erotica books/alternate sexuality - read list

This group has a great concept, and seems as though it should attract a varying group of people, but it does not have much activity, so I was wondering if there could be a reason for people to come back, they would. I have been a part of a couple of challenges (not saying it needs to be done in challenge), but the basic concept is to list on a regular basis any of the books that you read that would match this genre. Giving you a count of how many you read in a week, a month or a year.

Anyway, I hope others of you join me in doing this, it might generate more conversation as well as basic traffic. At any rate, I hope you don't mind if I do it because some of the erotic books I read I don't put on my other lists for one reason or another (if you know what I mean).

Hi there! I'll definitely play along; have starred the topic. I think the only thing I've read this year that falls into this category so far is Anne Rice's The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, though I suppose Faggots is arguably also alternate sexuality/erotica. I was considering doing an all gender/sex/kink list for the readathon I'm doing in December... Haven't decided one way or the other, but I think if nothing else, I'll at least incorporate one or two titles in my list :)

That's great, I know that alot of the paranormal I read would technically fit into an erotic category also, (do you list how you want of coarse) for this group/list I am concentrating on the for "alternate sexuality" - (the kinky, gay, ect....).
I did a little back tracking over the past week and was able to start my list - so far they are just short stories so there seems like a lot but it is probably only about 200 pages total (they range from 7 to 50 pages each).

Thanks for joining in.

An interesting initiative, onyx95. As erotic literature is something I read a lot of, in my efforts to understand how it interacts with more active forms of sexuality, I cannot shirk from contributing here. I probably read around 90-100 works in this category in a year.

As I see it, the biggest obstacle to any public discussion of 'alternative sexuality' relates to the privacy issue. Even giving a hint of preference in subject matter may be thought to contain 'too much information'.

The word 'alternative' itself implies the existence of some kind of norm. In the erotic literature of today, in which anal is almost commonplace (wordplay here intentional), and even incest is to some extent approved, what constitutes the norm? Other areas currently losing past auras of disapproval include erotic flagellation (spanking, whipping, caning, etc.) and a wide spectrum of bondage activity, although the latter may perhaps be still most acceptable in fantasy writing. Homosexuality seems to be nowadays a matter of taste in this context.

Finally: As always, I suspect, each one of us, however 'alternative' we believe ourselves to be, has very fine lines between 'Wow!' and 'Yuck!' in what we read. In a related way, if I provide a list of the erotic fiction I find most arousing, I risk polarising those who read it (or follow my recommendations) into 'wierdo/soulmate' decisions about me that might make me uncomfortable.

Is there any way of avoiding this?
.

Good points Clifford, I have had the same concerns..... I had thought about starting a private - by approval only - but what would be the requirements?

If you don't want to post books than don't, I just didn't want all of them in with my regular 100 book challenge (partially because of content, partially because most of the books that I have been reading that are of 'alternate sexuality' have been shorter mini stories and I don't want to count them as a "book").

Another option is that you don't have to rate them or talk about which of them you like. You have it set up as research material so if you want to just list them that is always an option also.

I chose this group to post on because it seemed the most NON-judgmental of the few erotic groups available, but I did also consider starting a new one. If you (or anyone) would be more interested in this idea if I did create a new group (and made it private), I will.

Again, thanks for voicing your concerns.
I am open to suggestions!

One book that I feel transcends most 'personal' boundaries is Harriet Marwood, Governess by John Glassco, also known as Miles Underwood. This has appeared in countless editions, sometimes with the title 'The English Governess' ('English' being erotic code for erotic punishment on the hindquarters, usually with scholastic overtones). Unfortunately, some editions were bowderlised.

I suppose that this would mostly be considered a 'femdom' book, in that it gives graphic detail of the humiliations, whippings and canings inflicted on its young gentleman by Miss Marwood, but I personally found it to have a much broader erotic appeal.

I would suggest that this is partly to do with the subplot of (approximately) conventional activities between the young man's father and his mistress, but there may well be a number of influences that broaden its appeal. I find that this book provides a lot of food for thought when considering the plethora of potential influences on the arousal of an individual.

As 'spanking' is now almost mainstream, perhaps others might care to add their opinions.

Perhaps there are other, broadly appealing books that might help avoid the restriction you suggest, onyx. Restriction may be necessary, of course, but ideally I feel we should be working towards a more open 'discussion environment'. I'm more than happy to join you in this enterprise!
.