What Books or Movies Taught You About Romance?

So happy for the long weekend, and so happy to spend some time reading for fun! I have a collection of books I should read for work, books I've promised people I'll read, but then I also have some old favorites I might flip back to. These three books are all "adult" books, but I read them all in the long, lazy summers of high school, and together, these three had a triple punch impact on my sex and relationship life as an adult.

One of my favorite books of all time, that had a profound impact on my career (and my sex life!) is Fear of Flying, by Erica Jong. It's about Isadora, a twentysomething woman in an uninspired marriage in the 1970's. Cue the sexual fantasies and dawning of the women's movement. I read this book when I was far too young-13 or 14-but it was the reason why I went to the college I did (the author went there) and also the reason why I think I became a writer.

Next up on the good (and sexy!) book list is The Group, by Mary McCarthy. It's about a group of women after graduation from college, making their way in their adult lives in the 1950's. Cue the sexual fantasies and the dawning of the women's movement (sound familiar?) It's like a mid-century Sex and the City, full of revelations about romance and group bonding moments.

Third, Wifey, by Judy Blume. Yep, the Judy Blume from adolescence has quite an ouevre of adult literature at all. And this book, about a bored housewife in a less-than-ideal marriage is funny and sexy and revealing, all at the same time.

What these three books have in common-besides some great, sexy scenes-are strong female characters who are able to verbalize their desires and frustrations about love and life. I loved that the characters were so honest-and all of these books together, made me realize that you never have all the answers.

What about you? Any books or movies that changed the way you saw sex or romance?

PS-need a right-now read? Check out Moon Shell Beach, by Nancy Thayer, REDBOOK's red hot read from last summer.

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