Insatiable

In this no-holds-barred memoir—which at times take on the form of letters, haiku, and diary entries—Akira shares her personal experiences working as a celebrated porn actress. Hopping around chronologically, Akira covers her years growing up in 1990s New York City, where she had an early sexual awakening, formative experiences with drugs, and several run-ins with the law. Telling of her working life in L.A. and the disciplined regimen of pornographic actors, she explores the intricacies of the industry, including the differences between “gonzo” and “feature” porn. A chapter titled “Sh*t Pornstars Say” explores the common banter of pornography, and a section called “Food Porn” chronicles her obsession with eating. Also covered in great detail are the preparations that go into shooting each scene. While some of her stories seem pointless, she gives intriguing insight into the industry, particularly the bits about porn stars’ private and public lives and her own attempt to maintain a meaningful romantic relationship. (May)