For techniques on the basic S&M and BDSM this is a good primer.

It's focus was on cis-gendered and heterosexual people. It also only focused on Male!Dominant and Female!Submissive, which is not always the case.

They claim that since they are cis-gendered, straight, white, male!dom and female!sub, that they could not write about others in the kink community- even though gay men started the scene. That's pretty lazy writing, because you could have researched or interviewed people. At least there was some acknowledgement for Queers* and POC and inter-racial relationships. Not the point though.



Basically, sums up kinksters. LOL

All-in-all, taken everything into account (that I am a female bodied person), this book was pretty good. I did learn quite a few things about lifting and power-lifting, and as a vegetarian what supplements to use and things I need to help build muscle. It wasn't as relevant to me, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment or it's usefulness (Especially to someone else).

My wife loves this book and uses it as a part of her regiment.

So ymmv.

Awesome fairytale retellings.

"The Name" is a dark take on Rumpelstiltskin. Telling the story from the viewpoint of a heartbroken man, the author really changes things up and gives you a new view on this old story. I enjoyed it a lot.

"Blood and Bone" is an odd twist on Jack and the Beanstock about a devastating disease and the disturbing ingredient needed to prolong the lifespan of the afflicted. It's another grim tale, to be sure, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. The choices made by the lead protagonist weren't well thought out . . .

"A Bed of Peas" isn't the fairy tale you may think it might be. This one wasn't my favorite because I felt a disconnect and disinterest to the characters and storyline. It also wasn't grim enough for me ;)

"The Good Mother" more than makes up for the lack of grimness in the previous tale and is a truly imaginative take on a classic fairy tale. Sad, desperate and a great little read.

"The Voice of Love" is about a doomed prince and a mermaid. It just didn't grab me.

The rest of these tales are variants of the same. Classic fairy tales told from a very different perspective and all were fascinating to me.