This guide is a perfect brain de-scrambler. It helps us to recognise and acknowledge what society gaslights us into feeling and encourages us instead to ask ourselves: how do I actually feel? Like, really though.

In general, the book was punchy and concise, assigning one or two pages to a topic of conversation, but if a specific topic needed more space, it got it. We had a whole chapter on consent, many pages on sex work and also a balanced focus on asexuality and aromanticism throughout. These topics were also weaved into the guide as a whole, along with ongoing discussions on intersectionality, systemic racism and feminism.

This guide is open about being critical of capitalism and consumerism as it pertains to our cultural understanding of 'normal sex'. Our author makes it clear that rigidity and ignorance have no place in the discussion around sexuality, wherever that may originate.

The discussions of inherent 'normality' and privilege in sex were particularly fascinating, as well as the conversations around the morality and ethics of sex which quite frankly blew. my. mind. I loved the sheer amount of experts and activists referenced for every topic explored, and that so many marginalised voices were included in the research and result of this guide.

I believe this to be a safe and positive guide to the modern idea of sexuality, with a specific focus on inclusivity and an empowering message of awareness and acceptance. Also, f*ck Freud.

The book I wish I had of had around a little earlier.

This book is insanely informative. It’s interesting, beautifully illustrated and covers SO many topics I wish I would have been taught about as a YA.

I’m in my mid 20’s and didn’t know many of the facts included; it’s truly eye opening.

Not only that it covers topics such as; consent, stigma against disabled folk and Lgbt+ terminology origins -which as a gay disabled person myself was highly cool to read.

The illustrations for the graphic novel are stunning, and if you look closely at some (there’s a lurking pennywise in one) there’s some wild spots.

This is one I’ll probably buy a hard copy of for friends. I received a copy via netgalley, but this will make a pretty awesome gift.

Once again this awesome author and illustrator pair have hit a home run, looove these graphic novels.

Having read Barker's previous book, Queer, which is written in the same style, I was delighted to find Sexuality to be as comprehensive, inclusive, and fabulous. In today's society, we are all aware of the huge influence that the media around us has on every individual action, motive, thought and feeling we have. This easy to understand guide breaks down all the possible boundaries and influences upon our sexualities - even down to how the media configures the definition of the word!
Surrounded by critics who believe the the diversity of sexualities today is another imagined construction of the snowflake generation, this guide is a really useful tool to help unpick those arguments and to explain why things change and what those changes mean. This book is really clever in that sense - it is inclusive in that it discusses a huge range of sexualities and identities throughout, but it also encompasses a huge ranges of audiences. Whilst it is true that the book addresses people of all ages, races, genders, sexualities, abilities etc. I observed that the book crucially offers an educational introduction to the differing politics, meanings, discussions around sex. For those who (and I can think of a few in my life) would regret this and continue sharing their ignorant and harmful viewpoints from the tree-tops, this account - this essential guide - is SO informed that it provides pure and true arguments to shut down those cases in the most polite, informed, sensible way. As such, it doesn't just give the audiences the chance to be seen, or to ponder on their own sexuality, or to even feel represented as a minority: it provides an outlet to those frustrations of discrimination and a true guide on how to tackle those arguments in our own worlds.

I was given access to the eARC of this graphic novel thanks to the authors, Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele, Icon Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sexuality: A Graphic Guide was an easy and educative read and sat in the book number 2 spot for my 2021 Reading Challenge. Barker, and illustrator Scheele, have created what could be considered an introductory text on all things human sexuality, but with the fun and visually appealing of graphic art illustrations. The illustrations are quirky and play off the idea that sex and sexuality is often an unsettling topic, reminiscent of a ‘house of horrors’ and difficult to navigate. But Barker is essentially offering the reader assurance that the mystery and confusion surrounding sexuality can be solved, while Scheele illustrates a crew of characters plus dog, like the Mystery Inc gang from Scooby Doo, to keep us company for the journey.

There are a lot of deep concepts and layers to work through in this book, as the reader is taken on a journey through definitions of sexuality, definitions of identity, of gender, consent, the psychology of sexuality, shame, social constructs of sexuality, the physical act of sex, desire, attraction, and relationships, just to name a few. I read and re-read many sections, as some of the concepts challenged some previously understood beliefs about sexuality that I held. I spoke about it with my husband and friends.

I think the limitation of the novel is that it deals with so many complex concepts that some were only briefly touched on. And sometimes with the added illustrations, there is a lot going on on a page! But on the flip side, that’s the beauty of this as an introductory text and reference guide; the references to key thought leaders, medical professionals, social theorists and psychologists, paired with the vivid illustrations introducing these authors and theorists, allows the reader to use this as a stepping stone to dive in deeper to particular areas of interest.

I love a book that gets me thinking, challenges me, and even better - changes me. I’m still thinking about some of the concepts that were new to me, and those that changed some of my previous understanding about sexuality, even days after finishing it. 4 stars. I’ll be buying this for my bookshelf when it’s released in June 2021.

As with Queer: A Graphic Guide and Gender: A Graphic Guide, Sexuality: A Graphic Guide is a very good, comprehensive overview of sexuality: the history of how we view and have viewed sex, how we define sexual identity, how we define sex, desires, erotic relationships, how sex works, consent, the future of sex, and thinking sex, or how sex connects to everything around us and how by thinking more widely and openly about it we can transform other aspects of our lives too.

This book really made me understand how much we still have inherently problematic ideas around sex as a society that extend beyond problems with consent, and how we've developed those - in a similar vein to how we've developed bad and restrictive concepts around gender. I learnt a lot in this book and I think it's invaluable to anyone. I also appreciate how clearly a wide variety of authors, theorists and academics are quoted and cited in this book, providing a great jumping off point for future reading.

A few interesting things I learnt:
- The way disabled people are desexualised is inherently tied to a history of eugenicists not wanting them to reproduce.
- The French revolution informed the victorian attitude to sex (because sexual liberation == revolution).
- Some very interesting considerations around the pathologising of “different” sexual behaviours, and encroachment of psychiatry into the realm of justice. I particularly enjoyed the perspective that the only valid questioning of sexual transgressions is whether they are consensual or not, which is a question of justice over sexuality or desire.
- The notions of mediated intimacy (how we "should" experience intimacy according to society etc.).
- How societal expectations around sex and sexuality feed into lack of proper consent.
- The difference between wanting sex and consenting to sex (e.g. sex workers, asexual people may consent to sex but not "want" it in the expected way, but that doesn't invalidate their consent).
- And I loved the couple of pages about restorative and transformative justice (yay!).

Also I didn't mention this in my prior reviews of Queer: A Graphic Guide and Gender: A Graphic Guide but the illustrations are wonderful, especially of the different theorists/authors/academics. Putting a face to the quotes is nice and I love the little ghost illustrations in this book as well.

Sex. It’s a biological act, yet everyone is so reticent to talk about it.

Sometimes it feels like there is so much information out there, but finding it can be confusing and scary, so this little book compiles everything you need to know in one accessible graphic novel.

There is nothing here that isn’t explored. This is perfect for anyone wanting to know more about the subject, even if you think you know everything. I love the Scooby Doo characters and how they are learning the world of sex with us. Not only is sex explored, but so is the time dedicated to learning about relationships and the psychology to sex, as long with controversial topics, such as rape culture and #MeeToo. The amount of issues covered make this the most educational guide I’ve read.

The problem is because it goes into deep detail about each issue, the points can become overly repetitive. I felt like I was reading the same information over and over at times, but everything is clear and informative, and I think that some points do need to be reiterated. The approach to sex is open minded and freeing, even contemplating how sex will change in the future.

This guide is essential for everyone and anyone. The world of sex can be confusing to navigate, but this book helps you to find the answers everyone needs.

Sexuality is a subject that people often avoid, and I find that sad. Before going into this graphic novel, I knew of the troubles people face in society due to their sexuality, but I didn't know the history or the facts. The Graphic novel opened my eyes to many things, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn and nourish their minds of the power of Sexuality in Past and Present society.

<blockquote> "Labels help people make sense of their attractions, feel legitimate, find communities of support, and fight for rights. However, labels can also produce more discrimination, as well as making people feel they have to act in certain ways to fit new norms, constraining them to a fixed identity rather than an ever-shifting experience."</blockquote>

The illustrations in this Graphic novel were beautiful and well informative. I found myself following the conversations through the pages. I particularly liked the reference to the Mystery Inc gang from Scoby Doo. It was both pleasant and informative, and made me giggle slightly.

This Graphic Guide talks about serious subjects; it also intertwines beautiful illustration and small humour, making the information easy to digest and understand.

I loved how this Graphic guide made me stop and ask myself questions. I thought a lot about sexuality and how I've come across it throughout my life so far, and how I still have so much more to come across and learn about in the future.

I've seen the other books in this series everywhere but never picked them up.
Sexuality is a beginners guide to issues surrounding sexuality - it fails to go in depth about pretty much anything.
I liked it, but I definitely thought I was going to get more information than what was presented. It ends up feeling all over the place and with unfinished thoughts and explanations. It's frustrating because you can tell the information is condensed from what the authors know, I just think that giving more information to the reader for some topics would be beneficial.

I think this is suited as a conversation aid - for parents or in SPHE (social personal health education) or equivalent classes for those in the first couple of years of secondary school - than a solo resource.

This seemed to be a successful teen-friendly guide to all the issues regarding sexuality, from what is sex and how much we should have of what kind, to what sexual status we have in regards what gender we think we are and what kind of person we are attracted to. A lot of things have made strides towards defining a specific sexuality, whether it be religious oppression or scientists with their tick-box questionnaires about our desires and experiences. And wherever you look, sex is a minefield of either/or statuses, and declarations of what's normal and what's not, which helps few (even the people on the normal side of the fence, this says). The book is clearly designed to just be an introduction, to make people aware of all the relevant issues, as opposed to making people decide, give self-therapy or rail against any part of their own psychology. Before ending in a slightly woolly fashion it does come down heavily on a consensus mindset, from all and for all. Shelved in some places as a graphic novel it is more of an illustrative guide, and some people's sexuality (or lack thereof) will mean they find some of the imagery very unsavoury. I certainly didn't know what the heck the priapic dog was doing all over the place. But the creators clearly know their stuff – there is a welter of talking heads used in the text, which can make it really disjointed at times – and the amount of research or knowledge required to formulate all the right quotes from the right people at the right times shows this is no fly-by-night production.

A fun and educational graphic novel about sex, sexuality and gender and all the stuff in between. I loved the incorporation of the prolific writers and theorists on sexuality and gender, with quotes and phrases from popular media to highlight some of the issues. Also loved the historical look at sex, sexuality and consent and how this changed over time due to religion, political and other cultural norms from the western world.

I have to admit, I came to this book with some misconceptions in my head about what to expect. I was thinking that this was going to be a graphic novel aimed at teens to help teach about sex and sexuality, but I was somewhat surprised to find that the book was actually more of an illustrated text, with the writing to art ratio being pretty even, and that it was written in a way that didn't try to simplify things, and talked about the subject in a much more in depth way.

The book reads less like a graphic novel and more like an eduicational textbook, which I guess it really is. It takes its time to go into not just the modern ideas about sexuality, but the history of the subject, and will take the reader in a journey that goes back to the ancient world as it explains how sexulity was seen at different points in history, and not just how this changed, but also why.

Readers are introduced to different therapists, scientists, and doctors who have had an impact in this field over the centuries, and it explores how they came to their decisions about what sexuality is, and how this would go on to shape and inform those that came after, not just from an accademic point of view, but also how these conclusions shaped and influenced society as a whole.

Whilst it was great that the book tackled so much, and didn't just gloss over the subject in order to provide a book that gives reader the basics the main down side to this was a few times it felt like it was perhaps trying to take on too much, especially for the size of the book. There were times where I found myself wanting to know more about a particular aspect, or a certain time, but the book had to move on to talk about the next part of the topic. As such, I think of this book as a great stepping stone, as a good introduction the topic that can get people interested, but would perhaps see some people having to turn to other resources if they wanted to learn more.

This isn't a bad thing though, and it means that Sexuality: A Graphic Guide makes for a great first step in learning more about this topic. It will provide you with a good broad knowledge on the subject, one that could answer all of your questions, but it might also spark your interest in a certain area or a specific figure and make you want to delve deeper into it than you first thought you would.

One of the things that was pleasantly surprising was the way it was written to be accessible to younger readers, whilst also not alienating older readers. Sexuality is something that we should, in theory, have all learnt about in school. But the truth is that quite often the education system lets people down in this regard, and as such there are a lot of adults out there who have very ill informed or basic views on the subject. If this book were just aimed at younger readers, made too simple or too bright, it might turn away older readers who want to explore this subject, but Sexuality: A Graphic Guide sidesteps these pitfalls, making it an accessible and engaging read for people from all ages.

Sex and sexuality is often seen as taboo in society, and it books like this that help to break down barriers.

Through this graphic novel, experts have come together to provide a greater understanding of all things related to sex and sexuality.

The information is presented in a clear and easy to read way, with beautiful and informative illustrations. It touches on a lot of topics and although it doesn’t really go in-depth with every topic, it would be a great starting point for people who want to read about sex and sexuality. With this book, it may lead people into researching more on certain sexualities and it may answer questions they may be asking themselves.

This book is very inclusive with the language used as well as the sexualities mentioned. I was pleasantly surprised that it included a sexuality in a way that is easy to understand for those who may not know or understand what it means.

A informative book that I wished that I had access to as a teen. A great read full of important and easy to understand information

This graphic novel tackles a really important topic - sex. Society still deems sex as a taboo subject, and because of this, people hold a great deal of anxiety, embarrassment and shame about their erotic desires, their sexuality, attractions, their bodies, and the ways that we do/ don’t engage in sex.

Several therapist, scientists, doctors, and expects have come together for this novel to provide people with a greater understanding of all things related to sex. I wish I had this book during high school, even during university.

I think that this book will be beneficial to both kids - because let’s face it, teenagers are having sex nowadays- and adults. The information is clear and concise, yet it doesn’t come across as being patronising or demoralising, and the graphics help the reader feel included. This books helps cut through the confusion and reassures the reader that there isn’t a single definition of what is and isn’t normal when it comes to all things sex, and so we should be more open minded and accommodating to those who are different to us.

I learnt so much from reading this novel. I would recommend this to any person, sexually active or not as a guide to the scary world of sex.

I was given this graphic novels thanks to the authors, Meg- John Barker and Jules Scheele, Icon Books, and NetGalley in exchanged for my honest review.