Carnal Knowledge: Sex Education You Didn't Get in School

by Zoë Ligon, Elizabeth Renstrom

Get progressive, positive, and constructive sex tips and ideas from one of today's most popular sex educators.

When it comes to sex, there's practically no question that Zoë Ligon hasn't heard and researched. Her Instagram and YouTube videos, as well as product reviews, are extremely popular for their up-front approach. Now, she brings her wealth of experience and open-minded attitude to a sex-positive guidebook that's honest, inclusive, and right on time. Lusciously illustrated, this book takes readers through every aspect of sexuality--from body basics and physiology to maintaining healthy relationships. It highlights the usefulness of sex toys in aiding solo and partnered exploration and explains why there should really be no stigma around using these practical tools. It also includes advice on setting boundaries, being respectful of other people's gender identities, and thinking outside the orgasm. Elizabeth Renstrom's dreamy, colorful photographs drive home Ligon's philosophy that there's no one "right" way to have sex. With its focus on intimacy, body positivity, and self-care, Carnal Knowledge can lead you to enjoy sex with security and confidence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Feminism

128 pages, Hardcover

Published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Patricia Fancher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, accessible and pleasure positive. I personally would have enjoyed more detail/research in many of the section, because each topic is slightly more than an abstract. But it's a fun overview that I'll likely teach sections of in the future.

[Andy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My initial impression was “meh,” but then I remembered that I’m a 40-year-old male with a decent amount of knowledge. Attempting to view “Carnal Knowledge” through the eyes of someone younger and less experienced, however, brought to mind my own sexual education (lack thereof if I’m considering it academically). In that context, this book is a wonderful book that accomplishes several things. One, it educates in an honest way that is neither childish nor sterile/clinical. Two, it doesn’t shame or judge.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfectly titled. It's written how Zoë speaks, in that the language is fun and accessible. Carnal Knowledge: Sex Education You Didn't Get in School tackles big and specific topics in approachable and comfortable ways. It's designed wonderfully and is an excellent tool if you don't know how to think or talk about sexuality; or if you want to learn how to discuss it more clearly.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s funny because this book was actually written by someone I went to school with, so I can definitely confirm this is not the sex education that our public school provided us growing up! This is super well written and very informative. Full of wonderful information we *should* be teaching about sex and as a bonus, this great info is accompanied by some beautiful art.

[Gabriella]

I think this is best for teens, young adults, and people who are new to being "sexually active" (that rather vague/broad/often-used term.) Although...not everyone who engages in solo or partnered sexual activity would be aware of all of the info in this book. Definitely not. So I guess I would recommend it to anyone didn't get detailed varied sex education (which is, unfortunately, a lot of people. Maybe most people.) But for me personally, I didn't learn anything new and found this it slow to get through this book for that reason, and that makes it hard for me to review. It's not a bad book at all and I don't want to leave a negative review because I do think it's a great useful book, and it's presented in a fresh sort of new way - but for me, having worked in this field, the information was not new to me. If anything, parts of it were reaffirming. I got a copy having not seen it's contents but being a fan of Zoe Ligon and her shop. I will add that the photos are fun and funky, not typical of what you think of when you think "sex ed books" - more artsy, tongue in cheek, at times almost abstract, but never overtly graphic in my opinion. While it's fair to label this a sex ed book, it feels almost flippant to do so in a way as this goes beyond what we often think of when we think of sex ed - info on anatomy, simplified physical acts, maaaaybe positions, but all pretty much reduced to the physical. This goes beyond just that (and elaborates on anatomy in ways you probably didn't learn at school!) and touches on toys, self care, health, consent, relationships...all of the things that sexual education *should* include! Probably a good read to leaf through with a partner, as it would likely spark good conversations.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent 101 on how to have a healthy, good sexual practice that covers, as the title says, the stuff you never learned in school.

Cleverly, in order to be able to ship and sell this book in multiple states, especially red ones, all of the pictures are symbolic, rather than clinically accurate, with a lot of pictures of fruit to illustrate different concepts and body parts.

[Cloewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would have been cool to read this when I was in high school instead of what we got which was like passing around an m&m and some old woman asking us if we would eat it after everyone’s hands had touched it and that’s like what having sex is like ha ha ha

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork, written in a friendly and judgment free tone, just a whole lot of fun overall. I didn’t expect to learn anything new, but I did which totally rules. I wish I had read this ten years ago

[Chelsea Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect book by a perfect person

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing I haven't read in many other place, but a beautiful book!

[Fluffy Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very factual and informative.

[Zoe Ligon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this and my bff took the pix FIVE STARS!!! Hehe