Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk About Sex After Sixty, by Joan Price [Paperback 2005]
10+ reviews
|
Pick This * DescriptionBetter Than I Ever Expected is a warm, witty, and honest book that contends with the challenges and celebrates the delights of older-life sexuality. It asserts that women over sixty are at the top of their game when it comes to enjoying sex. Joan Prices woman-to-woman straight talk transcends the self-help style of other books in this field. Yes, there are challenges to sex after menopause and beyond, says Price, but there are also creative solutions. She is on a mission to let women her age and older know that they can, in fact, have the best sex of their lives. Price gets personal and stays positive, combining her own story with candid comments, tips, and sassy tales from sexually seasoned women. She acknowledges the gritty issues that older women confront in their sexual lives, noting that its not easy, but it certainly isnt over. At age 61, Price is newly engaged to the man shes been looking for her whole life. Her discovery of how great "well-seasoned" sex can be was the inspiration for this book. Sidebars present candid and friendly sex tips; fitness, exercise, and lifestyle information; and women's erotic vignettesboth real-life experiences and fantasies. More |
Rave Reviews (5)*
1) Encouraging advice, and a great love story, too
by T. Goldfarb on February 24 2006
30+ helpful votesIf you're trying to decide which of the new "sex over 60" books to buy, definitely choose this one. It is not a step-by-step "how to" book that might offend people, although it does cover every aspect of sexual activity--married, single, solo, gay, straight, young, old, one-night, long-term (50 years and even longer). Instead, the book provides practical, encouraging advice from experts and from ordinary women about the joys of loving relationships, dealing with sexual problems of menopause, loss of interest in sex (or your partner's loss of interest and/or ability), how to approach sex with a new partner, helpful exercises, and even a detailed discussion of sex toys and assistive devices. (I thought these were only for `adventurous' couples, but the book explains how they can make sex possible and more enjoyable for older people).
Plus, this book is also a beautiful love story which could stand on its own, even without all the excellent sex information. The writer chronicles her many relationships, from her first teenage romance (You'll be furious to learn how her father broke up what might have been a lasting relationship), to a succession of sexual affairs, including a short failed marriage. It's easy to see why she had given up on finding true love. But she never gave up on having an active, fulfilling life as a dance and exercise instructor, despite two devastating auto accidents that left her with many scars and lasting injuries.
And then, magic! In the form of a trim, gray-haired, older man she spots in one of her dance classes. These are true-to-life 60-plus people, not wrinkle-free, gorgeous-body super models, but the story of how their love and sexual relationship blossomed is a real page turner. And be prepared for a few tears when you come to a troubling revelation near the end of the story.
This is a thought-provoking, informative, encouraging book you'll definitely want to share with friends.2) Sassy Elders!
by Rebecca Brown on February 01 2006
20+ helpful votesDr. Bond of Rebeccasreads highly recommends BETTER THAN I EVER EXPECTED: Straight Talk about Sex after Sixty as a courageous & witty guide for young people on the verge of discovering the paradise of sexuality, for older couples who have been brain-washed into thinking sex is only for the young, & for those happy lovers of all ages who wish to believe that the bliss of lovemaking will continue as long as they live.
After Joan Price agreed to write BETTER THAN I EVER EXPECTED, she circulated the following: "Wanted: Interviews with sassy, sexy women, age 60+, who are willing to share feelings and experiences openly and anonymously in a candid, woman-to-woman book" (p. 6). To her surprise, women responded abundantly, & were hungry to share their experiences & reveal the most intimate details of their bodies, fantasies, & relationships. Price uses quotes from these women's responses to illustrate her findings throughout.
BETTER THAN I EVER EXPECTED is an original book that needed to be written.3) Like Sex Itself: Fascinating, Fun, and Educational
by Charles B. Price on October 17 2006
20+ helpful votesBetter Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk About Sex After Sixty by Joan Price lives up to its title! Like sex itself, it is fascinating, fun, and educational: a how-to book for staying sexually active and enjoying it as we, men and women, mature. With stimulating anecdotes and clinical details, it leaves no sexual arena unexplored. It encourages us to move beyond age and sexual stereotypes and better understand ourselves and our bodies. It gives a variety of suggestions on how to surmount dryness, wrinkles, flaccidity, and the like, in order to continue exploring the frontiers of pleasure and intimacy. Wise and very respectful, Joan reminds us "Great sex is what's happening between two souls, two minds, two hearts--not just two bodies." This book is a testimony to love and creativity. EVERYONE will learn from it. It is what a book should be, enriching! I wholeheartedly recommend it.
4) It's About Time - Thanks Joan Price!
by John on January 27 2006
10+ helpful votesWhat I love about this book is how lively, personal, and sexy it is! This is a 61-year-old woman talking straight out about her own sexuality: her first introduction to sex, her wild exploits in her 30s, her frustrations as an older woman looking for a relationship, and her affectionate, erotic, and often funny antics with the man she loves. I disagree that it's a "woman's book," by the way -- any man who's interested in how women think and act would enjoy this! I sure did.
5) Sex after sixty works for younger lovers too
by gidget on February 13 2006
10+ helpful votesThis is the very best book I have read on enjoying sex as a mature adult. I highly recommend this book to ALL men and women, young AND old. Although I am many years from being sixty, it helped me adjust to the physical and psychological challenges of pre-/post- menopause. The specific and detailed sex advice by Joan Price and her contributors have inspired in me a renewed confidence and an accelerated enjoyment of sex. The sexperts have helped me to supercharge my sexual enjoyment and outlook on sex at any age. A whole new world has opened up for me thanks to you ~ I love you, Joan!
Credible Critiques (0)
Currently, reliable critical reviews are unavailable.
