The people have spoken. We asked our Sensuali Sexperts for their favourite erotic books, and they delivered. From queer classics to boundary-pushing erotic novels, these recommendations celebrate sensuality, kink, character, and imagination.
Whether you are looking for erotic romance novels that make your heart throb, literary smut that makes your brain buzz, or some of the best books for learning about BDSM, this curated list covers the full spectrum of erotic storytelling.
If you know and love good smut, you are in the right place. Our Sensuali providers are serious sex experts, which makes them the best people to ask for erotic book recommendations. This list is not about watered-down mainstream erotica. This is literature for the enlightened pervert. Lo and behold: Sensuali’s ultimate guide to must-read erotic books.
Macho Sluts by Patrick Claifia
A foundational erotic book exploring BDSM, leather and lesbian sexuality.
Selected by erotic photographer, Jean Cleverley
‘Macho Sluts’ is a collection of short erotic stories written by Leatherdyke legend and gender terrorist, Patrick Califia. The erotic stories cover sadomasochist desires at their most sensual and at their most taboo. My favourite scene sees a submissive wanting to earn her owners commitment by being dominated and passed around like a toy by eight leatherdyke dom/mes, a never ending gang domination. A historic peek into a time where SM lesbians were forming a revolutionary subculture of perverts in San Fransisco. If you want to know what the leather wearing dykes get up to really, I recommend reading this book and never looking back.
If you are searching for the best books for learning about BDSM through a queer, historical lens, this is an essential read.
Venus in Furs by Sacher-Masoch
A classic erotic book exploring power, obsession and submission.
Selected by erotic painter, Armando Cabba
‘Venus in Furs’ by Sacher-Masoch is the erotic novel which comes to mind. I know it’s quite tame in comparison to other great smut out there, but this was the first time I was exposed to literature leaning into the erotic realm outside of an academic context. Reading this erotic book was the first time I immersed myself in a narrative completely outside the dynamics I was used to in other novels. Despite the S&M dynamic between both characters being something I wouldn’t gravitate towards normally, the story had me short of breath and filled with an alluring anxiety and curiosity that kept me turning each page.
This erotic book was recommended to me by a crush of mine which added this layer of lust to the whole story. We hadn’t been together yet and I found myself switching out of my usual relationship dynamics to adapt to them. Severin has this burning infatuation and wants to do anything to be close to Wanada so he completely submits to her. This idea to move outside of the vanilla courting we see in mainstream media to something more intense got me going. Specifically the idea of embracing these desires and making them known to someone who can harness them in a way that they’ll torture through pleasure. Expressing your carnal feelings openly to have them not only acknowledged, but played with is a major turn on.
Sensuali Sufferings by Anoushka Lee
A queer, kinky erotic romance novel with domination and sensory play.
Selected by sensual intimacy coach, The Queer Sensualist
I actually published some of my own erotica a couple of years ago on Berlinable called ‘Sensual Sufferings’ under the pen name Anoushka Lee. It is a queer and kinky romance that incorporates sensual domination, and sensory deprivation! I loved writing it because it got me to connect and express my sensual kinks through these adorable characters.
P.S. I also have a really awesome smut writer friend, Tabitha Rayne who inspired me! One of my fave erotic books of hers is ‘Drenched’. Her style of writing really paints a tantalising picture for your imagination to fill in. I also love Ana Ornelas aka: Pimenta Cítrica’s work, especially her erotic poetry.
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Zami by Audre Lorde
A powerful lesbian biomythography filled with sensuality and self-discovery.
Selected by sexual collective, Self-Pleasure Club
The first erotic book that comes to mind is ‘Zami’ by Audre Lorde. She depicts her life as a young adult discovering the world, sexuality and queerness. It’s hot, sensual and powerful (and by Audre Lorde, so what else do you need, hehe?) It had the same effect on me as when I read ‘Just Kids’ by Patti Smith, but make it queer! If you’re not already fantasising about a life full of hot queer sex and friend’s romance in a crappy NY flat, then I think this erotic romance novel will change your mind.
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous – Jilly Cooper
I grew up on reading Jilly Cooper novels pouring over the pages of thick, expansive books paving the way for many of my sexual fantasies and introducing me to a world of erotica I didn’t know existed. I grew up in the countryside and with many of Cooper’s erotic novels taking place against a backdrop of rolling fields, her stories allowed me to escape into a dream land where sex and desire was steamy, cheeky, and full of sex in the great outdoors. This was one of my favourites and, tho slightly dated, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous is an erotic book I will revisit time and again for it’s kinky stable stories and unexpected twist of love at the end.
Sunstone by Stjepan Šejić
One of the best books for learning about BDSM through story-driven visual art.
Selected by latex model, Princess Latex Rubber Doll:
My pick would actually be a graphic novel series called ‘Sunstone‘. The series is amazing. It’s a goofy romantic love story flavoured with amazing BDSM and latex scenes. I’ve read the series several times and the story lines are amazingly in depth. There’s a lot of feeling in there as well as pure passion for latex and BDSM and the lifestyle that comes with it. The fact that it’s a lesbian-led series is amazing as well. I would recommend this erotic book to anyone.
Readers wanting to understand kink dynamics through warmth and character development will find this one of the best books for learning about BDSM without feeling overwhelmed.
In Between the Sheets by Ian McEwan
A literary collection where eroticism meets unease and psychological tension.
Editors’ choice, Iso:
I was actually given this selection of short stories by my mother when I was at university. Along with a very similar set of short stories, ‘First Love Last Rites’, they were the first ever publications by Ian McEwan. Whilst these shorts might not be outright described as erotic stories, to me they were intensely sensual and equally disturbing. Actually many kinks are covered in the stories such as dollification and bondage, however there’s not much graphic detailing. It’s a lot more tentative and somehow all the more sinister- all the more erotic because of it. Set in various British backdrops, these stories feel like one long hypnotic idyllic summer.
Years later when I read ‘Delta of Venus’ by Anais Nin, I was reminded of ‘In Between The Sheets’. DOV is my more obvious honourable mention of an erotic book. Like many others I’m sure, Anais Nin was the first author I actually had to stop reading in public because it felt so feverishly uninhibited. I was stood in an airport arrivals queue, and I remember blushing bright red and snapping the book shut. Those stories had me on heat for weeks!
Iso
Iso is a writer and filmmaker based in East London. She is passionate about all things erotic and leads a sexy, shame-free life in hope that she can inspire others to do the same. Originally from a Northern seaside town, she is naturally drawn to the best things in life: candyfloss, trashy karaoke bars and heart-shaped sunglasses.
