What Everyone is Saying….
About Susie and Aretha Bright’s
Heather Corinna, Founder, Scarleteen:
This is probably not the kind of sex advice you’ve really seen before.
These are not the kinds of mother-daughter conversations about sex you’ve heard or even imagined were possible before.
— Maybe you should see this because you’ve gone without answers to sex questions this personal, this candid, un-cautious, and relaxed.
— Maybe you should see this because there is a profound lack in your life of the kind of in-your-cozy-sweatpants, laughing-but-not-uncomfortable-giggling sexual conversation at dinner tables or while hanging out on the sofa on a lazy Sunday morning.
Whatever the reason, read on!
Our Amazon Reviews:
Susie and Aretha's advice not only saves their readers from heartache and disease but they are so HILARIOUS with their back-and-forth replies that you feel like you are sitting right at the dinner table with them as they argue over what to tell you (Cue a 19-year-old's eye roll and a mom's astonished mouth agape) This is the easiest to read and most practical sex-advice book ever written. Hands down. You get two extremely knowledgeable opinions not one.
I know they say "Adults Only" in the title but let's get real! Teenagers need this ASAP. This book actually trumped my "what I would do if I win the Lotto" fantasy--No more Italian Villa--Now I would buy this book for every young woman--guys too--because I seriously loved it that much and know it's that helpful and that needed. These questions are what girls REALLY want to know--it's so easy to read and no B.S.
—Shar Rednour
I think my parents would have died of embarrassment if it had become public knowledge that, as a nine year old, I didn't know where babies came from. When other parents were rumored to be having "the talk" with their third graders, my parents had to muster an insane amount of courage to broach the subject with me and my little brother. They were clearly nervous and miserable as they dutifully read us some library books about fallopian tubes and cell division. I listened, wide-eyed and confused. In the end, I didn't really understand that couples might go through this complicated intercourse procedure for any other reason than to have a baby.
SEX ADVICE by Susie & Aretha Bright is such a breath of fresh air. Reading this book is like getting to eavesdrop on the coolest mother/daughter sex talks that you never had with your own mom. The topics are much wider ranging than fallopian tubes and cell division. In addition to answering questions on everything under the sun, they sidetrack into funny personal anecdotes like the time little Aretha absconded with a pretty, swirly dildo to use as an evil character in a complex Barbie plot. The book is at its best when Susie and Aretha aren't in total agreement. The witty banter and multiple perspectives are very enjoyable.
The Kindle book has the added advantage of having hyperlinks to articles, diagrams, book recommendations, and more. I recommend this book for all adults and also for teenagers. Without ever being preachy, the overriding messages in this book are about the importance of communication and being true to yourself. What parent wouldn't want that for their children? Unlike those awkward sex ed movies that made stilted statements like, "Sex is natural," SEX ADVICE actually feels natural. The ease and comfort that Susie and Aretha share when answering their readers questions, is contagious, and it sets a good example. Buy this book for your kid. Kids, buy this book for your parents. They might need it even more than you do.
—Laura
As someone who writes for teenagers, teaches teenagers and has raised teenagers, I know that they don't need to be protected from information about sex. They need to be presented with more of it. This is a book that does it right by being accurate and playful and not filled with the usual combination of health class info and fear-mongering. (Yeah, I know that the book says Adults Only, but teens who read it will respond positively to being talked to as adults.).
I love the quirky and provocative questions and the way Susie and Aretha grapple with providing meaningful and honest answers. I love how mother and daughter show that it's possible to explore these "taboo" topics with good humor and good sense, but with respect for each other's personal boundaries. Susie and Aretha are excellent models for us all.
So parents, you should leave this book open on your ereader to start a conversation with your child. Even better, teens leave it open on your ereader to show mom (and even dad) how important it is for you to hear about not just menstruation and STIs, but love, relationships and the sex that often accompanies it.
—Jill
Jezebel Readers:
MEMO:
To: Jezebel Editors
From: Jezebel Readers
RE: Ms. Bright (and daughter Aretha)
It has come to our attention that you have started a series of posts wherein Ms. Bright (and daughter Aretha) answer readers’ questions about assorted sexual topics and give overall advice regarding said topics.
These posts have proven to be insightful, informative, and entertaining.
We heartily recommend that this become a regular recurring feature on Jezebel; perhaps weekly like “Pot Psychology.”
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this and we look forward to a positive response regarding this matter.
— AidelMaidel
This [writing] was astonishing, and makes me want to go upstairs and promise my two sleeping little girls that I will be as good a mother as Ms. Bright clearly is. And I will totally be buying her book.
— Queenjulie
These two are stomach-turning. There are some things that should not be shared between parent and child.
— Chic Noir
Hey, CHIC NOIR: Honestly, I WISH my parents had been more upfront with me about sex — it would have made all the difference. So many parents pretend that they themselves don’t have sex or never did before marriage, or just don’t address the topic at all, which in turn makes their children not want to communicate about sex — or makes them feel the need to be secretive or feel that sex is shameful. I don’t think Susie and Aretha’s relationship is for EVERYONE, but it’s certainly healthy and definitely awesome that they feel comfortable being so open.
— AntiSocialSociality
CHIC NOIR: Yep — ”stomach-turning” is the first word that popped into my head when I read their easygoing, joking comments and reasonable, helpful responses.
— AprilLayne
This was so inspiring (and made me get all teary). I hope I can do half this well when the time comes.
— Resplendent.bitch
Although it sometimes makes me uneasy when I think about the fact that they are mother and daughter, it also inspires a bit of jealousy - I wish I could discuss some of these issues with my own mother with even a fraction of the honesty and frankness they share.
— Helen Skor
Love this. I hope my son grows up to find me safe and trustworthy enough that he could come to me for any kind of help. Susie and Aretha have a good thing going.
— Ritualtheory
Right ON Susie and Aretha! Sex-education starts at home. :)
— Xan’tstopwon’tstop
THIS RULES!
— Zap rowsdo
I’m not gonna lie. I’m jealous of you, Aretha.
— BeSarcastic
