Hump: True Tales of Sex After Kids

Journalist Ford's debut, a collection of essays about how sexuality changes after children are added to the marital equation, is a flaccid affair. Despite the abundance of steamy vernacular, the author's tepid and detached delivery—and fondness for third-party reportage—make her come across as removed and impassive. Ford is a clunky stylist; her choice to refer to couples in her bawdy anecdotes as “baby Nate's mom” and “Lucas' young dad” stunt much of the book's comedic—and carnal—potential. Moments that should have left readers hooting and blushing—such as an explosively flatulent infant in bed with a couple engaged in vigorous lovemaking—fail to deliver. The chapters “Pleasure Party” and “Kinderotics” do entertain in their descriptions of women-only crowds attempting to reclaim or augment their sexual prowess through erotic dancing and myriad sex toys. Ford is capable of movingly depicting the pure doggedness of lust after childbirth and child-rearing and inspires with stories of rekindled passion; when she goes for laughs, however, her book falls flat. (July)