal sex. Most sex guides glossed over or completely trashed anyone who thought they might want to explore the area between their butt cheeks. Through the popularity and notoriety the first edition of this book Ms. Taormino has developed workshops, videos, designed two butt plugs and answered countless thousands of questions about this subject, and finally revised her earlier edition to include new information and techniques making this second edition feel like an ever evolving work in progress.

One thing that Ms. Taormino is adamant about is that anal sex shouldn't ever cause pain. This was a revelation because it always did for me, sure the pain might fade and then become wildly pleasurable but more often than not it didn't and I was left wondering whether these other people who claimed to LOVE anal penetration were just placating their lovers or insane. Having met many women (and men) like me Ms. Taormino starts her book with a very thorough look at 12 popular myths about anal sex. Throughout the book she includes anecdotes gleaned from her workshops and letters she has received which help to personalize the book and do, in fact, make it much more user friendly. The book moves very smoothly on to anal anatomy, emotional and psychological aspects of anal eroticism, preparing the ass for pleasure, enemas, safer sex, lubricants, anal toys, anal masturbation, analingus, anal penetration, anal pleasure for men, BDSM and anal play, Long-term butt plug wear, anal fisting, common issues and problems, anal health (including ailments and STDs) and finally a great resource guide should you need more detailed information! As you can see this book really does cover almost everything you could ever want to know about anal sex.

Through the whole book Tristan speaks to her reader in an enthusiastic and friendly tone. I found myself chuckling over some of the problems she has encountered in her work, and identifying with her students in a way that made me feel welcome rather than silly or worse stupid. The diagrams are well drawn and easily understood as well as thoroughly explained.

The book's cover probably wouldn't be work safe as the title is written in very large, colorful and eye catching font. The cover art is very tasteful, however, showing only a ver nice picture of a woman's butt dressed in a short, see thru, brown dress and her hand. This would be fine sitting on a bookshelf or coffee table if you aren't worried about discretion. The book is published by Cleis Press and is a slightly over-sized paperback. It is the usual high quality I have come to expect from Cleis.

I decided to pretend I was a total novice to anal sex, it wasn't a large stretch of the imagination. I read the book from cover to cover before beginning some of the suggested exercises. I used plenty of good quality lube, both water and silicone and found that this made ALL the difference! I explored my butt with a mirror and became intimately familiar with the whole area before attempting any penetration. I used vibrators to stimulate and relax the anal ring and erotic massage techniques to help me prepare physically and mentally for penetration as instructed by this guide. All I can say is WOW! For the first time when a finger began to press and enter my butt I didn't cringe, it actually felt GOOD. I have worked up to very slender probes and actually am looking forward to more.

Thank you Ms. Taormino, finally I can enjoy my whole body rather than sectioning off the one area my partner's seem most interested in!

We are thoroughly enjoying educating our various playmates on proper anal play with Ms. Taormino's help. No one who plays with us leaves thinking anal play should hurt at first then feel better after a while...or that you have to just grit your teeth! Saliva is not lube for anything but your esophagus! This is an amazing resource.