New erotica gives guilty pleasure
Jacquelyn Lewis
Pulse Editor
It is the dead of winter — the per
fect season to spend an afternoon
curled up with a good book. And the
term “reading for pleasure” takes on
a whole new meaning with “The Best
American Erotica 2003: 10th An
niversary Edition.”
While the 348-page volume is a
virtual treasure trove for the senses,
the content may cause readers who
aren’t familiar with the genre (like
me) to blush — the stories are color
ful and well-written.
The sections readers might label as
pure smut are so only because that’s
exactly what their authors intended
them to be. They are guilty-pleasure
selections the reader will remember
later—recalled snippets sure to elicit
secretive grins in public.
The book, edited by well-known
erotica and sexuality author Susie
Bright, contains works from new au
thors as well as old pros, including
Susanna Kaysen, the author of “Girl,
Interrupted,” and an engaging sec
tion from Chuck Palahniuk’s novel,
“Choke.” The writing ranges from
subtly titillating to full-on nasty.
From heterosexual to homosexual to
anywhere in between, “The Best
American Erotica” serves up smor
gasbord of sex — there is literally
something for everyone.
The volume’s most surprising sto
ry is Susan Volchok’s “How We Did
It,” a selection notable more for its
infusion of tenderness and vulnera
bility than its graphic scenes. Be
neath the folds of Volchok’s descrip
tive words describing a lengthy affair
lie profound, universal truths about
love. Her work is a tingling combina
tion of romance and sexiness.
Bright also included interviews
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with several prominent erotica au
thors, including their favorite leisure
activities (reading and having sex
took first place) as well as how their
families react to their work. The au
thors’ answers reveal that sex writ
ers aren’t perverts locked in closets,
but rather “normal” everyday peo
ple. After all, there is nothing strange
about enjoying sex.
Thus, we arrive at the most re
Courtesy
deeming quality of “The Best Ameri
can Erotica”: Amidst the carnival of
strange positions and echoing
moans, there’s a universal human
connection that even the most prud
ish reader must recognize.
Recommended with a sly grin,
get your own copy at bookstores
in February.
Contact the pulse editor
atjacquelynlewis@dailyemerald.com.
Scene
continued from page 5
pattern with a giant circular skylight
topping it off. The elevators are pris
tine and virtually silent, adorned
with giant mirrors.
My favorite location is the brows
ing room on the second floor — the
place where all the magazines and
newspapers are held. This is a huge
area, with high, slotted wood ceil
ings and large windows. Looking to
ward the side that faces Eugene Sta
tion, one can see giant set of stained
glass windows in the center. I was
rather impressed with the periodical
selection; the library carries more
obscure publications like “The
Onion” and “Adbusters.”
I didn’t manage to sample any
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goods from the lobby’s cafe, but I did
glance at the prices. They seemed
reasonable in comparison to other
coffee shops around town.
Perhaps due to location, the new
library’s hours are somewhat lack
ing. It closes at 8 p.m. on Monday
and Tuesday, 6 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday and 5 p.m. on
Sunday. The timing doesn’t bode
well for nocturnal folk, but when the
building is open, it makes a viable al
ternative to the Knight Library —
and it has the benefit of being away
from campus.
More information about the li
brary, including access to the cata
log, is available at its Web site at
http://www. ci. eugene .or. us/library/.
Contact the Pulse reporter
at aaronshakra@dailyemerald.com.
Ask Nat
continued from page 5
of your mind.
Dear Nat: Do you think drop
ping out of college and looking
for a job with my high school de
gree is a good choice?
—Wondering
Dear Wondering: Fabulous!
Go for it! I’ll do you a favor and
answer the next question you’ll
be asking me in advance: Yes, I
would like fries with that!
Contact the columnist at
natashachilingerian@dailyemerald.
com. Her views do not necessarily
represent those of the Emerald.
Send questions
to advice@dailyemerald.com.
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