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Insatiable: Porn–A Love Story
Asa Akira (28) has already had an extremely unusual life. Educated at the United Nations International School in Manhattan, she soon was earning a good living by stripping and working as a dominatrix at a sex dungeon. Akira has now built up a reputation for being of the most popular, hardworking, and extreme actors in the business, winning dozens of awards for her 330+ movies, including her #1 bestselling series "Asa Akira Is Insatiable”.
In Insatiable, Akira recounts her extraordinary life in chapters that are hilarious, shocking, and touching. In a wry, conversational tone, she talks about her experiences shoplifting and doing drugs while in school, her relationship with other porn stars (she is married to one) and with the industry at large, and her beliefs about women and sexuality. Insatiable is filled with Akira’s unusual and often highly amusing anecdotes, including her visit to a New Hampshire sex shop run by a mother and son.
In a world where porn is increasingly becoming part of the mainstream, Akira is one of very few articulate voices writing from the inside. She something important, controversial, and astonishingly interesting to say about sex and its central role in our lives and culture.
In Insatiable, Akira recounts her extraordinary life in chapters that are hilarious, shocking, and touching. In a wry, conversational tone, she talks about her experiences shoplifting and doing drugs while in school, her relationship with other porn stars (she is married to one) and with the industry at large, and her beliefs about women and sexuality. Insatiable is filled with Akira’s unusual and often highly amusing anecdotes, including her visit to a New Hampshire sex shop run by a mother and son.
In a world where porn is increasingly becoming part of the mainstream, Akira is one of very few articulate voices writing from the inside. She something important, controversial, and astonishingly interesting to say about sex and its central role in our lives and culture.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
219 people are currently reading
2695 people want to read
About the author
Asa Akira
4 books153 followersIn 2014, Asa published her first book "INSATIABLE - Porn: A Love Story" with Grove Press, which was named one of New York Post's Best Books of 2014.
Her second book, "DIRTY THIRTY: A MEMOIR" is due to release in August of 2016 from Cleis Press.
Praise for INSATIABLE - Porn: A Love Story by Asa Akira:
"Akira is not only passionate about the porn industry, she’s shameless, funny and even endearing."
-Susannah Cahalan, New York Post (Best Books of 2014)
“An intimate look at her life. Each chapter is filled with brutal honesty and self-deprecating humor. It’s touching, inspiring, and flies in the face of a lot of people’s preconceptions about the life of an adult film star. What’s most refreshing is that the high points of the book aren’t the double-penetration and masturbation scenes—even though that stuff is great—it’s her strong storytelling, which makes her struggles and triumphs in the adult film industry super relatable.”
-Erica Euse, Vice
"It is common for mainstream porn stars to explain their choice of profession with some variation on “I just love sex. . . . When Asa Akira says it, though, I really believe it. . . . And yet, no person can act as the flawless representative for an entire group of people — and certainly not while writing a memoir worth reading. Luckily, Akira doesn’t try to do that with her book. . . . All of which is to say, her book is a lot like her porn: raw, brutal and always unflinching.”
-Tracy Clark-Flory, Salon.com
"Candid, funny, sexy, and smart...Akira expertly explores the human side of the sex industry...Shocking and tawdry, but ultimately relatable, this is a tale of a young girl realizing her dreams and navigating dangerous temptations (drugs, hooking, pizza) along the way."
-Royal Young, Interview Magazine
"Insatiable is, at turns, laugh-out loud funny...poignant...and outrageously politically incorrect...But above all else, it’s a brutally honest look at one woman’s journey through the adult industry."
-EJ Dickson, The Daily Dot
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
May 27, 2014
Received this through First Reads Giveaways, but I didn't enter the giveaway for myself. I entered it for my granddaughter -- (yes, I know, that seems quite odd, but she is an author of women's erotic fiction, so I thought this might be something she'd enjoy or could utilize). I, myself, do NOT think that this is something I'd enjoy at all, so I didn't even bother cracking the cover. However, I waited until my granddaughter finished reading this and then asked her to write me a review and give me a rating.
Here goes:
"My grandmother gave me this book, and I was excited. I am quite the fan of Asa Akira's work actually. I'm not ashamed to admit that I own a couple of her dvds, and I really enjoy them."
(As the grandmother, I must admit I didn't need to know THAT about my granddaughter, but moving on...)
"So I was thrilled at the chance to read this account of her life and have a look at the porn industry from an insider's perspective. But I was VERY disappointed. I admit, I expected some measure of superficiality from Akira -- I mean, for God's sake, she's a porn star -- but the level of ridiculousness and shallowness was unprecedented. I hated the tone of the book, and the content was unbelievably absurd. I just was NOT impressed with this book at all.
I think I'll stick to watching her bounce up and down on.... oh yeah... grandmother has to type this up. Better stop there. :-p (I love you, Gramma. And that last bit was just to tease you. No need to ACTUALLY put it in your review.)"
(Won't she be surprised to find out I DID? Ha.)
Here goes:
"My grandmother gave me this book, and I was excited. I am quite the fan of Asa Akira's work actually. I'm not ashamed to admit that I own a couple of her dvds, and I really enjoy them."
(As the grandmother, I must admit I didn't need to know THAT about my granddaughter, but moving on...)
"So I was thrilled at the chance to read this account of her life and have a look at the porn industry from an insider's perspective. But I was VERY disappointed. I admit, I expected some measure of superficiality from Akira -- I mean, for God's sake, she's a porn star -- but the level of ridiculousness and shallowness was unprecedented. I hated the tone of the book, and the content was unbelievably absurd. I just was NOT impressed with this book at all.
I think I'll stick to watching her bounce up and down on.... oh yeah... grandmother has to type this up. Better stop there. :-p (I love you, Gramma. And that last bit was just to tease you. No need to ACTUALLY put it in your review.)"
(Won't she be surprised to find out I DID? Ha.)
May 31, 2014
Wow, what the hell did I just read?
Well, I'll TELL YOU.
I love memoirs. They are so incredibly educational. You can read textbooks, you can go to class, you can read the news, but there is nothing more educational than someone's life story. How they lived, how they currently live...it's informative, to say the least. People, no matter how uninteresting you assume they may be, have lots to teach.
Asa Akira is not uninteresting. She is, however, a porn star. Most people cringe at the word "porn." This is normal. I've seen documentaries about what porn stars do with themselves after they leave the industry. It is mega sad. And their time within the industry? Also mega sad. But Asa Akira paints us a different picture. She is very happy with her life. I can't tell whether I hate this woman or love her. I'm still trying to decide.
Asa lives her life authentically. She doesn't care if people think her job is gross. She doesn't care if you don't like her. She is happy, she isn't hurting anyone and she just wants to live her life as genuinely as possible. That's something I truly admire. I think it's great that she can live the way she wants to and doesn't feel pigeon holed to a certain standard - I think we should all embrace that and try to live outside of others expectations. Be yourself!
On the other hand...some of her views just don't jive with my own.
I'm not a huge fan of her humor. When she is confronted with something uncomfortable, such as rape, she'll make a joke out of it. I understand that some people do this in order to deal with it, because otherwise they'll just be depressed. She jokes about eating disorders, domestic abuse and rape in this book. If this is something that really bothers you, I wouldn't suggest reading this because it comes up a lot.
Also, I'm not a fan of her outlook on domestic abuse and abortions. She goes to the clinic for her second abortion and she thinks this is like, just part of growing up? I was confused by her logic, here. She couldn't wait to be like her friends? Now, I'm 100% pro-choice. A woman should decide what to do with her body. However, I don't think aborting a fetus is something to take lightly or something that someone should just look at as "a part of life." So that was weird.
The way her husband treats her kind of scares me. I understand a lot of people are into rape fantasies and rough sex, but when I was reading about how her husband hits her so hard she ends up having a painful jaw the next day, bruises and a swollen lip...I was cringing. That's frightening.
I think her editor just sort of gave up on her, really. She kind of just rambles about certain topics and it reads very much like a diary. There's no rhyme or reason to her chapters, they're just sort of all over the place. I guess I would have enjoyed the book more if there was more organization going on, but overall I was VERY entertained by this memoir. I couldn't put it down, it was just so incredibly fascinating. Also, I now TRULY have a firm understanding of how destructive and terrible drugs are (she goes into serious detail on like, every drug under the sun in this book.)
Well, I'll TELL YOU.
I love memoirs. They are so incredibly educational. You can read textbooks, you can go to class, you can read the news, but there is nothing more educational than someone's life story. How they lived, how they currently live...it's informative, to say the least. People, no matter how uninteresting you assume they may be, have lots to teach.
Asa Akira is not uninteresting. She is, however, a porn star. Most people cringe at the word "porn." This is normal. I've seen documentaries about what porn stars do with themselves after they leave the industry. It is mega sad. And their time within the industry? Also mega sad. But Asa Akira paints us a different picture. She is very happy with her life. I can't tell whether I hate this woman or love her. I'm still trying to decide.
Asa lives her life authentically. She doesn't care if people think her job is gross. She doesn't care if you don't like her. She is happy, she isn't hurting anyone and she just wants to live her life as genuinely as possible. That's something I truly admire. I think it's great that she can live the way she wants to and doesn't feel pigeon holed to a certain standard - I think we should all embrace that and try to live outside of others expectations. Be yourself!
On the other hand...some of her views just don't jive with my own.
I'm not a huge fan of her humor. When she is confronted with something uncomfortable, such as rape, she'll make a joke out of it. I understand that some people do this in order to deal with it, because otherwise they'll just be depressed. She jokes about eating disorders, domestic abuse and rape in this book. If this is something that really bothers you, I wouldn't suggest reading this because it comes up a lot.
Also, I'm not a fan of her outlook on domestic abuse and abortions. She goes to the clinic for her second abortion and she thinks this is like, just part of growing up? I was confused by her logic, here. She couldn't wait to be like her friends? Now, I'm 100% pro-choice. A woman should decide what to do with her body. However, I don't think aborting a fetus is something to take lightly or something that someone should just look at as "a part of life." So that was weird.
The way her husband treats her kind of scares me. I understand a lot of people are into rape fantasies and rough sex, but when I was reading about how her husband hits her so hard she ends up having a painful jaw the next day, bruises and a swollen lip...I was cringing. That's frightening.
I think her editor just sort of gave up on her, really. She kind of just rambles about certain topics and it reads very much like a diary. There's no rhyme or reason to her chapters, they're just sort of all over the place. I guess I would have enjoyed the book more if there was more organization going on, but overall I was VERY entertained by this memoir. I couldn't put it down, it was just so incredibly fascinating. Also, I now TRULY have a firm understanding of how destructive and terrible drugs are (she goes into serious detail on like, every drug under the sun in this book.)
July 30, 2019
WARNING: This review covers a porn memoir by a porn artist, so my review will include crude language. You've been warned.
I am a big fan of smut, a big fan of porn, a big fan of fucking and being fucked, a big fan of erotica, a big fan of many things others might consider dirty or slutty or depraved. I just love sex. So the thought of reading Asa Akira's porn memoir was more than a little titillating.
Too bad the book wasn't as titillating as the thought.
That's not to say that it was without an ability to arouse. There were a couple of times, when Akira gets really into the reasons she loves to fuck, or when she describes her favourite porn scenes or her private sexual life, that she actually gets the blood pumping down to a reader's/listener's genitals (it was particularly nice to hear her own voice in my ears when it came to those moments. She is an excellent reader of her own book. I have to give her credit); unfortunately, those moments are in the minority.
Much of Akira's book is about the rest of her life. Now that wouldn't be a bad thing if I wanted to read her life story, but I was much more interested in her porn life than her shoplifting exploits, and drug exploits, and private school exploits as a hyperprivileged NYC teenager. That section of the book was where I began to sour on the whole Insatiable experience, actually. It was where I struggled to empathize with Akira, where I began to dislike her a little bit (which really makes me hugely sad, since most of the folks in porn I've come in contact with are pretty fantastic).
Akira's narcissism -- a basic requirement for porn work, one would imagine -- was a little too obvious to be a sexy quirk. It led down paths of disdain for others, flirted at times with uncomfortable levels of intolerance (such as her feelings about her bisexual ex ... and as a bi-male I found this difficult to listen to), and revealed a sort of nasty conservatism that made it increasingly difficult to stay on her side.
But then she'd crack out a funny little haiku, or tell a story about how a beet salad turned an anal sex scene into a fearful, seemingly bloody (it wasn't bloody) mess, and suddenly I was enjoying myself again.
Unfortunately, she wasn't able to sustain these moments, and by the end I found myself shrugging with the thought, "Is that all she's got?"
If, however, some of her peers follow her path to writing and recording their own memoirs, that will raise Insatiable in my estimation. And if it inspires other, nicer people from the porn industry to share their experiences then it will have been worth the listen, if only just to have provided a base for future judgment of the genre.
I am a big fan of smut, a big fan of porn, a big fan of fucking and being fucked, a big fan of erotica, a big fan of many things others might consider dirty or slutty or depraved. I just love sex. So the thought of reading Asa Akira's porn memoir was more than a little titillating.
Too bad the book wasn't as titillating as the thought.
That's not to say that it was without an ability to arouse. There were a couple of times, when Akira gets really into the reasons she loves to fuck, or when she describes her favourite porn scenes or her private sexual life, that she actually gets the blood pumping down to a reader's/listener's genitals (it was particularly nice to hear her own voice in my ears when it came to those moments. She is an excellent reader of her own book. I have to give her credit); unfortunately, those moments are in the minority.
Much of Akira's book is about the rest of her life. Now that wouldn't be a bad thing if I wanted to read her life story, but I was much more interested in her porn life than her shoplifting exploits, and drug exploits, and private school exploits as a hyperprivileged NYC teenager. That section of the book was where I began to sour on the whole Insatiable experience, actually. It was where I struggled to empathize with Akira, where I began to dislike her a little bit (which really makes me hugely sad, since most of the folks in porn I've come in contact with are pretty fantastic).
Akira's narcissism -- a basic requirement for porn work, one would imagine -- was a little too obvious to be a sexy quirk. It led down paths of disdain for others, flirted at times with uncomfortable levels of intolerance (such as her feelings about her bisexual ex ... and as a bi-male I found this difficult to listen to), and revealed a sort of nasty conservatism that made it increasingly difficult to stay on her side.
But then she'd crack out a funny little haiku, or tell a story about how a beet salad turned an anal sex scene into a fearful, seemingly bloody (it wasn't bloody) mess, and suddenly I was enjoying myself again.
Unfortunately, she wasn't able to sustain these moments, and by the end I found myself shrugging with the thought, "Is that all she's got?"
If, however, some of her peers follow her path to writing and recording their own memoirs, that will raise Insatiable in my estimation. And if it inspires other, nicer people from the porn industry to share their experiences then it will have been worth the listen, if only just to have provided a base for future judgment of the genre.
July 7, 2014
Any negative review of this book is bound to add to the controversy, and perhaps lots of people will find the book interesting, but it's not something I'll be spending much more time on. The book is simplistic, like it was written hastily or carelessly, and the substance is mostly raunchy stories from Akira's life, designed to titillate. It's sort of an argumentative memoir claiming that because Asa Akira naturally likes sex so much, the porn industry therefore is less evil than everyone thinks it is. I've got nothing against Akira's bravery, if that's where she's coming from; but I'm concerned that her desire for attention is the underlying reason she does what she does. In theory, if Akira overcame some of her ego and felt liberated from the personal need she has of doing all the work of maintaining her image, what would she say then about her life and her industry? In another state of mind, Akira might get in touch with an appetite for pursuing the activities a life in porn prevents one from doing. The worst case scenario would be for her to feel trapped in the industry, and to delude herself into bearing it because she identifies herself so strongly with the idea of being a porn star. Best case, I guess, would be for her to simply be a supersexual woman who loves everything about her work. I wonder if she has had long enough of a break from the sex industry in her adult life to be able to identify herself with other things--it's possible that she just doesn't know what it would be like. Either way, I can't tell who Asa Akira is from the third of the book I read, and I don't care to invest more time in finding that out.
June 21, 2014
For a book that starts out in the middle of a vivid pornographic scene, Insatiable was far more relaxed and light of a tale than would be expected.
Asa Akira, prides herself on doing what she loves, and being unashamed about her sexual freedom. She jumps around tales from her years in the adult entertainment industry, as though they are basic descriptions of going to the grocery store, or walking the dog and not taking enemas to prepare for scenes, or arguing with her husband over how many men in the scene she will actually have sex with, and which ones are just filler cast.
Aside from some of her more politically incorrect slurs and slams, there's an innocence and sweetness to Akira, even under her vulgarities, that makes you wonder just why or how she ended up where she is, but she is very clear in the fact that she's where she is, because it's where she wants to be. She's a private school educated, granddaughter of a dignitary, two-parent household having, spoiled brat, who just happens to like getting paid to have sex. She makes no apologies for it. And in that, you have to raise the feminism flag.
However, as she recounts tales of joining a polyamorous relationship because it made her feel safe, or coming down from a rather intense crack cocaine binge, or the need for the love and attention she gets when "performing", it's hard not to see that maybe she's been lying to herself a bit, and that sex is just another of her addictions. It's equally hard not to wish she'd given some more thought to how or why she is the way she is, but then I guess that would have been the cliched book we're all used to.
Some interesting themes in this book include her description of the social acceptance hierarchy where there's "normal" people, who look down on porn stars, who look down on strippers, and the rise of female directors in adult entertainment. Some moments are laugh out loud funny, even if they are equally crass, such as her random haiku's. She does touch on sad things, but never seems to stay there long, which makes me as a reader think that she hasn't fully come to terms with those just yet. At least not enough to write about them yet.
For those wanting to take a look at the life of someone vastly different from their own, this is the perfect OMG AYFKM tale.
Asa Akira, prides herself on doing what she loves, and being unashamed about her sexual freedom. She jumps around tales from her years in the adult entertainment industry, as though they are basic descriptions of going to the grocery store, or walking the dog and not taking enemas to prepare for scenes, or arguing with her husband over how many men in the scene she will actually have sex with, and which ones are just filler cast.
Aside from some of her more politically incorrect slurs and slams, there's an innocence and sweetness to Akira, even under her vulgarities, that makes you wonder just why or how she ended up where she is, but she is very clear in the fact that she's where she is, because it's where she wants to be. She's a private school educated, granddaughter of a dignitary, two-parent household having, spoiled brat, who just happens to like getting paid to have sex. She makes no apologies for it. And in that, you have to raise the feminism flag.
However, as she recounts tales of joining a polyamorous relationship because it made her feel safe, or coming down from a rather intense crack cocaine binge, or the need for the love and attention she gets when "performing", it's hard not to see that maybe she's been lying to herself a bit, and that sex is just another of her addictions. It's equally hard not to wish she'd given some more thought to how or why she is the way she is, but then I guess that would have been the cliched book we're all used to.
Some interesting themes in this book include her description of the social acceptance hierarchy where there's "normal" people, who look down on porn stars, who look down on strippers, and the rise of female directors in adult entertainment. Some moments are laugh out loud funny, even if they are equally crass, such as her random haiku's. She does touch on sad things, but never seems to stay there long, which makes me as a reader think that she hasn't fully come to terms with those just yet. At least not enough to write about them yet.
For those wanting to take a look at the life of someone vastly different from their own, this is the perfect OMG AYFKM tale.
June 14, 2014
http://nypost.com/2014/04/26/how-a-ma...
I can't tell you what compelled me to purchase and read porn star (or "anal queen", in Akira's own words) Asa Akira's "Insatiable: Porn - A Love Story". Well, it might have partly been the alcohol flowing through my veins at half past midnight in the lead up to one hell of a Sunday morning. But that's a story for another day and another place. Anyway, when I saw the beautiful cover sitting on my Kindle, I decided to dive in, each page a slow reminder of what I had gotten myself into several nights before.
1.) Who is Asa Akira?
To be honest, I had no idea before I dove into this book. I'm not into porn, nor do I have some boyfriend stuffed away in a dark office that consumes it like candy. Akira is a hardcore porn star, and an award winning one at that. You know all the stereotypes about porn stars? Yes, she fits pretty much all of them, except she's Asian (Japanese to be exact). Fake breasts, skimpy outfits, tiny waist, and very, very into sex of all types with all varieties of people.
2.) What is "Insatiable" about?
Basically, think of a memoir and throw that thought out. Akira's "memoir" is more of a retelling of a lot of events in her porn life. We don't really get to know her beyond her reactions to various scenes, various male performers, her husband (also a porn star) and their D/s relationship, and her strange relationship with a family in Florida when she was a stripper. Oh, and her adventures as an escort and sugar baby. If you were ever wondering what it was like for an older man to dote on you for a lot of money, you can find your answer here.
If you're expecting more than just 75% retellings of porn scenes, this book might not be for you, but if you're interested in the reasons why women get into porn, are empowered by porn, and why women are so into sex, you might consider it.
None of that answers WHY I read INSATIABLE. In fact, I don't think I know that myself. It was a thing that happened that I kind of regret, because it put my mind firmly in the gutter and it was very hard to leave. It's not really a memoir. Think of it more as a porn star's journal of conquests, events, and memorable scenes. It's...different.
There isn't much more to say about it than that. I liked what I read, but more so for the tales than for the substance. There is no substance here. For that, you might want to turn to retired porn star Belladonna's 20/20 special that aired a few years ago that she quickly disowned - if you can find it. Now THAT was eye opening.
I can't tell you what compelled me to purchase and read porn star (or "anal queen", in Akira's own words) Asa Akira's "Insatiable: Porn - A Love Story". Well, it might have partly been the alcohol flowing through my veins at half past midnight in the lead up to one hell of a Sunday morning. But that's a story for another day and another place. Anyway, when I saw the beautiful cover sitting on my Kindle, I decided to dive in, each page a slow reminder of what I had gotten myself into several nights before.
1.) Who is Asa Akira?
To be honest, I had no idea before I dove into this book. I'm not into porn, nor do I have some boyfriend stuffed away in a dark office that consumes it like candy. Akira is a hardcore porn star, and an award winning one at that. You know all the stereotypes about porn stars? Yes, she fits pretty much all of them, except she's Asian (Japanese to be exact). Fake breasts, skimpy outfits, tiny waist, and very, very into sex of all types with all varieties of people.
2.) What is "Insatiable" about?
Basically, think of a memoir and throw that thought out. Akira's "memoir" is more of a retelling of a lot of events in her porn life. We don't really get to know her beyond her reactions to various scenes, various male performers, her husband (also a porn star) and their D/s relationship, and her strange relationship with a family in Florida when she was a stripper. Oh, and her adventures as an escort and sugar baby. If you were ever wondering what it was like for an older man to dote on you for a lot of money, you can find your answer here.
If you're expecting more than just 75% retellings of porn scenes, this book might not be for you, but if you're interested in the reasons why women get into porn, are empowered by porn, and why women are so into sex, you might consider it.
None of that answers WHY I read INSATIABLE. In fact, I don't think I know that myself. It was a thing that happened that I kind of regret, because it put my mind firmly in the gutter and it was very hard to leave. It's not really a memoir. Think of it more as a porn star's journal of conquests, events, and memorable scenes. It's...different.
There isn't much more to say about it than that. I liked what I read, but more so for the tales than for the substance. There is no substance here. For that, you might want to turn to retired porn star Belladonna's 20/20 special that aired a few years ago that she quickly disowned - if you can find it. Now THAT was eye opening.
July 3, 2014
Asa is a delightful creature, same age as me, but so so different.
She may not be a brilliant writer or great at structuring her memoirs (heck, she's not even good at reading her own stuff out loud), but getting an insight in to her life - with all its quirks and surprises - is kinda like getting to know her.
I listened to the audiobook on a long drive, and her fragmented storytelling was actually like sitting down with the real Asa over coffee, getting to know her life through tangled, disorganised, spur-of-the-moment narratives/confessions. I loved it.
The way she's described herself and her hopes, life and love, makes me really want to know her. In person.
That she gets plummeted in the butt for a living.... that makes her even more mesmerizing. I'm a feminist. And I think Asa stands for everything equal between the sexes.
You might not have this type of experience when you read/listen to this, but whatever your opinion is on porn, Asa's book is worth a funny, enlightening portrait of a modern woman.
She may not be a brilliant writer or great at structuring her memoirs (heck, she's not even good at reading her own stuff out loud), but getting an insight in to her life - with all its quirks and surprises - is kinda like getting to know her.
I listened to the audiobook on a long drive, and her fragmented storytelling was actually like sitting down with the real Asa over coffee, getting to know her life through tangled, disorganised, spur-of-the-moment narratives/confessions. I loved it.
The way she's described herself and her hopes, life and love, makes me really want to know her. In person.
That she gets plummeted in the butt for a living.... that makes her even more mesmerizing. I'm a feminist. And I think Asa stands for everything equal between the sexes.
You might not have this type of experience when you read/listen to this, but whatever your opinion is on porn, Asa's book is worth a funny, enlightening portrait of a modern woman.
May 12, 2015
Suuuuuuuuuuuuper graphic and straight forward about who she is and what she does. I've never before heard about anyone working in the sex industry without it being a cautionary tale. I enjoyed reading her perspective on it, as I generally enjoy when a woman feels free to be the sexual being that she feels like being.
This book is NOT FOR EVERYONE!!!!
This book is NOT FOR EVERYONE!!!!
May 18, 2014
http://ensuingchapters.com/2014/05/17...
Review: Insatiable
Posted on May 17, 2014
I had high hopes for Asa Akira’s memoir. I imagine being a porn star makes for an Insatiableinteresting life, and I was hoping to learn about the person, not the persona (which is already widely available on the Internet).
Unfortunately, Akira wrote the book in character.
Consider the sex scenes. Of course sex is going to come up in a porn memoir, but I wasn’t expecting it in the form of Penthouse Letters-style prose. My take is that it’s a distraction. By focusing our gaze on the sex, Akira deflects the attention away from herself.
What I wanted from Insatiable was the side of Akira we haven’t seen yet, and she noticeably shies away from the interior reflection required of memoir. Perhaps this is a survival skill inherent among those in the sex industry: It’s easier to open up physically than emotionally.
Fair enough, I suppose.
What I can’t excuse, however, is the tone. In the adult industry, female characters are typically portrayed as hyper-sexualized, submissive and eager to please. (Think Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday” to JFK or the nature of small talk made around stripper poles.) It’s understood that these are on-screen characters, but when the actor extends this behavior beyond the camera lens, it is inauthentic at best and caricature at worst.
Akira does show her depth at times, such as while discussing the growing intersection of porn and prostitution. This is the kind of dialogue I was looking for, but even here, I don’t believe she truly mines her interior. What could have been an important conversation is ultimately reduced to an anecdote, though an interesting one to be sure.
I’m reminded of the album cover of KISS Unmasked. It is paneled in the form of a comic book in which the musicians remove their “masks” at the end. They reveal that underneath their face paint they look exactly the same. It’s a clever gag, but it’s meant to obfuscate, not uncover.
I feel the same way about Insatiable.
It’s clever and shows a lot of promise. Akira’s narrative is fast-paced, the content readable and at times laugh-out-loud funny. If you’re a fan of Asa Akira, this is an enjoyable, though not essential, read.
Review: Insatiable
Posted on May 17, 2014
I had high hopes for Asa Akira’s memoir. I imagine being a porn star makes for an Insatiableinteresting life, and I was hoping to learn about the person, not the persona (which is already widely available on the Internet).
Unfortunately, Akira wrote the book in character.
Consider the sex scenes. Of course sex is going to come up in a porn memoir, but I wasn’t expecting it in the form of Penthouse Letters-style prose. My take is that it’s a distraction. By focusing our gaze on the sex, Akira deflects the attention away from herself.
What I wanted from Insatiable was the side of Akira we haven’t seen yet, and she noticeably shies away from the interior reflection required of memoir. Perhaps this is a survival skill inherent among those in the sex industry: It’s easier to open up physically than emotionally.
Fair enough, I suppose.
What I can’t excuse, however, is the tone. In the adult industry, female characters are typically portrayed as hyper-sexualized, submissive and eager to please. (Think Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday” to JFK or the nature of small talk made around stripper poles.) It’s understood that these are on-screen characters, but when the actor extends this behavior beyond the camera lens, it is inauthentic at best and caricature at worst.
Akira does show her depth at times, such as while discussing the growing intersection of porn and prostitution. This is the kind of dialogue I was looking for, but even here, I don’t believe she truly mines her interior. What could have been an important conversation is ultimately reduced to an anecdote, though an interesting one to be sure.
I’m reminded of the album cover of KISS Unmasked. It is paneled in the form of a comic book in which the musicians remove their “masks” at the end. They reveal that underneath their face paint they look exactly the same. It’s a clever gag, but it’s meant to obfuscate, not uncover.
I feel the same way about Insatiable.
It’s clever and shows a lot of promise. Akira’s narrative is fast-paced, the content readable and at times laugh-out-loud funny. If you’re a fan of Asa Akira, this is an enjoyable, though not essential, read.
August 13, 2016
This book is not for everyone. I personally loved it. Asa really has a way with words. It's in your face. It's shocking. Sometimes it's hilarious. You feel like you are right there as her stories are happening. Honestly I felt like I needed a penicillin shot after reading it LOL. If you are the least bit curious about the industry. I recommended it.
I don't quite understand all of the bad reviews on it. This wasn't meant to be feminist literature. Don't go by the negative reviews. Give it a chance.
I don't quite understand all of the bad reviews on it. This wasn't meant to be feminist literature. Don't go by the negative reviews. Give it a chance.
March 3, 2017
I barely made it through this one with the rape and domestic violence jokes, not to mention stupid haikus read in a cutesy tone. I have never read a memoir where I was so glad to not be the author. I didn't think I was a prude but this book just grossed me out. The final straw was when Akira was reading a letter to her unborn child and described double penetration in detail. The overall tone was shallow as hell too.
November 16, 2017
Insatiable porn is an infinite bore! I picked this up thinking that maybe I would possibly gain some deep insights and thoughts, but instead I got shallow anecdote after shallow anecdote. It’s a book without substance. I was more than satiated (defn: satisfied, as one's appetite or desire, to the point of boredom) after the first cream pie.
March 9, 2015
Mediocre in every single aspect possible.
October 17, 2022
It's a totally fiction, and exaggerated in every page. But curiosity make me throughout this book.
June 26, 2016
I didn't really know what I was getting myself into when I started reading this book. I saw it in the new releases at my library and I was just curious. Once I started reading it I couldn't stop. This is in no way a work of great literature Asa Akira leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to her career in porn and even her own sex life. I can't say that I liked her, even though when I started reading it I really wanted to like her. I found myself judging her most harshly when she would talk about watching Teen mom or being grossed out by old people falling in love. I guess it's not too surprising that she's shallow and insecure. Her sexuality was both appalling and refreshing. Although there weren't any great insights into the industry it was very interesting getting to see little bit of the inner thoughts of someone who is considered one of the "sane" and "stable" ones. As a book lover I almost feel bad about giving this book four stars. I almost feel like this book was my version of watching Teen Mom, you know it's bad and you kind of hate yourself for enjoying it.
April 18, 2023
В последната година прегледах автобиографиите на няколко порнозвезди и като цяло малко от тях заслужават някакво внимание (т.е. не са написани за олигавени идиоти, гледащи порно по цял ден).
Всъщност, никога не съм бил особен фен на Аса Акира, но книжката й не е лоша, поне има някакъв стил и е малко така, литературна, дето се вика. Хайкутата й са един път :Р
В книгата има доста порно - графично описани сцени от живота и кариерата й, историята на нейните депресии и наркотици и т.н. но е написана с хумор и желание. На жената й харесва да се чука пред хората и си го е избрала за кариера. Браво на нея.
Всъщност, никога не съм бил особен фен на Аса Акира, но книжката й не е лоша, поне има някакъв стил и е малко така, литературна, дето се вика. Хайкутата й са един път :Р
В книгата има доста порно - графично описани сцени от живота и кариерата й, историята на нейните депресии и наркотици и т.н. но е написана с хумор и желание. На жената й харесва да се чука пред хората и си го е избрала за кариера. Браво на нея.
May 31, 2014
Not too long ago I was flipping through channels on the TV and came across an interesting docu-film called Aroused. It featured a select few of female 'pornstars' and gave the viewer a glimpse of the women behind the personas.
Some time afterwards I became aware that Asa Akira was writing a book about her stint in the business and was anxious to read it. As a follower on social media I know her to post some of the usual stuff (i.e. nudie pics) but also funny stories and interviews and was curious to see what she had to say.
I found this book to be a fun and fascinating read. It was chockfull of her life events and experiences not suitable for children nor some adults. I mean she is known for Anal so...
Anyway she manages to tell these stories with such ease and a touch of humor thrown in that I didn't want to put the book down. She has certainly lived an interesting life to say the least.
Some time afterwards I became aware that Asa Akira was writing a book about her stint in the business and was anxious to read it. As a follower on social media I know her to post some of the usual stuff (i.e. nudie pics) but also funny stories and interviews and was curious to see what she had to say.
I found this book to be a fun and fascinating read. It was chockfull of her life events and experiences not suitable for children nor some adults. I mean she is known for Anal so...
Anyway she manages to tell these stories with such ease and a touch of humor thrown in that I didn't want to put the book down. She has certainly lived an interesting life to say the least.
November 25, 2017
I was thinking, this might be a fun, educational read about the world of erotica. But as my friend said, shallow, shallow, shallow. But wait! I learned the difference between a gonzo and a feature film.
July 12, 2016
Well, it ends up there are a lot of issues with this book. Asa Akira contradicts herself, moves back and forth through time so much in one paragraph that the reader gets confused. I hope that for Asa's next effort she hires a ghost writer. Jenna Jameson had Neil Strauss and her memoir was great and *did* shine light on the industry. Asa intended to shine light on the industry she loves but there was nothing there for me, I didn't learn anything new about the industry that I didn't already know, and I just felt like I was reading about her ass cleaning a little too much. The first couple of times, sure, I understand -- she's won awards for her asshole -- but more than that, I felt it was repetitive and she didn't know what else to talk about. I found that I liked her less and less as the book went on. She's boring and unlikable. She's stuck up and a hypocrite. It's difficult to like a person who never seemed she was happy with what she had.
The book could have improved if she structured the book in chronological order, or at least deferred from jumping back and forth through time AND ALL SPACE in one chapter. A ghost writer, or an apt editor would have made all the difference in the book. It's like reading Tommy Lee's memoir, Tommyland, and getting frustrated because he kept talking about his dick at every chance. Proofreading would have helped, too! Gee wilikers, if Asa Akira spent time reading and rereading her memoir, she would see how often she contradicted herself, repeated herself, and how confused her narrative was. It was a hell of a ride to read this book, and it sucks I didn't like it. I wanted to like it so badly, but it was pretty fucking shitty.
Anyway, I will add more sometime later.
The book could have improved if she structured the book in chronological order, or at least deferred from jumping back and forth through time AND ALL SPACE in one chapter. A ghost writer, or an apt editor would have made all the difference in the book. It's like reading Tommy Lee's memoir, Tommyland, and getting frustrated because he kept talking about his dick at every chance. Proofreading would have helped, too! Gee wilikers, if Asa Akira spent time reading and rereading her memoir, she would see how often she contradicted herself, repeated herself, and how confused her narrative was. It was a hell of a ride to read this book, and it sucks I didn't like it. I wanted to like it so badly, but it was pretty fucking shitty.
Anyway, I will add more sometime later.
January 19, 2015
I came to this book expecting something like Memoirs of Geisha, or possibly The Girl Next Door. You know...most men think of women in porn, as either shameful sluts or princesses just waiting for the knight in shining armor. I myself, when I heard a pornstar wrote a book hoped for it to be something along the lines of "a life story of highly intelligent girl who enjoys sex and found a way to enjoy herself and make money at the same time".
I kind of got that, but... this book took away any girl next door asociations and became just a strong reality check. So I lost most of my illusions regarding porn-stars in general.
To be honest, I find the author to be a rather shallow person, and the intelligence is average mixed with strong emotional imbalance. Drugs, sex and money seem to be a common theme in the book. I don't really judge her for the life she chose, the way she lives, her work, or anything that she has done. However, if this book is truly written from the heart, I must say...Asa Akira isn't really someone I would like to know personally. I wish her luck and happiness, and I thank her for revealing her thoughts to me and making me see who she really is.
The book itself leaves a lot to be desired, it's kind of difficult to gain a sense of chronology, and the writing leaves much to be desired. It is honest at least...the truth is a difficult tool to wield. I admire her honesty. That's the best thing I can say about the book, and the author both.
I kind of got that, but... this book took away any girl next door asociations and became just a strong reality check. So I lost most of my illusions regarding porn-stars in general.
To be honest, I find the author to be a rather shallow person, and the intelligence is average mixed with strong emotional imbalance. Drugs, sex and money seem to be a common theme in the book. I don't really judge her for the life she chose, the way she lives, her work, or anything that she has done. However, if this book is truly written from the heart, I must say...Asa Akira isn't really someone I would like to know personally. I wish her luck and happiness, and I thank her for revealing her thoughts to me and making me see who she really is.
The book itself leaves a lot to be desired, it's kind of difficult to gain a sense of chronology, and the writing leaves much to be desired. It is honest at least...the truth is a difficult tool to wield. I admire her honesty. That's the best thing I can say about the book, and the author both.
January 13, 2019
This book has been on my “to read” list for a long time. Longer than I’ve had this Goodreads account. A lot of the reviews are mixed, either with extremely high praise or extremely low. And I understand that. It’s hard to determine exactly how I feel about this book, especially as someone who has never worked in the adult entertainment industry or had the desire to. I feel like a lot of the low ratings come from a personal standpoint. They couldn’t personally see themselves doing the things that Asa Akira has done, and they judge her for it. They judge her for being a pornstar and for having sex with people, for money. But those exact things are why I’m giving this book 4-stars. When I’m reading a memoir I’m not necessarily looking for things that relate to myself or my standard, boring life. I’m looking for viewpoints and insight into the way that other people live their lives. And this book does that wonderfully, laying out different aspects of the author's life and showing the reader exactly what it’s been like for her working as an escort, a dominatrix, a porn star, a stripper, and as a woman who enjoys sex and isn’t ashamed of it.
December 25, 2014
Like most memoirs written by sex workers, this suffers from a serious lack of editing. Akira babbles on about random episodes and experiences in her life. Part of it is written like a diary, only a diary the author has gotten bored with and instead just writes about random, uninteresting tidbits (e.g. I ate fries today and saw a homeless guy).
She is also kind of an asshole. She hates strippers and constantly talks about how dirty they are, but she herself has worked as a stripper. She seemingly has no capacity for introspection or looking beyond the same cultural prejudices that negatively affect her own life.
The last straw for me was when she wrote a letter to her future kid(s) and described in detail the sex acts that she met her husband through. I'm no prude, but telling your kids about how daddy's cock felt so good ramming into mommy's vagina is fucking sick. Definitely what brought this book down to a one star rating (aside from the shitty editing and seemingly asshat nature of the author herself).
She is also kind of an asshole. She hates strippers and constantly talks about how dirty they are, but she herself has worked as a stripper. She seemingly has no capacity for introspection or looking beyond the same cultural prejudices that negatively affect her own life.
The last straw for me was when she wrote a letter to her future kid(s) and described in detail the sex acts that she met her husband through. I'm no prude, but telling your kids about how daddy's cock felt so good ramming into mommy's vagina is fucking sick. Definitely what brought this book down to a one star rating (aside from the shitty editing and seemingly asshat nature of the author herself).
April 27, 2014
This is not the kind of book I'd pick up on my own, but it was given to me by a colleague, which in itself was rather awkward. In any case, though I didn't know the name Asa Akira, I held off from Google-image searching her until I was at my home computer. Girlfriend is a porn star, and a hardcore one at that. So, you may find yourself asking why I read a porn star's memoir? And my answer is, why not? I love learning about worlds I will never encounter, and this is a fine example of that. Asa is smart, savvy, and seemingly completely in control of her life and career. She's also hysterically funny and a darn good writer. The book has a lot of x-rated moments (obviously), and just as many poignant and laugh-out loud stories. It's nothing I would ordinarily recommend, though I do think this is a powerful little book.
June 23, 2014
I'm an open-minded person, and I was looking for something revealing or honestly shocking about subject matter. Asa revealed something alright, but nor was it truly compelling or ground-breaking about the said industry. I did find it pretty hilarious at times but nothing more feels intriguing. Detailed descriptions of hardcore acts is not what I would call frightening honesty. We have enough of it on tv and on the net. The author tried to tackle some really interesting issues here, but it didnt get enough development. If you want to embrace readers, just tell them what they dont know. Show yourself from the other side, If you have one.
September 11, 2014
This was a really interesting, well-written, and well-structured memoir. Asa's stories and insights are interesting in themselves, but I also found her tone really charming and funny. I loved the interesting structure of the book. It's a collage of moments and opinions—and haikus!—but it has a cohesive narrative that ties everything together.
The book is definitely more of a personal memoir than a survey of the porn industry, so it wasn't what I expected from the title. But it did teach me a lot about a profession I knew little about. As an autobiography, it seems very honest and level-headed, which I appreciated as well.
I stumbled on this book by chance but I'm glad I picked it up.
The book is definitely more of a personal memoir than a survey of the porn industry, so it wasn't what I expected from the title. But it did teach me a lot about a profession I knew little about. As an autobiography, it seems very honest and level-headed, which I appreciated as well.
I stumbled on this book by chance but I'm glad I picked it up.
December 5, 2022
Porn star Asa Akira recounts highlights of her career and personal life with adorably gritty haikus laced between chapters. I wish she had a book come out every year! She’s uncensored, human, and hilarious. She talks about her shoplifting and drug addictions without cutting out the positive moments (like scoring a thousand-dollar Chanel sweater or smoking crack to feel like she was in a Disney movie musical for a few minutes). Of course she overcame them young and doesn’t recommend them, but the same can’t be said for porn. She has truly found her place, “falling in love in little ways” on the screen, or simply exploring what pain, pleasure, humiliation, and limits mean to her and everybody else. Reading this book is like reading her mind and makes you wish she were your friend to whisper secrets or “obscene” observations to.
2nd read: Asa Akira is the face of PornHub and their fun podcast as well as her equally great memoir Dirty 30. She loves the industry as a natural exhibitionist. The book, which is one of my fav ever, starts out saying she wants to write about her job as someone w/ a normal upbringing and no mental issues. On my reread though, this isn’t the case (must’ve missed the intro note the first time). She grows up well-to-do, going to a Manhattan private school and frequent Tokyo trips (one plane ticket alone is over a grand) to connect with her extended Japanese family and more diversified education. Her allowance is $20/day from her fam, compared to the 10k/month from her sugar daddy as a teen. As often is the cause of hyper-sexuality, she was raped by her babysitter super young though can only remember him fondly. She claims to be glad to have gotten into so many drugs during school, everything from PCP to Special K, so she could get it out of her system early and appreciate sobriety to focus on her career later. She gets arrested for shoplifting, would often bring crickets with her to plant in Michelin star meals to eat for free, and her mom always catches her masturbating. Whenever she fights with a boyfriend, it borders on violent, her throwing things and destroying clothes while sobbing like a soap opera star.
I list all of this because it’s hella entertaining but also completely goes against her point. I love Asa and have since she was promoting this book in 2013 on Opie & Anthony. She’s absolutely hilarious, candid, smart, beautiful, creative, and sweet, but…clearly the farthest thing from normal. Yes, she’s leagues healthier mentally and in terms of what she puts into her body than most adults or performers in general, but it’s just so dishonest and insecure to say how normal you grew up, then immediately disprove it. I see this non-stop working with SWers and it’s so depressing: Own your weirdness or rape, that made you who you are and now you’ve turned them into tangible goods. Stop the shame for real, not just in that shallow sloganeering of “not like the other girls.”
Anyway, back to the funner stuff: She’s dabbled in every echelon of sexwork: pegging dominatrixing, high-end hooking a couple times, and she still does the occasional strip dance feature tour. A rule at the commercial dungeon was not to touch the men: just whip. The first time she does see someone’s manhood there, tazing the biker, she’s disgusted but curious. Same as when a wealthy crackhead becomes her client. When he finally gets her to try, she’s on a 3-day binge: She says the pipe smoke is almost cold, chemical, leaving you light and energized, indelibly smiling. It’s the most amazing euphoria but slips away second by second, leaving you nervously chewing your lips, full-body-gross jonesing. Normally, she just does Oxy or acid that can make you feel like you p!ssed yourself when you didn’t (IDK if it’s because I read this before I tried those things, but the same happened to me)! She’s on opiates a lot, which requires the kindest care not to overdo into nauseous—but that’s how she gets her dream job of porn: puking beside her husband by a hot dog stand while some talent scout asks her if she wants to consider it.
Though she loves the craziness of the industry, they don’t always love her because of her chronic acne: a Tony Soprano-like soft-core producer even calls her into his office to “fix that unshootable sh!t!” So she gets on Acutance, known for its draconian side effects so you have to abort if you ever get pregnant. And she does, so anorexic/bulimic/pill-headed she doesn’t realize it for three months. Though it’s gross she considers abortion something to “join the clique and get closer” to her dumb friends, I’m glad she describes it so viscerally: How they have to put sideways sticks in her to dilate for surgery, how frequently she’s bleeding all over chairs before and after, throwing up and fainting all day. It’s a great reminder to take preventive methods. (Not that she doesn’t do it again 🙄)
As careless as she was in her early20s, she has come a far way, two husbands and two children and no drugs later. Dozens of awards, business collaborations (books, candles, websites, clothes, video games) later. That’s not in the book but knowing her past makes her present more extraordinary. She used to be afraid of admitting what she does for a living to her hair-dresser, making up super elaborate lies about herself for years—until the day comes she sees her on set. Her life is one of coincidences, like when there’s millions of rumors swirling about how AIDS-infested the gay studio next door is. So Asa goes to spy—only to realize it’s her ex-fiance performing that day and he’s not just doing it for pay.
She later married a fellow porn star but they still had their jealousies: He didn’t want her to do 4+ people scenes or rim. She flips out when he finds out he doesn’t just jerk it to her porn or has lunch with female coworkers. We learn a lot about the industry. How shooting one scene can take all day with hours of hair/makeup, enemas, memorizing lines and lingerie changes, taking photo for thumbnails and social media in various states of undress, the actual act, breaks to fix makeup or get the guy hard, lighting, directing positions or location changes. We even learn how they fake squirting with a million cuts and tubes of water. Worst of all, there’s a horrible trend of adult actresses faking cancer for Go-Fund-Mes.
Bonus goodies are Asa’s funny Tweetable thoughts in a diary, great haikus, and hot IRL sex w/ her husband making her lick up real squirt and ashes from hotel carpet. Like you’d expect, you’ve never read anything like this!
2nd read: Asa Akira is the face of PornHub and their fun podcast as well as her equally great memoir Dirty 30. She loves the industry as a natural exhibitionist. The book, which is one of my fav ever, starts out saying she wants to write about her job as someone w/ a normal upbringing and no mental issues. On my reread though, this isn’t the case (must’ve missed the intro note the first time). She grows up well-to-do, going to a Manhattan private school and frequent Tokyo trips (one plane ticket alone is over a grand) to connect with her extended Japanese family and more diversified education. Her allowance is $20/day from her fam, compared to the 10k/month from her sugar daddy as a teen. As often is the cause of hyper-sexuality, she was raped by her babysitter super young though can only remember him fondly. She claims to be glad to have gotten into so many drugs during school, everything from PCP to Special K, so she could get it out of her system early and appreciate sobriety to focus on her career later. She gets arrested for shoplifting, would often bring crickets with her to plant in Michelin star meals to eat for free, and her mom always catches her masturbating. Whenever she fights with a boyfriend, it borders on violent, her throwing things and destroying clothes while sobbing like a soap opera star.
I list all of this because it’s hella entertaining but also completely goes against her point. I love Asa and have since she was promoting this book in 2013 on Opie & Anthony. She’s absolutely hilarious, candid, smart, beautiful, creative, and sweet, but…clearly the farthest thing from normal. Yes, she’s leagues healthier mentally and in terms of what she puts into her body than most adults or performers in general, but it’s just so dishonest and insecure to say how normal you grew up, then immediately disprove it. I see this non-stop working with SWers and it’s so depressing: Own your weirdness or rape, that made you who you are and now you’ve turned them into tangible goods. Stop the shame for real, not just in that shallow sloganeering of “not like the other girls.”
Anyway, back to the funner stuff: She’s dabbled in every echelon of sexwork: pegging dominatrixing, high-end hooking a couple times, and she still does the occasional strip dance feature tour. A rule at the commercial dungeon was not to touch the men: just whip. The first time she does see someone’s manhood there, tazing the biker, she’s disgusted but curious. Same as when a wealthy crackhead becomes her client. When he finally gets her to try, she’s on a 3-day binge: She says the pipe smoke is almost cold, chemical, leaving you light and energized, indelibly smiling. It’s the most amazing euphoria but slips away second by second, leaving you nervously chewing your lips, full-body-gross jonesing. Normally, she just does Oxy or acid that can make you feel like you p!ssed yourself when you didn’t (IDK if it’s because I read this before I tried those things, but the same happened to me)! She’s on opiates a lot, which requires the kindest care not to overdo into nauseous—but that’s how she gets her dream job of porn: puking beside her husband by a hot dog stand while some talent scout asks her if she wants to consider it.
Though she loves the craziness of the industry, they don’t always love her because of her chronic acne: a Tony Soprano-like soft-core producer even calls her into his office to “fix that unshootable sh!t!” So she gets on Acutance, known for its draconian side effects so you have to abort if you ever get pregnant. And she does, so anorexic/bulimic/pill-headed she doesn’t realize it for three months. Though it’s gross she considers abortion something to “join the clique and get closer” to her dumb friends, I’m glad she describes it so viscerally: How they have to put sideways sticks in her to dilate for surgery, how frequently she’s bleeding all over chairs before and after, throwing up and fainting all day. It’s a great reminder to take preventive methods. (Not that she doesn’t do it again 🙄)
As careless as she was in her early20s, she has come a far way, two husbands and two children and no drugs later. Dozens of awards, business collaborations (books, candles, websites, clothes, video games) later. That’s not in the book but knowing her past makes her present more extraordinary. She used to be afraid of admitting what she does for a living to her hair-dresser, making up super elaborate lies about herself for years—until the day comes she sees her on set. Her life is one of coincidences, like when there’s millions of rumors swirling about how AIDS-infested the gay studio next door is. So Asa goes to spy—only to realize it’s her ex-fiance performing that day and he’s not just doing it for pay.
She later married a fellow porn star but they still had their jealousies: He didn’t want her to do 4+ people scenes or rim. She flips out when he finds out he doesn’t just jerk it to her porn or has lunch with female coworkers. We learn a lot about the industry. How shooting one scene can take all day with hours of hair/makeup, enemas, memorizing lines and lingerie changes, taking photo for thumbnails and social media in various states of undress, the actual act, breaks to fix makeup or get the guy hard, lighting, directing positions or location changes. We even learn how they fake squirting with a million cuts and tubes of water. Worst of all, there’s a horrible trend of adult actresses faking cancer for Go-Fund-Mes.
Bonus goodies are Asa’s funny Tweetable thoughts in a diary, great haikus, and hot IRL sex w/ her husband making her lick up real squirt and ashes from hotel carpet. Like you’d expect, you’ve never read anything like this!
April 14, 2022
By reading this book, I hoped I'd have a look at the porn industry from an insider's perspective - Asa herself. It's actually a shallow narrative, where Asa tries to make "funny" jokes, but only ends up insulting people (women, fat people, gays, etc). Not even the hakais are "funny" (much less poetic). I'd read lots of reviews eliciting how healthy, happy, self-counscious a woman she is, and what a "rational" choice she made by entering the sex industry. Well, from what I've read (in this very book) Asa's been a victim of abuse throughout her life (she mentions the first abuser, a male babysitter), and the abuse only repeats itself in her work and relationships. I don't see it as "natural" for a 10-year-old girl, which is still a child, to "masturbate all day long, compulsorily", as Asa puts it, nor do "all kind of drugs" from her teen years on. These are clear signs she's not "choosing" anything there. She's just in a lot of pain. It's like she's created a persona (like all women working in the sex industry end up doing) who only fucks and talks about fucks. She has no life beyond porn sets, no hobbies (she even says it), no nothing. Her view on love is also disturbing, for she's "fascinated" with her husband because "he can dominate women", and one of the greatest things about him is that he treats women like "filthy whores", "slapping and chocking them until they pass out" (I don't even know if I can write these sort of things here). By the end of the book, she adds a letter to her son-to-be sharing how she met "daddy" in a porn set, while she describes every detail of the hardcore sex between them (well, there was a 3rd character in it, another man)- a letter no son should ever read. Then, when you think it can't get any worse, she puts the blame for entering the adult industry on this son-to-be. Blame or blessing, according to her? I guess I ended up reading between the lines and kind of analysing her personality, history and choice of words (what she says, the way she says it, and what she does not say). This memoir, like every memoir I've read so far by adult performers, only shows how devastating it is for someone to "work" in such a job, which I view as complete abuse.
September 3, 2014
More like 2.5 stars.
This was an odd book because I got exactly what I expected (porn anecdotes, fuck stories, stripper and escort tales, etc.), and yet, somehow it didn't completely satisfy. Part of the problem is that this isn't really technically a novel. A novel has a beginning, middle, and end. "Insatiable" is more a hodge-podge of barely-connected stories that are all over the place. Asa, of course, talks about doing porn, the people and personalities in porn, and her motivations behind doing it. We also get things like her shoplifting stint as a child, abortions, acne problems, being addicted to crack, and what it was like for her directing instead of starring. There's also haiku poems scattered about. When it's all said and done though, there's not really a main narrative to grab on to. This is Asa telling stories about herself in non-chronological order: some of it appropriate for the text, and some of it coming off like filler material. I admire her candor in being so honest, but some things (like being addicted to crack) got brushed over.
The best parts of this book actually have nothing to do with porn. It's when Asa talks about her own inadequacies with herself or other people that I was most hooked. The porn bits are hammered a little too hard...to the point where it's tiresome. Literally the only thing that made my stomach turn a little was towards the end when she's addressing her not-yet-conceived future child and talking about anal and DP and the like.
Again, you'll get pretty much what you expect here. It's not a bad book but it's not great either. Very middle of the road.
This was an odd book because I got exactly what I expected (porn anecdotes, fuck stories, stripper and escort tales, etc.), and yet, somehow it didn't completely satisfy. Part of the problem is that this isn't really technically a novel. A novel has a beginning, middle, and end. "Insatiable" is more a hodge-podge of barely-connected stories that are all over the place. Asa, of course, talks about doing porn, the people and personalities in porn, and her motivations behind doing it. We also get things like her shoplifting stint as a child, abortions, acne problems, being addicted to crack, and what it was like for her directing instead of starring. There's also haiku poems scattered about. When it's all said and done though, there's not really a main narrative to grab on to. This is Asa telling stories about herself in non-chronological order: some of it appropriate for the text, and some of it coming off like filler material. I admire her candor in being so honest, but some things (like being addicted to crack) got brushed over.
The best parts of this book actually have nothing to do with porn. It's when Asa talks about her own inadequacies with herself or other people that I was most hooked. The porn bits are hammered a little too hard...to the point where it's tiresome. Literally the only thing that made my stomach turn a little was towards the end when she's addressing her not-yet-conceived future child and talking about anal and DP and the like.
Again, you'll get pretty much what you expect here. It's not a bad book but it's not great either. Very middle of the road.
April 25, 2015
Imagine a 13-year-old girl. Add to this girl more a lifetime of entitlement, more than a hint of Antisocial personality disorder, potential (but improbable) abuse as a child, and a ton of controlled substances. Put this girl in the body of an adult woman and set her loose in California.
I don't know what I expected.
Untrue. I read Confessions of a Call Girl and it was great. She was profane, but clever and charming! Asa Akira is pretty much just profane. Truth be told, she reads sort of like a girl I used to date, who once tried to claw my eyes out because I didn't value her friendship enough.
I won't say this book was a total waste of time. The vocabulary is aroundabout Bernstein Bears level, so it only took me a few hours, and there were a few parts I giggled at. There were a few parts that made my skin crawl, too. Well, no, just the one, really, when she was talking about inserting the needle in that biker's urethra and then electrocuting him.
Hnngh. And I don't cringe easy, either.
I rolled into the book curious as to how the porn industry worked, the personalities of the people involved. I figured the telegraphed absurdity of the screen was just that, a role they were playing. People say wacky things in flagrante delicto, but the goddamn absurdities spewed by porn stars HAD to be scripted. There were real people in there! They have to have some flicker of self-consciousness, some level of awareness!
Three hundred pages later, I stand corrected. I'm sure with some people it's acting, but sometimes, you get exactly what's printed on the side of the box.
I don't know what I expected.
Untrue. I read Confessions of a Call Girl and it was great. She was profane, but clever and charming! Asa Akira is pretty much just profane. Truth be told, she reads sort of like a girl I used to date, who once tried to claw my eyes out because I didn't value her friendship enough.
I won't say this book was a total waste of time. The vocabulary is aroundabout Bernstein Bears level, so it only took me a few hours, and there were a few parts I giggled at. There were a few parts that made my skin crawl, too. Well, no, just the one, really, when she was talking about inserting the needle in that biker's urethra and then electrocuting him.
Hnngh. And I don't cringe easy, either.
I rolled into the book curious as to how the porn industry worked, the personalities of the people involved. I figured the telegraphed absurdity of the screen was just that, a role they were playing. People say wacky things in flagrante delicto, but the goddamn absurdities spewed by porn stars HAD to be scripted. There were real people in there! They have to have some flicker of self-consciousness, some level of awareness!
Three hundred pages later, I stand corrected. I'm sure with some people it's acting, but sometimes, you get exactly what's printed on the side of the box.
June 10, 2015
Un libro que sin duda no es para todo público, describiendo una escena pornográfica hardcore al iniciar el primer capítulo, pero que sin duda resultará una lectura muy amena a todo aquel aficionado a la pornografía en general y que tenga interés por conocer las vicisitudes de una de las figuras más prominentes de la industria. Quienes estén familiarizados con Asa Akira por su Twitter encontrarán aquí el mismo estilo caracterizado por un humor negro y cierta ironía hacia las cosas que le ocurren en su día a día.
Si bien habla acerca de momentos importantes de su vida como sus primeras relaciones sexuales y sus experiencias con las drogas, el resultado en general es bastante superficial y me hubiera gustado que ahondara, por ejemplo, en la relación con sus padres respecto a su decisión de hacer películas pornográficas.
De haber profundizado más en los aspectos serios de su vida tal vez le hubiese dado 4 estrellas en lugar de 3. No obstante disfruté mucho más leyendo sus memorias que con el intento de ficción de Sasha Grey y The Juliette Society.
Si bien habla acerca de momentos importantes de su vida como sus primeras relaciones sexuales y sus experiencias con las drogas, el resultado en general es bastante superficial y me hubiera gustado que ahondara, por ejemplo, en la relación con sus padres respecto a su decisión de hacer películas pornográficas.
De haber profundizado más en los aspectos serios de su vida tal vez le hubiese dado 4 estrellas en lugar de 3. No obstante disfruté mucho más leyendo sus memorias que con el intento de ficción de Sasha Grey y The Juliette Society.
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