Adults
Sexual Intelligence
by Marty Klein
A must read - this book really is helpful to reframe the way we create scripts for ourselves on how we need to function sexually.
Come As You Are
by Emily Nagowski
This top sexual health book is such a needed resource for everyone to understand arousal and desire based on research and brain science.
Braving The Wilderness
by Brene Brown
Brene’s books are essential in learning about human emotion and the way we interact with one another and where we act from. This is another great one, especially if you are struggling with learning how to live into who you are while also being empathetic to others.
Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life
by Glennon Doyle
This book doesn't have much to do with sex, but it has everything to do with relating. Kara is all about books that normalize our emotions, life happenings, and relationships. This book does that with Glennon talking so openly about her life and many will find it relatable and inspiring
Lost and Found: Unexpected Revelations About Food and Money
by Geneen Roth
When we hurt, we sometimes look to fill a void in unhealthy ways with food and money. Many of us unconsciously operate in the world in this manner. Being numb to our feelings also tends to hurt our relationships. Having awareness about our pain and resulting behaviors can consciously work on them and our relationships.
Couples
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
by John M. Gottman & Nan Silver
This book is really good if you are struggling in your partnership. Gottman provides insight into behaviors and attitudes that can be harmful to a relationship and helps navigate rebuilding your relationship with exercises and checklists. www.gottman.com
Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
by Esther Perel
Great for couples and for individuals to see truths of deep rooted feelings many of us have, but feel shame for. Through stories, Esther helps normalize our sometimes stressful or embarrassing sexual feelings. It gives us a good look into how communication is key in relationships, but also how a bit of mystery keeps our sexual lives healthy and fun. www.estherperel.com
Parents
Sex + Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence
by Kate Ott
For parents who want to use a faith lens while talking to their children about sex, but is also great for non-religious parents. Kate gives great examples of possible situations and offers suggestions on how to respond to scenarios without judgment or shame. This is a very approachable, sex positive book. It makes conversing about sex with your children as natural and healthy vs a scary topic. www.kateott.org
Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape
by Peggy Orenstein
You need to buy this book whether you have daughters or sons. Filled with depth and insight, it shows us that we need to do better in understanding the landscape girls are navigating in high school in college and opens the door to dialogue.
For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Teens About Sexuality, Values, and Health
by Al Vernacchio
Highlights the importance of talking with our youth about sex and why as adults we are afraid of doing so. His words are easy, helpful, informative, and calming. This book encourages creating a philosophy around sex for parents and families and what to teach, something Kara teaches in her workshops. It also reframes sexuality for youth to not simply think of it as sex, but as being a whole person and how we live our lives together.
Answer - Sex Ed, Honestly
Sex education from youth and professionals advancing equity and impact nationally from Rutgers University, also publishers of teen directed Sex, Etc.
Advocates for Youth
Sex education and statistics for youth, resources on rights and justice
I Wanna Know
Sexual health for teens and young adults from the American Sexual Health Association
Common Sense Media
Unbiased information on social media, apps, and navigating the web with responsibility
Children
It Feels Good to be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity (4 - 8 years old)
by Theresa Thorn
This was a beautiful book to understand transgender, cisgender, nonbinary, and gender fluid. It was beautifully illustrated and had simple language to help our young ones and old ones learn the spectrum of gender.
Changing You!: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality (6 - 8 years old)
by Dr. Gail Saltz
This is a children’s book about puberty and is good to read together, open questions and start conversations with. It includes illustrations of how bodies look and how they change over time.
The Brain is Kind of a Big Deal (6 - 8 years old)
by Nick Seluk
The largest sex organ in the body is the brain, so why not learn about how it is needed for our whole body?! We are all about holistic education around sexuality and this is a part of it.
Youth & Teens
What’s Going On Down There? A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up
by Karen Gravelle
This book covers physical and emotional changes that come with puberty, covers how bodies of girls change too, sexual harassment, orientation and identity (briefly), how to make a baby, sexual intercourse, masturbation, STDs, and then common worries and questions. I suggest reading ahead of time and talking with your son in conjunction with him reading the book.
The Sexual Trauma Workbook for Teen Girls: A Guide to Recovery from Sexual Assault and Abuse (Instant Help Books for Teens)
by Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, MS, LPC & Sheela Raja, PhD
This looks at healing holistically and would be great to use with a therapist. This would be a good resource to have if you are aware your child has suffered trauma.
Sex, Etc.
Sex, Etc. is on a mission to improve teen sexual health across the country by teens for teens. Each year, 5 million people visit this site to get honest and accurate sexual health information on sex, STDs, birth control, sexual identity and more without judgment or an agenda. Sex, Etc. is published by Answer - Sex Ed, Honestly
LGBTQIA+
Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric
In her groundbreaking National Geographic documentary, Katie Couric explores what the words “gender” and “transgender” meanings in a way everyone can understand.
Transgender Law Center
Working to change law, policy and attitudes so all people can live safely, authentically and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.
Transyouth Family Allies
Empowering families and children by partnering with educators, service providers and communities to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
"An ALLY'S Guide to Terminology"
The words we use to refer to the LGBT community and issues can have a powerful impact on our conversations. The right words can open people’s hearts and minds, while the wrong ones can cause distance and confusion. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) created this PDF to assist in making the terminology less intimidating.
It’s Pronounced Metrosexual
A full glossary of terms and definitions on gender identity and orientation from social justice author, author and comedian Sam Killermann.
Queer Grace
An online encyclopedia for LGBTQ+ and Christian life coordinated and edited by Lutheran pastor, Emmy R. Kegler
Keshet
A national organization with resources, events, and gatherings for a world in which all LGBTQ Jews and families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity
Religion
Pure
by Linda Kay Klein
If you grew up with purity culture then you need to spend time with this book. It highlights so well the troubles many have endured with the shame that some religious cultures bestow upon us. Some of these messages inhibit our ability to have the thriving connections and sex lives we hope for.
Shameless: A Sexual Reformation
by Nadia Bolz Webber
Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality
by Rob Bell
Good Christian Sex
by Bromleigh McClenghan
Religious Institute
With a network of 12,000 religious leaders and people of faith, the Religious Institute is a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual, gender, and reproductive health, education, and justice in faith communities and society.
Body
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
For those who have experienced trauma or know anyone else who has, this book helps us understand the way our mind and body are intimately connected. Trauma leaves lasting impacts on our hearts and souls and this book helps us understand why. When we don't work through our trauma it can stay with us, which then affects how we enter into relationships and how we are in sexual partnerships - this provides insight into how to work through trauma.
International Pelvic Pain Society
Established to educate, support and raise public awareness on pelvic pain.
6 Condom Myths You Never Knew Weren’t Real
Bedsider
This birth control support network includes information on birth control methods to provide guidance and encourage women to take an active role in their reproductive health.
My Sex Doctor
This downloadable app provides information about puberty, relationships, and sex directed to teens and young adults.