Swingland: Between the Sheets of the Secretive, Sometimes Messy, but Always Adventurous Swinging Lifestyle

Screenwriter Stern initiates readers into the world of swinging, sharing his experiences, often in graphic detail, and instructions—should you decide to enter into “The Lifestyle”. After a series of poor performances, Stern decided he needed “sexual batting practice” and joined a Web site for those seeking casual encounters. He recounts his first experience with multiple partners, which began with a chat about countertops and ends with Stern cutting his head open on a ceiling fan. Another encounter finds Stern “the youngest [participant] by three-plus decades.” He participates in a poker game to “win” sex with a woman and gives hilarious commentary on the competition. Stern provides advice for single men about being respectful to women and impervious to rejection, and about how to create the ideal online profile. He also includes tips for e-mailing potential partners, and outlines scene lingo—including the important distinctions between an MFM and an MMF experience, or hard versus soft swaps. Only an insider could describe proper sex club footwear and detail necessary topics of discussion before an encounter, as well as Lifestyle faux pas. Stern warns that participation in the Lifestyle “takes Kevlar skin and a Chicago Cubs fan’s constitution,” but, if inclined, you will find no greater guide into its inner workings. (Oct. 1)