t.’s Reading Nook

[Image from ellenforney.com]

This past Fall I started working at a library.  I hang out all day processing and shelving books, which leads to a LOT checked out items and maybe a late fine or two on my record.  At any given time I could have 20+ books checked out, and that is quite frankly a bit overwhelming at times, but I have the chance to run across some real gems!

Recently I had a hold on Ellen Forney‘s Lust: Kinky Online Personal Ads From Seattle’s The Stranger, but after some investigations came to realize our copy was lost in the system, never to be seen again.  Real drag, but instead of waiting around for a new copy to be ordered I went ahead and bought my own.  I was not disappointed I did so.

After reading Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me, Forney’s graphic memoir about her years long tango with bi-polar disorder and treatment, I came to really enjoy her art and style.  So when I sat down to read Lust, which took all of one afternoon, I was treated to damn good illustrations that showcase her talents in a way I had not been exposed to.  Imaginative and succinct visual interpretations of a wide range of personal ads left nothing but a smile on my face when I put it down.

Dan Savage and Corianton Hale said of their search for the right artist for the job, “We wanted someone that could make someone into whips and chains and hoods look like someone you could take home to meet your parents.  We wanted Ellen Forney.”  And she certainly delivered!

What I had not expected to read, but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless, were the five interviews Forney conducted with certain kinky users about their ads and adventures before, during, and after posting them.  We get a glimpse into the minds and sexualities of a diverse range of kinksters from The Stranger‘s Lust Lab personal ad section.  My personal favorite was RRR, 22 “Kundalini Kat” (pg. 15) because she speaks so openly and honestly about her sexual transformations and what drew her to Lust Lab/forum communities in the first place.  All of the interviews also offer up each person’s individual interpretation and relationship with kink in a way that is very eloquent, candid, and just…normal.

The illustrations are hot and entertaining, the interviews are honest and informative, and the kinks are fun and twisted!  I would confidently say Lust is the right read for lovers of comics books, standard non-fiction, and all types of sexual proclivities.  Are you game?