but, what this data does not provide, however, are answers to specific and practical questions like “how exactly can I do what is not monogamy?” If you’re curious about turning your relationship into a polyamorous relationship, there are great resources to educate you on that. Below are eight books on polyamory and open relationships that are likely to address the specific questions you have, as well as questions you never even thought to ask.
scroll down to see 8 polyamory books to add to your reading list
1. a happy life in an open relationship, by susan wenzel, $13
if you have always considered yourself monogamous, but your partner has proposed the idea of opening the relationship, this book is for you. Through a combination of personal and clinical experience, relationship and sex therapist Susan Wenzel (whose husband proposed the idea of opening up after a year of marriage) offers an accessible guide to opening up your relationship.
You are reading: Best books on polyamory
In addition to basic definitions of important terms, you’ll find worksheets within the book to help you unpack difficult emotions and feelings, such as jealousy and fear of abandonment, that can affect your ability to live a healthy life, happy and happy. consensual non-monogamous relationship. There is also no lack of personal anecdotes or advice to maintain a satisfactory relationship with your main partner (if you have one).
2. the ethical bitch, by janet w. hardy and dossie easton, $17
Of all the books on polyamory, this should top the list of picks everyone should read. In addition to challenging the notion that “slut” is “evil,” The Ethical Slut presents guidelines on creating a culture of consent, which are two things everyone needs to be aware of.
It’s also a great choice for people looking to transition from their monogamous relationship to an open relationship. “It addresses the emotions that can come from opening a previously monogamous relationship,” says sex educator sarah sloane. “and gives you advice on how to deal with the new energy of relationships.”
3. building open relationships, by liz powell, psyd, $25
See Also: L Ron Hubbard Books – Galaxy Press
one of the most interactive books on polyamory, swinging, and beyond, lgbtq+ therapist liz powell, psyd, offers communication guidelines, exercises, and worksheets on topics such as jealousy, romantic and sexual desire, shame hookers, surfing social media while in non-monogamous relationships, long-distance non-monogamous relationships, and more. “It’s very comprehensive,” says Sloane.
My recommendation is to purchase the eBook version so you can easily type your answers directly into the worksheets or download them as fillable pdfs.
4. the book of polyamorous breakups, by kathy labriola, $20
Here, counselor and nurse kathy labriola draws on her personal experiences to offer advice on how to deal with breakups in polyamorous relationships, because if you’re not careful, some couples can sneak off, only to come back and do it all over again. leave. It’s worth mentioning that most of this book is anecdotal, which means it may not be the ideal selection for those who love to lean on scientific research.
5. love is not color blind, by kevin patterson, $14
psa: Ethical non-monogamy isn’t just for white people, though the media and even your local polyamorous community might have you believe otherwise. Patterson divides Love’s Not Colorblind into two sections, “For White People” and “For People of Color,” to present a framework for understanding, identifying, and confronting racism within polyamorous communities. “It’s important for all white polyamorous people to read,” Sloane says.
6. sex at dawn, christopher ryan and cacilda jetha, $13
See Also: How to Read the Brian Freeman Books in Order – Books Reading Order
christian ryan asks and then answers general questions like “what is our true and innate sexual nature?” draws on evolutionary research and biology to dispel the standard narrative that monogamy is natural. in fact, he argues that humans are innately non-monogamous.
7. opening: a guide to creating & keeping relationships open, by tristan taormino, $14
sex educator tristan taormino created this guide that starts with a story about non-monogamy, then explores the potential benefits of non-monogamy, explains different types of non-monogamy (including: solo polyamory, swingers, and polyfidelity) . , he tackles questions like “how do I get over the jealousy of my partner’s other partners?” “How do I talk to my kids about this?” and “how the hell am I going to make time for another lover?”
“what I love about taormino’s book is that it’s about how to ethically achieve sexual non-monogamy as opposed to ethically emotional non-monogamy,” says sloane.
8. rewriting the rules, by meg-john barker, $22
If you find the self-help section of the bookstore cringe-worthy, this book by prolific LGBTQ+ writer Meg-John Barker is for you. barker offers new ways to understand commitment and relationships, breakups, gender, sex and more by asking over and over again “what do you want?” and then help you work on the answer.
See Also: Closure of Fifth Avenue Books in Hillcrest part of changing industry – The San Diego Union-Tribune