As a former English teacher and librarian, book talks were a staple in our founder’s classroom and library. She posted those book talks and reviews on her personal page, educatorbarnes.com. Those reviews are now on this website, and our founder will continue adding new book reviews. They are categorized on the Book Talks and Reviews page.
Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown is a book all adults should read. I also believe this book would be good for high school students to read and process with their parents and caregivers.
In this book, Brown states, “Asexuality is an orientation that regards a partner as nonessential to sex, and sex as nonessential to a satisfying relationship…There is room to let go of the myth that we are less valuable, less productive, less deserving, less human without normative sexuality” (p. 171).
To truly understand asexuality and people on the ace (asexual) spectrum, Brown forces the reader to deal with compulsory sexuality in society which is the idea that sex should be part of everyone’s life, and it is inevitable. Additionally, they force the reader to interrogate multiple structures & systems: patriarchy, white supremacy, cisheteronormativity, Christianity, capitalism, porn industry to name a few. While interrogating these systems the reader must grapple with how those systems and structures others those on the ace spectrum and how allosexuals (people who experience sexual attraction) fall into these systems and structures and the impact on them.
Additionally, Brown provides the reader with a timeline tracking the evolution of thought regarding allosexuals and asexuals. Though they state the timeline is not a comprehensive timeline, it provides a solid foundation for readers to understand how society has evolved and how it should continue to do so.
This book, published in 2022, is worth reading. Also, the audiobook is great to listen to while reading along.
Rating 5/5
| Age | 11th grade and up |
Blazing Brilliance 