This educational book was not written for me. I'm about as straight as Ellen. One the other hand, I have a relatively academically sound mind, and figured I could read this book for those for whom it was written: Straight Girls.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the use of the label straight, because many people feel that if you're dating/sleeping with/fucking chicks, you're not exactly straight. However, the author does explain this in her intro to The Straight Girl's Guide To Sleeping With Chicks, that she's anti label, but it would be too long of a title to go into the "women who like women and/or sleep with men and women and ____" which does make sense. Although I didn't really like her use of "normal" equaling sex with men, and sex with women being seen as outside of normal.

For the most part, her advice is good. I was impressed with her chapter on safer sex. Very few people who write about female on female sex decide to cover the latex (or saran wrap as the case may be) angle, even though those vaginas are certainly susceptible to a whole plethora of beasties down there. Props to her for covering such an important issue, and for really doing it well! I also LOVED her discussion of "what is sex," as many of her thoughts echoed mine. She summarizes that it is sex if you think it is sex, whether that's penetration, oral stimulation, making out, or getting cozy with the spin cycle on your washing machine. I think that's a great way of looking at it, and I agree whole-heartedly.

The chapters that get down and dirty with the details are equally as well written. I wouldn't ever reference this book for a paper in class, but for a random straight girl looking to get in on some cunt action, this is definitely a very informative guide. It covers how important knowing your own body is before jumping in bed with a hot woman (or anyone, for that matter). She covered fingering, finger fucking, oral sex, anal sex, and toys, toys, toys, all with awesome pictures of plastic dolls demonstrating. A little blasphemous, yes. Hilarious, without a doubt!

I disliked her constant use of the word "tits." I know it does it for some people - it does not do it for me. It makes me cringe. I really wished she had used breasts, or boobs, or as my friend calls mine "bodacious ta-tas" instead. Although I guess other people might have problems with those terms, or her use of the word "cunt" which I myself really like. It just turned me off from a lot of the sections.

Conversely, her suggestions for what to do to someone you have tied up were incredibly hot. Granted, I'm usually the one getting my wrists secured above my head, but I have to say, the way she went about it made me eager to jump my partner and get out the ropes the next time we're together.

I also was a little surprised at how much she pushes alcohol as part of getting it on with the girls. I mean, yes, after a few drinks, I'll make out with hordes of people (although I sometimes do that sober...). However, I don't think anyone should really suggest getting drunk in order to have sex with a woman. It is my opinion that if you "have" to drink in order to do it, you shouldn't be doing it - I've heard that used as an excuse far too many times ("I was drunk, it's not my fault I fucked your partner/got in a car crash/didn't show up/etc"). While I can see relaxing being important, a hot bath, meditation, or dancing to 80's music in your underwear can provide the same means to an end. Getting drunk to hook up with a woman sounds like a bad plan. You may do things you regret, or you may have a great time, and not remember any of it (I'm not even going to touch the topic of getting sick in the middle of sex). The push for alcohol just left me with an icky feeling.

From a sex-positive queer feminist (that's me!) point of view, the book was hit or miss. Some things were outstanding, and some made me grind my teeth. For a straight girl who hasn't been with another woman before, it's an awesome guide. I'll average these two perspectives and give this book four stars.