Book Review: Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year, Volume 6

Sinclair Sexsmith, Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year, Volume 6. Hoboken, NJ: Cleis Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781627783132.

 

Genre: erotica

Subgenre: short stories, lesbian, LGBTQ+ 

Format: trade paperback

Source: I was provided a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review 

Find it in a library near you via WorldCat. 

Purchase a copy from the publisher, or your favorite indie bookstore (or wherever you get your books).

 

This book definitely has a variety of stories and perspectives. It explores a broad range of views, activities, and identities. Whether you are experienced or just a curious explorer, you are bound to find something that speaks to you, something that moves you. The book features 23 stories that represent various images, voices, and experiences. A strength of the anthology is in how validating the stories are. 

The editor starts the book with an introduction that presents the theme of the book: connection, a challenging theme at any time and more so in the Hard Times we live now. The stories in the anthology explore that theme in new and creative ways. We often see a bit of ingenuity from the protagonists seeking and finding those connections be they in person or virtual. 

In the book's introduction, the editor also acknowledges these are challenging times, especially in the United States, challenges that at times "also caused disconnection and pain" (ix). Yet the people in these alluring and moving stories find a way. Pain is at times part of some stories, embraced even, becoming an arousing experience, even an art form. 

The editor also writes about the book: 

"I am very proud of how much I've been able to bring in a wide range of gender and sexuality experiences in this series so far, including explorations of asexuality, kink, power dynamics, femininity, masculinity, androgyny, genderqueerness, transgender experiences, neurodiversity, physical ability, age, polyamory, and more" (x). 

I can say after reading this book that the editor succeeds in presenting a diverse, enticing, at times moving collection of experiences and erotic adventures. This is an anthology that pushes the boundaries of what erotica can be and can do, and it is reflective of the times we live in. Rather than being escapist, the stories take us away on various journeys while working within the current reality. Just because the times are hard now it does not mean we forget pleasure. On the contrary, the stories strongly show and hold on to pleasure, and they bring us readers pleasure as well plus a way to connect their experiences and ours in the act of reading. As the editor writes, 

"We can lose ourselves in the feelings, communities, and identities described in these stories. We can see ourselves reflected and feel less alone" (x). 

I did lose myself in these stories. Part of the reason it took me some time to finish the book is that I kept getting lost. I kept lingering over a particular line or an arousing image or some element that moved me. This is not a book to rush through. It is a book for readers to take in the experiences, to visualize the scenarios, to just read, enjoy, and let out a happy sigh as you finish a story and move to the next. I would also like to suggest that it is a book to share with those close to you. These stories can be good read aloud too. 

Twenty-three stories provide a lot of choices, but here are some that stuck with me as a small sampling of what the book offers: 

• "Something Had Shifted" by B.D. Swain is the opening story. A story about very hot drinks and date via Zoom is just perfect for these times. When it comes to online meetings, Zoom by now is almost everywhere, and the story's characters take full and hot advantage of it. The story also reflects on age among other things. This story was a good choice to open the book. 
• "Home" by Ash Watson is one of the stories exploring pain. It has one of my favorite lines in the book, something often so true about life: "Honey, sometimes things have got to hurt a little before they feel good. . ." (12). 
• Meg Elison's "Code" was a story that I was not sure about a detail or two, but I found it very intriguing. It has a touch of science fiction and also a bit of humor. I was smiling when I finished this one. 

Overall, this is a great erotica anthology with a strong diverse selection of stories. I enjoyed it very much, and I hope that readers picking up the book enjoy it as well. 

This is a book I highly recommend for libraries, especially public libraries that collect romance and erotica. If they also collect LGBTQ+ titles, this is one to add as well. It is part of an anthology series, but it does stand alone well. If you have not read previous ones, this is a good entry into the series. 

I am happy to have read it, and I am glad to recommend and feature it in reader's advisory. 

On a final note, the book also includes short notes about the story authors in the back of the book in case you want to seek out more of their works. You can also learn more about the editor and their works at their website: https://sugarbutch.net. 

5 out of 5 stars.