Naked Reader Book Club Discussion: He's On Top (May 24, 8-10 PM EST)

Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
He's On Top
Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel

As a companion piece to the already wonderful She's On Top, this fascinating book is no sidekick, but a full fledged erotica adventure all its own. Edited by acclaimed author and journalist Rachel Kramer Bussel, this collection of male dominant erotica will bring you into a world filled with bossy hunks that demand and enforce their partners to perform in the most scintillating ways, understanding that "dominance is about exulting power that is freely yielded." With 17 stories to fulfill your fantasies, contributors such as Amanda Earl, Mackenzie Cross, Thomas S. Roche, and Mike Kimera cover a full range of the male dominant brand of sexuality and sadism, "from spanking and bondage to public sex and power exchange," these men know how to control their partners "with a glance, a tickling whip, or a measured smack on the bottom."

**************

At the last book club discussion, we talked about Rachel Kramer Bussel's She's On Top. Tonight we're talking about He's On Top, the delicious collection about male domination and female submission. The male dominant/female submissive dynamic has been criticized as anti-feminist. What do you think? Is this a theme that turns you on or freaks you out? If you're a woman, do you feel conflicted over enjoying submissive female fiction, or do you embrace it as a part of a healthy fantasy life? Is there a way to reconcile feminism and submission? Is male domination/female submission just HOT fantasy and should be accepted as such?

As always, everyone is invited to join the discussion, whether you've read the anthology or not! Come join the chat and share your opinions on female submission, male domination, sexual fantasy, roleplay and anything else that might come up! Welcome!

05/24/2011
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Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Ooh, I haven't read the book but I've read a few reviews and I'm looking forward to this discussion.
05/24/2011
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Just finished my review! Can't wait to discuss!
05/24/2011
Contributor: Dusk Dusk
Haven't read this either but it looks like something I'd find fantastic! I'll try and drop in for the discussion unless we're eating dinner by then.
05/24/2011
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I may have made it on time
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Hi and welcome to the Naked Reader Book Club!! I'm really looking forward to discussing He's On Top! So... who has read the book and wants to kick off the discussion?
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Ok, I've just managed to finish reading He's on Top, and still a little turned on. The outline of my upcoming review - probably tomorrow as I have a day off - is pretty much set now. So, I'm here, and ready for this discussion.
05/24/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I have not read the book
05/24/2011
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I'm not quite done - I swear I couldn't be more behind with stuff if I tried . I'm about 2/3 of the way through though.
05/24/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Hello everyone! I'm looking forward to this evening. Even though I didn't read the book, it sounds really interesting.

Laurel will not be able to make it this evening because she has an award ceremony for her daughter to attend. So I am taking her place and giving away the wonderful prizes. LOL!
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
Ok, I've just managed to finish reading He's on Top, and still a little turned on. The outline of my upcoming review - probably tomorrow as I have a day off - is pretty much set now. So, I'm here, and ready for this discussion.
Well, yay!! So, what stories got you turned on? And what did you think of the collection overall? Give us an advance preview of your review!
05/24/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
Ok, I've just managed to finish reading He's on Top, and still a little turned on. The outline of my upcoming review - probably tomorrow as I have a day off - is pretty much set now. So, I'm here, and ready for this discussion.
Hmmmm, looking forward to reading your review. Sounds like a very good book!
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
Hello everyone! I'm looking forward to this evening. Even though I didn't read the book, it sounds really interesting.

Laurel will not be able to make it this evening because she has an award ceremony for her daughter to attend. So I ... more
Thanks Liz for stepping in for Laurel! I know we're all awaiting those lovely prizes!!
05/24/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
Ok, I've just managed to finish reading He's on Top, and still a little turned on. The outline of my upcoming review - probably tomorrow as I have a day off - is pretty much set now. So, I'm here, and ready for this discussion.
What was your favorite story in the book?
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Quote:
Originally posted by Kristina Wright
Well, yay!! So, what stories got you turned on? And what did you think of the collection overall? Give us an advance preview of your review!
I think the book is on the softer side when it comes to BDSM and it present a gentle and caring side to domination. even with mentions of nipple clamps, paddles, whips and floggers, you are never left with the impression that the girls are getting a beating. It's measured and calculated.

(Will go on next with my favorite story)
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I think the book is on the softer side when it comes to BDSM and it present a gentle and caring side to domination. even with mentions of nipple clamps, paddles, whips and floggers, you are never left with the impression that the girls are getting a ... more
Interesting perspective-- I agree that the BDSM is presented in a way that feels caring, even nurturing. Do you like that tone, or would you prefer your BDSM more hardcore? Anyone else have an opinion?
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
What was your favorite story in the book?
I had two stories that stood out from the rest, one is "The Sun is an Ordinary Star" by Shanna Germain, and the other is the very last story "Schoolgirl and Angel" by Thomas S. Roche.

The first one particularly moved me because it was about a wife who had gone through cancer and were taking back their sexual life. It's a story that would have blended beautifully in the book Passion I read lately, except for the focus on the nipple clamps.

And for the schoolgirl one, the situation itself was a huge turn on, a woman pleasured on display and fucked in public.
05/24/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
This book does seem to have some very good reviews. Both on here and on Amazon.
05/24/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I had two stories that stood out from the rest, one is "The Sun is an Ordinary Star" by Shanna Germain, and the other is the very last story "Schoolgirl and Angel" by Thomas S. Roche.

The first one particularly moved me ... more
Oh man, now I know I have to get this book.
05/24/2011
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I had two stories that stood out from the rest, one is "The Sun is an Ordinary Star" by Shanna Germain, and the other is the very last story "Schoolgirl and Angel" by Thomas S. Roche.

The first one particularly moved me ... more
I liked "The Sun..." - it was really good and well written, but not erotic, for me. Touching, though, and sweet.

I haven't read "Schoolgirl" yet, but the situation does sound like a turn on.
05/24/2011
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
I read it and my favorite was The Sun is An Ordinary Star. I was surprised at how sweet each of these stories was
05/24/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Hello. I didn't read the book (didn't find out about the reader's club in time ), but 'd like to know, what did people think of the writing styles and editing? (Nothing like poor grammar and obvious typos to take one out of the story.)
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
I liked "The Sun..." - it was really good and well written, but not erotic, for me. Touching, though, and sweet.

I haven't read "Schoolgirl" yet, but the situation does sound like a turn on.
I gave a very large outline, but it's well done and has more twist to the story than that. I do not like to give too many details or spoilers.
05/24/2011
Contributor: bzzingbee bzzingbee
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I had two stories that stood out from the rest, one is "The Sun is an Ordinary Star" by Shanna Germain, and the other is the very last story "Schoolgirl and Angel" by Thomas S. Roche.

The first one particularly moved me ... more
I agree completely, though I also loved confession
05/24/2011
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I think my favorites so far are "Confession" and "Boardroom Etiquette"
05/24/2011
Contributor: Kristina Wright Kristina Wright
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I had two stories that stood out from the rest, one is "The Sun is an Ordinary Star" by Shanna Germain, and the other is the very last story "Schoolgirl and Angel" by Thomas S. Roche.

The first one particularly moved me ... more
Shanna Germain is one of my all time favorite authors because she does such an incredible job blending sexuality and emotion into very realistic scenarios. There's a reason I keep buying her stories for my anthologies! And Thomas-- he is probably my all-time favorite male writer because he taps into my own secret fantasies. Yummy...
05/24/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
Hello. I didn't read the book (didn't find out about the reader's club in time ), but 'd like to know, what did people think of the writing styles and editing? (Nothing like poor grammar and obvious typos to take one out of the story.)
Welcome Petite! Is this your first time joining us?

I can assure you that every book I've read from Cleis Press, and there are quite a few, has been extremely well edited, and the grammar is flawless.
05/24/2011
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
I think my favorites so far are "Confession" and "Boardroom Etiquette"
Do tell! What are they about?
05/24/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Kynky Kytty
I gave a very large outline, but it's well done and has more twist to the story than that. I do not like to give too many details or spoilers.
I hate giving spoilers too. There have been a few times where I did tho, because the content was such that people might want to skip that story.
05/24/2011
Contributor: Dusk Dusk
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
Do tell! What are they about?
I want to know, too!

Glad I could make it after foodz
05/24/2011