Embraceable: Empowering Facts and True Stories About Women's Sexuality

by August McLaughlin

A provocative blend of memoir, anthology and inspiration, Embraceable is a celebration of women's sexual empowerment. Learn how August McLaughlin, creator and host of Girl Boner®, found her way out of the sexual repression to which too many girls and women are prone. She then weaves research and inspiring facts around stories contributed by women who've cultivated sexual empowerment in their own lives--on topics ranging from asexuality, kink and burlesque dancing to religion, "slut"-shaming and surviving sexual assault. Learn what girls do (and don't) learn in sex ed, the truth behind widespread damaging messages, the role body image plays in embracing our sexual selves and more.

Includes stories

Velda Brotherton  Trish Causey  Kitt Crescendo  Elle the Author

Mona Darling  Jean Franzblau  Lana Fox   Erica Garza  Lea Grover

Lauren Jankowski  M  Nicole LaBonde  Emily Lindin  Jann Robbins

Kendra Tanner  Rachel Thompson  Dani Longman  Kelly Wilson

Please This book contains sexually explicit material and brief descriptions of sexual violence.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2015

About the author

August McLaughlin is a journalist, author and host/producer of Girl Boner Radio, which was named “one of the best sex podcasts you should be listening to” by Romper and one of the top feminist podcasts by Bellesa.

Her articles and expertise have been featured in Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, O: The Oprah Magazine, DailyOM, Forbes, Shape and more. August has presented for TEDx Women and the Centers for Disease Control headquarters, ghostwritten hundreds of works for gynecologists and physicians. She’s also a trauma-informed certified sex educator with related expertise in eating disorders and ADHD.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been impressed by this author's rise on social media and her work in a niche many would shy away from--female sexuality--so I was curious to check out her book. So glad I did. Comprised of essays by women in a wide variety of situations, the central theme remains the same: rather than being shamed for their sexuality, women should embrace it.

I admire the women who chose to tell their stories, which span from sexual assault to 'slut' shaming to religious suppression of sexuality. There are also stories about asexuality, 'kinky' desires, spousal sex addiction, and sex after menopause. Not to be missed is an excellent opening by McLaughlin about her own struggles with life-threatening anorexia, excessive exercise, and poor sexual self-image during her modeling days. While her time spent in Paris should have been exhilarating and adventurous, it was instead filled with pain and despair. Her experiences are well worth a book of their own.

Definitely an eye-opening, intriguing, and well-developed collection.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Embraceable after interviewing the author August McLaughlin for my radio show Eros Evolution. She had talked about disordered eating and overcoming anorexia on the show.

EmbraceablePublished in 2015, this book is part-memoir and part-anthology where McLaughlin shares her own journey to sexual empowerment, from Minnesota girl to international model turned anorexia survivor to sexuality writer and host of Girl Boner®.

McLaughlin opened the book by first defining the difference between sex and sexuality, then highlighting some of the most common myths that keep countless women from embracing their sexuality, guiding with relevant research findings and some historical perspective. McLaughlin’s story titled “The Orgasm That Changed My Life” written with honesty, humor and vulnerability is the first of 13 stories.

The book shares stories of other women aged 20s to 80s who are living proof that sexual embracement is possible and worthy. These stories touch on Asexuality, Sexual Assault, Motherhood, Slut Shaming, Body Image, Religion, Kink, Sex Toys, Porn and more. Sensitively written and carefully curated to portray a spectrum of different sexual expressions and personalities, I was touched by these brave accounts and feel this book should be regarded as a cultural anthology – a snapshot of the culture of our times.

McLaughlin encourages us to see our sexuality is our own – worth nurturing, celebrating and exploring as we see fit throughout our life and is never, ever shame-worthy. I would recommend this book to women who want to heal their relationship with sexuality and find courage in the voices of other women. You are embraceable. We all are.