Erotic Intelligence: Igniting Hot Healthy Sex While in Recovery from Sex Addiction by Alexandra Katehakis
Do not be put off by the words “ignite” and “hot” in the title of this book, as it is not what it may seem at first glance. Rather than a “how-to” sex guide, this is a book about sexuality viewed through the lens of sex as a respectful, healthy and safe attachment through connection and integrity. Alexandra Katehakis believes that sexuality while in recovery need not be without passion.
Katehakis is considered a heavy hitter in the world of sex addiction treatment, and rightly so. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of the Center for Healthy Sex in Los Angeles, Senior Fellow at The Meadows, and the 2012 Patrick Carnes Award recipient.
Erotic Intelligence is an inspirational and practical guide for those in recovery, as well as those simply learning to have healthy intimate relationships. The description and how-to points of getting to healthy intimacy should be the basic guideline for any person in a relationship. This is a great book for recovering addicts, partners of addicts and for those who just want a reality check into what healthy sexuality is.
It’s Not Fair: Learning to Love the Life You Didn’t Choose by Melanie Dale
The author is a self-described “minivan mama and total weirdo who stinks at small talk.” She talks about her laugh as a “combination honk-snort, and it’s so bad that people have moved away from me in the movie theater.” This sort of humor brings humanity and light to the difficulties of our lives. Dale talks about the things that are hard to talk about, breaking the ice for all of us thinking the same things, so we can just jump right in.
Melanie Dale is loved by her readers because of her plain-talking honesty. She handles heartbreaking and difficult topics with humor and grace. It’s Not Fair is a gift to anyone who has, is, or knows someone going through a serious struggle. This is a book about dealing with grief, but it is written as though Dale is speaking to a dear friend. The message is pertinent to anyone going through something painful, yet manages to be inspiring and uplifting without being preachy or judgmental.
Dale talks frankly about what it is like to realize your dream cannot be achieved, or that your realized dream is either not what you really wanted or not what you thought it would be. This is a book to curl up with for comfort that will make you both laugh and cry.
Written by Nan Long MA, CSAT