cover image Hot, Sexy, and Safer

Hot, Sexy, and Safer

Suzi Landolphi. Perigee Books, $12 (160pp) ISBN 978-0-399-51882-9

Landolphi, who visits colleges and high schools with her stand-up safe-sex education act, tells us here that the best sex life combines physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual health. She stresses that young people shouldn't hop in the sack with just anyone but wait, instead, to build a relationship. Then they can concentrate on the preliminaries of pleasure (e.g., masturbating) before deciding whether they are ready for intercourse-with condoms, of course. The result: a more honest and trusting relationship with a reduced risk for contracting nasty sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS. Some readers, however, may question Landolphi's preoccupation with avoiding germs to the point that she recommends women insist that their partners practice coitus interruptus, even when they are using condoms, in an effort to provide added HIV and STDs protection. Others may find it inappropriate that she describes her own sexual past. Some conservative readers may be offended by Landolphi's brash street language. Still, her direct tone and relaxed attitude will also win converts. (Sept.)