Amazon describes the little-known (thank God!) 1999 self-help book, The Rules For Getting Laid: Get The Sex You Want as an “outrageous, hilarious, politically incorrect book shows men the boneheaded mistakes they make in seducing women” and tells “readers the secrets no one else will have the guts to speak!” Well, that was putting it kindly. The Village Voice dug up a copy of the out-of-print book and combed through the pages for useful tips from authors David Graff and Ray Schwartz (two men who clearly have never gotten laid). Spoiler: there weren’t any. But there are plenty of super offensive, misogynistic, bordering on stalker-ish/rape-y pieces of sex advice to get whipped up about. Let’s do that, shall we? After the jump, the worst, most awful, most WTF sex advice from the book that promises: “Feminist women and men will try to ban or burn this book!” Burn, burn, burn! Keep reading »
Tag Archives: books
Like This, Love That: Your Music & Book Recommendations For The Week!
Welcome to a new semi-regular feature on The Frisky in which we comb through all the new releases in books and music, and present you with our top picks. We’re calling it “Like this, Love That” — think of it as a human “Amazon Recommends,” or that friend of yours who’s always on top of the newest and the latest. Check out our picks for this week — including J. Cole’s new album and Neil Gaiman’s latest — after the jump!
Keep reading »
Frisky Q&A: Jo Piazza, Author Of Love Rehab: A Novel In 12 Steps
Have you been watching every episode of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” since way back? Us, too. Have you been just a little disappointed and confused and, oh why don’t I just say it, bitter at how much less shiny and magical actual romances are in real life? Us, too. Have you ever acted like a coo-coo bananas bird after a breakup? US, TOO! Well, there’s a new book out this summer called Love Rehab: A Novel In 12 Steps, written by Jo Piazza, a former gossip columnist for the New York Daily News, that combines all of these topics!
We get mailed a lot of books that you could classify in the “chick lit” genre here at The Frisky. Amazon.com ain’t got nothing on us! Most of them I send straight to the giveaway pile, but every so often I’ll read one (preferably lying in the sun, with my pedicured toes in the sand) that’s smart and funny and shareable with friends. Love Rehab is that book. After the jump, Jo Piazza answered some questions for me via email about her best breakup tips and her thoughts on current “Bachelorette” Desiree! Keep reading »
Nominated CIA Deputy Avril Haines Is Into Some Sexy Stuff
When the only other “Avril” the world has known is a time-warped punk star, what else did you expect, Mr. President? Apparently, the newly nominated deputy director of the CIA, Avril Haines, used to host Erotica Night at her Baltimore bookstore back in the ’90s. Haines co-owned Adrian’s Book Café in Fells Point and helped develop the monthly erotic gatherings, where guests would read aloud their sensuous tales over dinner.
What were these nights like, you’re wondering? Well, according to a 1995 Baltimore Sun article… Keep reading »
Mommie Dearest: On Having An Only Child
When I first read a review of Lauren Sandler’s new book, One and Only: The Freedom Of Having An Only Child And The Joy Of Being One , I was hopeful. As the mother of an only child (and with no plans at all to have any more children), I’ve had my fair share of judgement from others. I’ve been told I’m selfish, that I’ll live to regret this decision, that my child will grow up lonely, that he’ll end up resenting me and his father for not giving him any siblings, that he’ll feel burdened when it comes time to care for us in old age. The list goes on and on. I’ve heard variations on these remarks from family, people I know well, and complete strangers.
Trust me, this wasn’t a decision we came to lightly and it’s one that is constantly on my mind. In fact – shameless self promotional plug – my essay in my upcoming anthology about the myth of the “good mother” deals specifically with this topic and is titled “Yes. I Am That Selfish.” So to read about a book that thoughtfully takes on the notion of having one child — and debunks many of the myths commonly associated with it — felt a bit liberating. Keep reading »
7 Fictional Father Figures Who Helped Raise Me
I’ve written before about why my dad is awesome, but looking back at my childhood, he definitely wasn’t the only father figure in my life. Being the imaginative weirdo that I was, most of my alternate dads were completely and totally fictional, but that didn’t make them any less integral to my emotional development. It was actually pretty hard to pare down this list, but here are 7 fictional characters — from a Jedi Master to a clumsy handyman — who were my imaginary dads, and taught me a lot about life in their own unique ways… Keep reading »
Werewolf Erotica For Everyone!
- Good news, prisoners: a California court has ruled you have a First Amendment right to all the “erotic” werewolf novels you desire. Hubba, hubba. [Raw Story]
- An actress named Shannon Richardson of Texas, who had small roles on “The Walking Dead” and “Vampire Diaries,” has been arrested for allegedly sending ricin-laced letters to President Obama.[Yahoo]
- Check out the trailer for Woody Allen’s newest film, “Blue Jasmine.” [The Atlantic Wire]
- “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner addresses those rumors that the office asskisser Bob Benson is secretly a government spy. [The Wrap]
- Katie Holmes had dinner this week with feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Weirdest. Pairing. Ever. [US Weekly] Keep reading »
10 Life Lessons I Learned From Reading Young Adult Novels
As is true for most aspiring writers, I was first a reader. I think I learned to read at like 4 and completely devoured The Babysitter’s Club series, and then the Hardy Boys, there were some kids in a boxcar that were really entertaining. And then Harry Potter happened and I literally wrote myself a Hogwarts acceptance letter and left it in my parents room. Needless to say, I was a weird child. In any event, through my preteen years, young adult novels were my jam. I learned like all of my important life lessons via teen novels. I mean, really, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret taught me everything I needed to know about dating and love and relationships and the importance of getting boobs.
Here are the top 10 life lessons we’ve gathered from the best young adult novels. If you haven’t read any of these yet, you should. With your big grown up college brain, you’d get through them in like a week. Read more on College Candy…
10 Awesome Summer Beach Reads
I’m all about reading — all of it and everything, and at any time, but my favorite place to read is most definitely the beach. With the return of 90 degree heat and high humidity, my mind starts wandering to getting my body to a seashore, stat. My beach reads usually consist of a clutch of month-old Us Weeklys and something large and ambitious like Middlemarch, but this year I’m looking to change it up. The best beach read has a compelling story, and an elusive combination of substance and fluff. Thankfully, we did the legwork for you — click through to see The Frisky staff’s recommendations for breezy summer beach reads with bite.
George R. R. Martin Is Writing A “Game Of Thrones” Coffee Table Book Now
The book in question, according to George R.R. Martin, is “a compendium of the history and legends of the world of Westeros,” and though it’s officially called The World Of Ice and Fire, UK publisher HarperCollins has given it the nickname “The GRRM-arillion.” I like that name better. The nerd is strong with this one.
For all you Westeros backstory fiends, the book is presented as a book given to King Robert Baratheon just after the Rebellion and will contain, per Martin:
“Never-before revealed details of Aegon’s Conquest, the War With the Faith, The Dance of the Dragons, the Paramours of Aegon the Unworthy, etc.”
The book, co-written by Martin and fansite Westeros’ Elio M García, will be out next spring. Read more on The Mary Sue…
