If you followed the roller coaster of my many status updates, you're probably just as confused as I am about such a high final rating. (Definitely check out my status updates and favorite quotes for more details about particular ideas.)

I don't agree with or even like a lot of things in this book. But I didn't read this book. I *studied* it. I *grappled* with it. I haven't done this much mental work on a book since college, maybe not even then, and I'm exhausted.

The conversations about sexuality, desire, repression, culture, self-esteem, self-respect, love, relationships, spirituality--each one of those words/ideas were explored in so many directions. Often in mind-blowing ways. Like Curott's Book of Shadows, this book exposes layers of hypocrisy and repression and BS we've internalized so much we don't even see them. It opened up ideas and ways of being I've never considered but would absolutely improve my life.

I have a zillion notes and things to think hard about for a long, long time. So while many things annoyed or angered or frustrated me, I feel changed as a result of this book, in a positive way. ( )

I resisted buying this one for a long time. But I'm glad I did. I read it in January, before Valentine's day in preparation for an Imbolc ritual that was going to be about the deities of love. This book was one that I just didn't want to put down. It is a story, but it is an informative story. You are learning while you are enjoying yourself and that is the best kind of book, IMHO. There are a few spells in the back of the book, but don't let that stop you, I think the publisher probably insisted. ;) ( )