I’ve had a lot of amazing customer interactions during my almost-4 years at Babeland. One of my most memorable was a middle-aged man who came in to the store one day and, after much hesitation, told me that his wife of 30 years said that she wanted him to spank her and that he was to go out and buy the implement. Not only did he have no idea what he should use but he felt hesitant about the spanking in general. What was happening to his wife? Was she really weird or was this normal? What if he didn’t like spanking her?

We talked through all of his questions and in the end he left, reassured to buy a wooden hairbrush - an excellent choice. I wish that at the time I’d had Rachel Kramer Bussel’s new book, Spanked, to give him. Showing him a whole book of hot spanking erotica would have done wonders to set his mind at ease and to give him some helpful hints and ideas.

I adore topic-specific erotica. My favorite book ever is Lesbian Cowboy Erotica - doesn’t get much more specific than that. However, Spanked is a delight. The stories are hot and fiesty with all kinds of matches in terms of who is spanking whom. I’m currently about halfway through and it is easily one of the best collections of erotica I’ve ever read (lesbian cowboys aside).

Who would this book be great for? Anyone who loves to get spanked, anyone who loves to spank, anyone who likes watching other people get spanked, etc. And of course, anyone who is new to the whole spanking thing, like my friend above. He could have also gone to her companion blog to the book - also called Spanked.
Rachel has also done something totally creative and made a trailer for the book. I’ve never seen a book trailer before so of course I was intrigued and it’s awesome and hot. Also, stay tuned into the blog tour for stories, interviews and exerpts from the book. Tomorrow it’s Urban Gypsy’s turn.
If you want to meet Rachel in person (which I highly recommend - she’s awesome), she’ll be reading at the upcoming TES spanking event:

August 16, 8 pm (doors at 7:30)
Paddles, 250 W 26th Street, Basement (between 7th and 8th Avenues.,side door next to the parking lot)
$4 for members; $8 for non-members
Click here for directions

We have some terrific events lined up for August!

New York:

How To Please Your Man, Sunday August 10th. This workshop is always a hit. From hand jobs to blow jobs to positions, Babeland sex educators will tell you everything you need to know to please the man in your life.

How To Please Your Woman, Sunday August 24th. I’m especially excited about this workshop because I’m co-teaching it! We’re going to talk about myths around women’s pleasure, communiation, anatomy, breast play, clit play, g-spotting, penetration and anal play. Phew! I hope we can get to everything.

Brooklyn:

Eco Alternatives, Thursday August 21. This FREE workshop will go over the latest in eco-friendly toys including wood, glass, stainless steel and rechargeable sex toys.

Sexy Moms Series: Making Time for Sex, Tuesday August 26. This is something that a lot of people (not just parents) have trouble with. I might go to this just to learn tips for the future!

Seattle:

Capitol Hill Art Walk, Tuesday August 12. This event makes me wish I lived in Seattle. Noelle Walker, the featured artist, sounds like she has made some amazing work focusing on transgender issues. I’d love to see it in person!

How to Please Your Man, Sunday August 24. Seattle offers up their own workshop a few weeks after New York. It looks like August is the month to learn how to please your man!

For more information on these and all of our other events, check out our events page.

A federal appeals court turned down the Texas Attorney General’s attempt to reinstate the ban on sex toys. I knew when the law was overturned that there would be a fight but I’m hoping that the fight will end here. Turns out, the right to privacy is important!

A federal appeals court turned down Attorney General Greg Abbott’s attempt to reinstate a ban on the sale and marketing of sex toys Friday, upholding its previous ruling that the prohibition violated Texans’ right to privacy.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in February had struck down the Texas law, which made it illegal to sell or promote obscene devices.

The attorney general sought a rehearing on the matter, decided by a panel of judges. The state argued that the full court should have a chance to rule, but the court turned down the request and said any appeal would have to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.