I am currently writing this wearing the least amount of clothing that is still considered socially acceptable to be seen in public. I have directed my tiny, overworked fan towards me and am sucking on ice cubes. I am getting NHS heat alerts and texts from my friend telling me to brace myself because Paris currently resembles the seventh circle of hell. Safe to say, I’m having some kind of hot girl summer. The idea of hot summer nights always seems sexy: staying up late because you can only function once the sun sets, short skirts and low-cut tops, tousled hair at the top of your head and cooling down by allowing the condensation of your glass to run down the back of your neck. Knocking back Negronis with nothing but olives lining your stomach paves the way to heat[stroke] fuelled hedonistic behaviour.
Much like my produce consumption, I also like to keep my reading seasonal. This recent Feeld report confirmed my suspicions that talking about sex leads to having better sex: “People don’t need to be told what their desires are. They need better language to express the ones they already have.” In the spirit of keeping our summer hot and sexy, I’ve curated a list of books to get you talking, or at least thinking, about sex.
For this list, I’m taking liberties with my definitions of sexy. Sexy isn’t just about sex; intimacy is sexy, so is making me laugh or talking until two am. From tales of coming of age teeming with hormones and strong emotions to mid-life reawakenings and a dash of semi-performative dick lit, I’ve cast a wide net for books bringing sexy back.
A Spy in the House of Love by Anaïs Nin
This book introduced me to Nin’s work when I was sixteen and was the line that got me hooked on stories about reckless (complimentary) women doing everything in pursuit of pleasure. Whilst flipping through the copy I annotated over years ago and never revisited, in Sabina I no longer saw the allure of growing up, but instead could nod in recognition. A masterclass in the complexities of love, sex and intimacy, and required reading for any young woman figuring things out.
Jean by Madeleine Dunnigan
I was promised a sexy read with Jean, and it did not disappoint. Taking place in a boarding school for troubled boys in the 70s, the complex relationship between the titular Jean and Tom blooms in a way that is only possible for teenagers who are feeling everything at once. Love, anger, friendship, jealousy and mistrust all come together in a story that will have you feeling the intensity of being fifteen again.
Vladimir by Julia May Jones
Midlife crises might just be okay and sexy when women do it. This book is the epitome of supporting women’s wrongs. Chronicling the relationship between an older academic with a rocky marriage who becomes obsessed with her younger colleague, Vladimir is vulgar and uncomfortable at times, but you won’t put it down.
Just Kids by Patti Smith
If you haven’t already noticed, I’m taking liberties with my definitions of sexy. This book made me cry in public, and not in a tasteful single-tear-down-the-cheek way, but in a snotty sobbing way that meant my aeroplane seatmate was genuinely concerned. There is nothing sexier than intimacy, and nothing more intimate than honesty. Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe make me a believer.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
I’ve included this title in the list in part because I’ve had a long-standing crush on Anthony Bourdain (there’s something about a well-travelled man who can confidently order for the table that just does it for me) and in part because if you bring this book up on a date with a straight man, if he didn’t already, there is now a 95% chance that he wants to have sex with you.
Lovers XXX by Allie Rowbottom
Summers are for confusing homoerotic friendships. They are also for smart and thoughtful considerations on sex work, power and their effect on love and relationships. Lovers XXX was highly anticipated and highly praised (both by media outlets at large and sexy smart women in my personal life) and is my next sexy summertime read.
Thank you for reading Novis Newsletter! I hope you’re braving the heat and having a sexy summer! I’m always open to book recs, so if you have any other books for bringing sexy back, please leave them in the comments!!
Loved Kitchen Confidential and definitely need to test out this claim now…and Lovers XXX was such a good summer read I want more by her now
summers r for confusing homoerotic friendships 🤨👀😌