Sex & the Married Girl

Because the""dynamics of modern marriage are so different from our mothers' marriages,"" women's magazine vet Norwood suggests it's high time for""a new, bespoke approach to advice."" The happily married author--who grew up believing that marriage was a""painful waste of time"" because it would lead, inevitably, to divorce--portrays here a contemporary institution filled with challenges, but comprising two equals in a""flexible environment from which to grow and learn about themselves, about love and the world."" Geared to the 25-35 year-old set, and exploring every aspect of wedlock from finding a financial advisor to infidelity, the book skillfully balances girly magazine sauciness (tips on giving and receiving oral sex, and the pros and cons of various sexual positions) and brainy insightfulness (effects of feminism on our generation). Norwood maintains a fresh, high-spirited tone throughout, as she discusses divvying up household chores, making time for yourself and embracing intimacy (""During orgasm, your metabolism increases momentarily and helps you burn calories and shift sudden fat.... and temporarily improves your complexion). The title is a nod to Helen Gurley Brown's seminal 1962 Sex and the Single Girl, as well as to marketing--there's a lot in here that has nothing to do with the bedroom. Filled with surprisingly candid real-life interviews, men's opinions, statistics, and strategies for success, this marriage primer is a perfect gift for the newly married girl or bride-to-be.