A comprehensive anal health book written by a sex-positive doctor?! Yes please!

Not only did the sexual self-help genre need a book such as Butt Seriously; the healthcare field needs many more doctors like Evan Goldstein.

Dr. Goldstein starts by reassuring readers that anal play is a normal option for sexual experiences, busting myths and stigma surrounding anal sex, and providing a detailed description of anal anatomy. (Basically, the perfect “Ass 101” curriculum for anyone interested in anal sex.)

What information is explored in “Ass 201,” you might ask? Goldstein has developed an entire 6-week practice program in order to adequately (and slowly!) prepare your body for posterior penetration. After that, there’s another extensive foray into what makes up an “anal friendly diet.” Seriously. The amount of detail & thought that went into these two chapters is astounding.

Dr. Goldstein also truly exemplifies harm reduction when he tackles the delicate topic of anal douching. Although he has shared many reasons why douching isn’t necessary… he still recognizes that folks are going to do it anyway. The chapter dedicated solely to douching is something that I wish I had earlier in my sex education career; the information goes so far beyond anything I’ve ever found elsewhere.

If you are someone who is interested in anal sex (from either side of the coin) — or if you already engage in lots of anal fun but need some help troubleshooting, I definitely recommend Butt Seriously. It can sometimes feel like a bit of a sales pitch, but the information is truly beneficial.

This was a super interesting book about the history of butts, and it did not disappoint. I’d love more books by this author about different weird niche interests like this.

When a book about anal health and sex starts out with a Confucius quote, you know it's going to be good. The author is a surgeon that specializes in repairing the anal region and gives his experiences throughout his career working with patients. The most noticeable issue he continuously runs into is the shame around the anus and patients inability to talk about it even when it concerns health. The author gives the reader a look at how to best take care of the butt without making you feel ashamed. Instead he uses humor and honesty to make the reader feel seen and unashamed to talk about the most taboo part of the human body.

Fun, informative, and a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to expand their sexual repertoire from the bottom.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this book.

Butt Seriously by Dr. Evan Goldstein is an essential, informative, and fun guide to anal health and pleasure. This book covers everything you need to know, from anatomy and hygiene to techniques and toys, making it a comprehensive resource for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Dr. Goldstein's expert advice is presented with humor and inclusivity, debunking myths and breaking down taboos around anal sex. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, this book offers valuable insights to enhance your sexual health and enjoyment. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore and understand anal health better.

This is the most funny, informative and inclusive book on the subject of anal sex and the associated health issues and challenges. The author is a doctor specializing in surgery "down there" and he's also a gay man, so he has an understanding of the role of anal sex in queer relationships (he mentions as a sad anecdote how some doctors will tell patients "ass hurts? don't have anal sex!" but would never say the same if the patient came with let's say a penis pain during intercourse). The book isn't just for gay men, it's inclusive of all genders and sexualities and mentions anatomical differences between AMAB and AFAB people that could affect the person's experiences.

It also mentions problems of non-sexual nature that could result from bad diet, sedentiary lifestyle, bad habits in physical exercise (holding breath too much and clenching the muscles during weightlifting) or childbirth.

It covers best hygiene practices, for example why you should not treat your innards as if coming for colonoscopy next if all you want is to clear the rectum - how overusing enemas and douching can be harmful to the intestine lining and disrupt natural bowel movements, or why you should always clean thoroughly your hands, sex toys or anything else you stuff up your ass (did you know there's a tool to insert lube inside?).

It aims to destigmatize this often wrapped in taboo subject including "shameful" subjects that shouldn't be too shameful if you value your health and life, for example getting tested for STI and not hiding these from your doctor out of misguided shame.

It's a great tool for sex ed in an area usually omitted (for reasons like shame, taboo, embarrassment or homophobia) even for people who don't plan to engage in anal sex but want to know what kind of risks it entails and what are the best practices to avoid pain, injury or infection. I swear the general knowledge about this subject probably ends around "wash your ass and use lube" and potentially advanced level of knowledge is "don't use oil lubes with latex condoms", but there's a lot of blind spots and misinformation if all the knowledge comes from porn, naughty magazines or "just google it".

I love how the author approaches the subject with levity (you will find a lot of butt, poop and pain-in-the-ass jokes) to ease the reader into a subject that could be scary due to all the societal shame around it. But don't let the humor distract from how information-packed is this barely over 200 pages book, covering everything from best diet, over the counter medicines, tools for "anal prep" to best sexual positions listing advantages and disadvantages of them (and contrary to the popular belief that "bottoms" are just passively there while tops are pounding them, apparently the best beginner friendly position gives control to the "bottom" with them on top, i.e. cowgirl / cowboy, which makes sense because then if the bottom feels any pain they can change the angle or even completely stop).

I'm in awe with non-fiction titles Hachette is coming up with to combat taboos and stigmas in the areas of healthy, consensual sex that should not be veiled in so much mystery and shame in society, but here we are. Good, thorough, medically based information helps everyone to realize what's normal and what's not to decide what to consent to, and what not, and how to deal with any medical issues that might crop up without panic and despair.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group and Netgalley for the ARC!

Dr. Evan Goldstein is a fresh and desperately needed voice coming in to educate readers everywhere on holistic anal health. Everything from dietary information, critical bathroom conversations, and incredibly necessary and medically informed chapters on anal sex.

Butt Seriously truly serves as the definitive guide to all things anal health, from a leading global expert. Told in a cheeky tone, Butt Seriously is one of those unique non-fiction books that reads like fiction -- it's very voice-y, making it a very fun (and informational) read.

Thank you, Grand Central, for the opportunity to review an advanced copy! My queer bookstore just unpacked out orders today -- we can't wait to generate buzz in our community with this authoritative new text.

Super educational, and funny! We need to get rid of the stigma around the butt! Give yourself the tools to be the master of your butthole with this book. Dr. Goldstein makes this accessible and relevant to everyone- those who bottom, those who top, males, females and all genders. He debunks myths, goes over anatomy, provides how to guides for those partaking in or interested in anal sex, and what to do when issues arise down south. Also great tips on butt healthy diets and best daily practices/general maintenance of that area. Most surprising thing I learned- butt wipes are the worst thing EVER! Also- don’t wipe, pat, but better yet use a bidet or shower after every poop 🤣

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Pub for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

With a blend of scientific rigor and accessible language, Dr. Goldstein demystifies a vital part of the human body, debunking myths and shedding light on its many functions. Dr. Goldstein navigates through the anatomical structures and physiological processes from digestion to excretion with clarity and depth concerning the anus. He goes over proper sex practices and much more. What sets this book apart is its ability to seamlessly blend medical knowledge with practical insights, making it invaluable for both professionals and curious readers of all sexual and gender identities alike. While the subject may seem daunting, Dr. Goldstein’s engaging writing style and humor make this book enjoyable. Whether you're a medical student, a health enthusiast, or simply curious about the proper way to do anal sex, this book is an enlightening and empowering guide that deserves a place on your bookshelf.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprise. Dr. Goldstein found a way to make this book not only educated and formative but also humorous. even when you think you know a lot about bottoming and anal pleasures Goldstein is there to give you all the knowledge you need for success.

Great for readers looking for sexual health guides for themself or their partner. Comprehensive, non-judge mental, and practical.

This book is so well researched and tells it all like it is. It’s honest and not taboo and I appreciated how educational it was. I learned a lot and really appreciated the overall inclusion of every aspect of what you need to do to have not only a health backside but to enjoy it if that’s what you want. Great book.

"Dr. Evan Goldstein's 'Butt Seriously' is a must-read for anyone seeking comprehensive information about anal health and pleasure. With a blend of medical expertise and practical advice, this book covers everything from anatomy to sexual wellness. Dr. Goldstein's compassionate approach and clear writing make complex topics accessible and engaging.

I'm sort of surprised this book is not talked about widely yet, but I'm assuming it could be less of a marketing foible (though that could be a part of it) and more of a stigmatization issue? Or could also just be the fact that it's rather new, I hope it'll get more attention once it gets officially released (next month btw!! quite soon!)

Dr. Goldstein says that in this book, too: information about the butt is generally uncomplicated but the main challenge lies in destigmatizing the conversations about them, and this anal education benefits not only the gays but also straighties who wish to try new things in the bedroom, or otherwise just improve their relationships with their butts beyond what they do with it in the practical sense (shitting).

also im gonna quickly note here that there are indeed so many opportunities to make puns and dr. goldstein doesn't miss any of them :D you're in for a good laugh here and there, especially if your humor is similar to mine lmao

intro to dr goldstein: he is colorectal physician who is also a part of the gay community. he's been a gay physician for literal decades by now and hence has collected a myriad of stories from straighties and lgbtq+ folks alike. he writes of them in a compassionate and open-minded way, in that whichever community you identify yourself with, you'll understand and sympathize with the patients he's written about.

i shared the knowledge i gleaned from this book to friends who bottom and friends who have friends who bottom and friends who have no idea what bottoming entails (oh, bless your heart my sweet innocent friend who thirsts for knowledge the same way we fellow nerds do!) and the consensus is that the contents of this book should be more widely talked about and shared.

note that i've been in the medical field since graduating college centuries [exaggeration] ago, has taken my fair share of anatomy classes to work towards a science degree, but the disjointed knowledge gleaned from those don't compare to the amount of knowledge i got from this book, not because it's all new knowledge but because the things presented here are PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS of that knowledge. note that i've taken (AND ACED, I HAVE TO ADD) anatomy tests but in reading about anatomy here as it relates to butt health, i'm re-experiencing the same kind of swoon-y nerdy kilig feelings i felt while learning about anatomy itself. the human body is fascinating and astounding aaaaah

anyway so yeah, both in reading this book and talking about this book, i learned so much.
i'll try to organize the things i used "i am today years old when i learned" to begin a sentence with:
- there is a tool called a "dilator" and the cone-shaped ones are designed specifically for anal training
- the existence of lube shooters (narrow, smooth-tipped syringe that you can either fill with your fav lube or order pre-filled); ive always known that spit is not a good lubricant but im very happy to learn that there is in fact a quick way to lube yourself and your partner up without resorting to spit and that is!! lube shooter
- anal botox is covered by insurance here in the USA (psa: botox is generally helpful for many people not just in the aesthetic sense anyway--thats another myth that needs to be debunked--i have a friend who gets botox regularly to help with her migraines for example, and this is a pretty common example)
- douching is not a strict necessary prerequisite to anal play! it's optional and is not the most recommended and not the healthiest way to ensure mess-free anoreceptive intercourse, but like doc said, if you MUST do it, do it properly!! also very joyfully learned that one of my friends who bottom has had his fair share of douching-related learning-the-hard-way-moments BUT he's much more empowered once he's learned of the proper douching technique!! im pretty sure that as a seasoned bottom whose butt-related wisdom was earned, he endorses the things this book teaches too.
- according to friend who bottoms, in [redacted city] it's common for bottoms to be expected to bring condoms and lubes. friends, we were AGHAST when we learned about this. shouldn't tops be equally, if not MORE, responsible for making sure that a sexual encounter with a bottom is well-prepared for?
- another story from another friend who bottoms: there was a time when a top was so large he, the bottom, felt as if he was going to black out from the pain but couldn't stop mid-way because "he was already there." imagine my shocked pikachu face. (me and another friend, at the same time: "maybe a lack of preparation?!" psa, which is also covered by this book: sex is NEVER supposed to be painful. if you feel pain, STOP. someone's doing it wrong. likely the top. Never let your tops get away with hurting you please)

+ other things i already know but am not exactly familiar with especially re: gut health, anatomy, intercourse, etc. besides the pleasure derived from anal sex, there are also many benefits to developing a great relationship with your butt. i will for sure re-read multiple times the section on nutrition, which im so glad is included here too.

as i mentioned in some book club threads and friend-DMs: i am so endeared by the fact there are sections in this book that address tops specifically. my tl;dr here is if you have a big dick don't go around shoving it in people's holes without going slow especially you are inexperienced or are generally lacking in the compassion department. doc mentioned a joke there somewhere that a bottom is subject to financial recompense for cancelling, and i would like to add to it a serious tone and an additional suggestion: not only should bottoms be financially recompensed if tops cancel on them, bottoms should also be, in general, pampered and spoiled which means they have to spend a grand total of $0 to prepare themselves for a good night. tops bottoms and verses take note!

anyway, important thing to note here too, which doc emphasizes:
anal sex isn't the only way you put your butt at risk, btw.
you don't really realize how much risk you put your butt into until it gets listed clearly like it's been in this book:
- you're at risk if you're a woman or taking estrogen hormones because we women generally have thinner linings down there;
- you're at risk if you're a busy butt-in-chair office-worker who has to hold in poop for the sake of productivity (the longer you hold it in, the higher the chances for constipation and thus higher the chances for anal fissures swollen hemorrhoids risk for anal cancer etcetc!);
- you're at risk if you work out at the gym regularly--the muscles you don't pay much attention to, the ones who receive the brunt of the pressure you put them under: your butt muscles are screaming at you to workout properly;
- etcetc.

this book is not to be treated as a strict instruction manual but rather a loose supplement to use in conversations not only with partners, friends, selves but also with your physicians. so i hope that if you ever get curious about this book and decide to read it, as i have, you'll also find an open-minded and compassionate physician that you can confide in the way dr goldstein's patients confide in him. if all physicians adopt the same mindset dr goldstein does in healing practices, im sure our healthcare system is gonna be all the better for it.

Thank you so much Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!

This book is hilarious, well-researched, science-forward, and informative on a topic that has many misconceptions and some are too embarrassed to talk about. I consider myself, well.. an expert.. but still had many new tidbits to learn from this!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this approachable guide to… well, butt stuff! It’s funny but real, and very informative. With this being a topic that many people find to be taboo and/or embarrassing, I’m really glad a guide like this exists! I have a feeling it will lead to happier, healthier fun for lots of people!

A great source of information about a topic that many are too embarrassed to discuss. The author is relatable and humorous, good things to be when talking about a subject that many see as taboo.