Resources
Books, Sites, and Groups We Like
Below is a list of books, websites, and local-ish groups that our members recommend. Whether you're just starting in kink or are a seasoned pro, there's likely something here you'd appreciate. This page is under construction, so check back for more resources often!
Please note: a listing on this page does not indicate that TAKS endorses the material or the authors - just that some of us found it helpful, interesting, and/or insightful.
Books
Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns by Philip Miller and Molly Devon
This book, originally published in 1995, is a book about sadomasochism and its practices. It's both a practical and a theoretical guide that has a little something for anyone interested in kinky play.
Playing Well with Others by Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams
We agree with this Goodreads writeup: "Playing Well With Others is the first book that explains kink *culture* -- the munches, parties, leather bars, conferences, workshops, fetish nights, exploratoriums and all the other gatherings of kinksters that turn BDSM and leather from a bedroom predilection to a lifestyle and a community."
A collection of writings by a member of the mental health field that takes the stance that such play can be a beneficial and healthy expression of sexuality
Slavecraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude, Principles, Skills and Tools by Guy Baldwin, MS
A deep philosophical dive into what it means to be a consensual slave - which, believe us, has something to teach every one of us.
The New Topping Book by Janet W Hardy and Dossie Easton
We love this book for going into the ethical and emotional responsibilities of topping!
The New Bottoming Book by Dossie Easton and Janet W Hardy
And we love this book for doing much the same as the New Topping Book, but for bottoms!
Master's Manual by Jack Rinella
Primarily about the gay leather scene, this easy-to-read book gives sage advice on power exchange play.
The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities by Dossie Easton
Probably the most well-known book about consensual non-monogamy out there, and just plain fun to read.
Radical Ecstasy: SM Journeys to Transcendence by Dossie Easton and Janet W Hardy
A lot of authors have written about kink's relationship to spiritual practices. This book, we find, is one of the most approachable on the subject by some very well-known experts in the field.
Online Resources
PDX Local(ish) Groups
Got a resource you'd like to see on this page? Contact us at admin@letstalkkinkpdx.com and let us know what it is! We'll review the resource and add if it makes sense to share here.