It has been said that you should never judge a book by its cover, but as soon as I saw this book I fell in love with it. On the cover lounges a mesmerizing woman whose eyes beckon to you through a transparent hot pink vinyl cover with the word “NERVE” etched across it. Then I opened up the book, began to read and it got even better. Go ahead, break that old rule. This book is every bit as good as its cover promises.
For those of you who are Nerve.com neophytes, here’s a little bit of background for you. Nerve.com, established in 1997, is an online blog site dedicated to publishing the best in edgy, amusing, enlightening and just plain fun writing and photography on the ever popular topic of sex. Over the years the site has expanded and now includes personals, sexual horoscopes, topic forums and advice.
Apparently the founders identified a niche in dire need of a new representation, because the site has become one of the most well-known and popular of its kind. Aside from online publication, Nerve.com has also forayed into the realm of print publication prior to this release. Nerve.com (and affiliates under the name) have published books on a variety of topics and in a variety of formats ranging from collections of essays and photographs to down to earth and witty sex advice to erotica. One of my personal favourites is a book that covers every aspect of sexual experience and that is aptly titled The Big Bang (highly recommended for anyone interested in reading a book that touches on pretty much everything).
The book is organized chronologically, with a chapter for each year since Nerve’s inception. The written sections cover every imaginable topic related to sexuality, from the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal to the difference between sensualists and sexualists to the experience of being a virgin at the age of twenty-eight (proving that not having sex can be just as interesting and complicated a sexual journey as having it) to how to have a sex life as a Siamese twin. It also includes excerpts from advice columns, famous quotes, interviews with writers and some of the most interesting photography (erotic and otherwise) that I have seen in a long while.
True to form, Nerve.com’s newest book isn’t your typical ten year retrospective. The book features some of the best and brightest writing by a variety of authors along with stunning pictorials that make it difficult to decide which is more appealing. A perfect anniversary, belated Valentine’s Day or birthday gift for the not-so-hallmark sweetheart, this book will not only fit the colour scheme of romance but the enjoyment it will bring will last well past the special day. Possibly even longer than the average relationship.