Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure

Morse (coauthor, Hot Sex), host of the Sex with Emily podcast, urges readers to reexamine preconceived notions of pleasure in her savvy debut. First, she walks readers through assessing their Sex IQ, a way of “comprehending where you are sexually at any given time” that’s determined by five pillars: embodiment, health, collaboration, self-knowledge, and self-acceptance. Moving on to partnered sex, Morse argues that “communication is lubrication” and explains how to best have candid conversations about sex (spoiler: never while in bed together). She also details orgasms and stresses they need not be the ultimate goal; instead, pleasure and sexual exploration should be the aim. Morse’s prose reads like a conversation with an older sister (if she had a doctorate in human sexuality)—her style is fun, informative, and straightforward. This serves as an excellent resource on sexual pleasure for singletons and couples alike, and even the most sexually knowledgeable may find a helpful tip or two. (June)