Did you know that erotica is proven to boost libido and self-confidence with regular reading?
Reading romance novels and erotic literature is the best way to get more comfortable with yourself and explore your sexuality.
This allows you to become confident and courageous inside the bedroom and out.
Maybe you're a BDSM veteran who's looking for inspiration.
Maybe BDSM isn't quite in your comfort zone, but you're curious enough to know more.
Or maybe the BDSM meaning isn't quite in your vocabulary, but you're curious enough to know more
No matter your experience level, we recommend reading BDSM books!
Reading BDSM romance is a great way to explore your fantasies, no matter how taboo, in a safe and private space. And erotica is always a great way to unwind at the end of a busy day.
In this article, we try to break down the walls of taboo and give you the ten best BDSM books to read. In addition, we will provide you with a few more resources to deepen your understanding and get a complete BDSM education.
Read on to learn more!
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A Note for the Complete Beginner
BDSM can be intimidating to the newcomer. If you're not very well versed in some of the kinky terms, that's okay!
In order to give you a good foundation to start with, we compiled this article that covers all the basics.
Check it out to get a better understanding of what kinds of fantasies interest you, and start with erotica about them.
But now, we want to go directly into the books you should read Top 10 BDSM Fiction and 4 BDSM Educational Books to get started yourself!
So let's start with the best fictional BDSM Romance Books:
check out the short video summary and then hop over to the detailed description of each selection!
Emily Madigan is great at what she does. She's overworked, constantly stressed, and never has a moment to herself. The rest of her time is dominated by her work as a wedding planner.
One day, a couple walks into her office to plan their wedding at Fettered, the local BDSM club where they fell in love.
Damon Black, the club owner, could not be more different than Emily. And yet, as they make arrangements for this unconventional wedding, they find unexpected and kinky chemistry.
Fettered is a series of seven BDSM romance books.
While all of them are steamy and taboo, the chemistry of Damon and Emily is our favorite!
Claudia Cade is a city girl through and through.
She's hardly cut out for even the simple camping trip she takes with her brother. She's even less cut out for it when their trip turns into a fight for survival.
Nature photographer and ornery hermit Shepard Olsen saves her life with his perfect aim, and neither can stop thinking about the other.
Soon, they start a kinky relationship, using pain and pleasure to process trauma and to find a safe haven in each other's arms.
If you love the idea of a grizzled mountain man with a dominant and possessive streak (we sure do), you'll love Haven.
This is the first book of the Beards and Bondage trilogy, so if you enjoy it, there's plenty more to savor!
#3 Surrendered Control by Anna Edwards
Despite her job as an exotic dancer, Amy Jones is shy, naive, and innocent.
Or, she was until she met James North: a successful businessman and skillful dom.
He loves being a control freak, and showing Amy the ropes (literally) turns out to be a great way for him to express that.
Like all successful BDSM books, Surrendered Control walks the line of sentimentality and raw sensual pleasure.
A scorching hot read, this romance novel is a page-turner.
And, if you love the couple and their chemistry, there are six sequels in The Control Series!
#4 Bared to You by Sylvia Day
Sylvia Day is the number one best-selling author in 28 states and has a rack of awards and bestsellers to go with her work.
Bared to You is one of the best erotic romance novels ever.
The detailed and intimate writing is paired with compelling characters and scintillating chemistry for a masterclass in seduction.
Bared to You details the emotional dynamic of two abuse survivors as they process their angst through sex.
Recent graduate Eva finds herself stuck in an entry-level job, where she meets successful multimillionaire Gideon Cross.
Gideon Cross is handsome, enigmatic, and into a BDSM world of sex that Eva has never experienced before. But, there's a first time for everything...
If this plotline sounds familiar to you, it's because this book gets its inspiration from 50 Shades of Gray. If you loved that book and are looking for something similar, but with a fresh twist, this highly reviewed book is for you!
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#5 I Is For... by L. DuBois
Master Raine is an experienced dom working at LA's most exclusive BDSM club. The control gives him a sense of order in his chaotic life, and without it, he would be lost.
The club is running a checklist game, where each member is assigned a letter from A to Z and must complete a task starting with that letter.
Chastity, despite her name, is an experienced sub who loves everything from spanking to rope play.
The one thing she hates is the one thing Master Raine loves: rules.
As they explore the letter I, they get much more than they bargained for. Turns out, ice can be hot.
Luckily for us, the award-winning Checklist series has 15 books, one for every letter through N. The rest are in the works, but these 15 are perfect to hold you over while you wait.
#6 The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton
Kaden and Leah have been married a long time and have cultivated a wonderful and loving BDSM relationship.
Until Kaden discovers he's dying and asks his close friend Seth to take over as a dom for Leah.
Seth loves Kaden like a brother, but he lacks confidence and is far from comfortable playing this role for his friend.
You'll laugh and cry on this emotional rollercoaster, but don't be deceived.
This book can get incredibly hot, too, with some threesome action, some BDSM, and some very tender moments between lovers.
#7 The Story of O by Pauline Reage
This book, published in 1954, is considered an early precursor to 50 Shades of Gray.
The book was so scandalous that the author didn't take ownership for more than 40 years after publication!
The writing style is explicit and sexy but not obscene.
The Story of O explores dark obsession and the deep corners of extreme BDSM.
The real kinky stuff.
The story follows O, a Frenchwoman whose former master gives her as a gift to another wealthy man.
This story includes whippings and branding, which are intense but are also beautifully written and compelling.
#8 Mastering Her Senses by Laura Kaye
We've reviewed Mastering Her Senses before on our top erotic short stories list, but it's worth mentioning again because it's so delicious.
Cassie Locke was recently traumatized by a caving accident and is cripplingly afraid of the dark. Not one to back down from a fight, Cassie faces her fears at Blasphemy, the local BDSM club. Here she enlists the help of Quinton Ross, the local dom.
Through sensory deprivation, he seeks to master his new sub's senses and help her overcome her fear of the dark. Both get more than they bargained for with this heartwarming and sexy novel.
This is actually the second book in the four-book Blasphemy series, but the stories and characters stand alone. The only thread that connects them is the Blasphemy club.
So, if you end up loving Kaye's writing style, pick up the other books too!
#9 The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice
This trilogy combines Anne Rice's classic gothic writing style with some hardcore erotica and BDSM.
This imaginative spin on the folktale Sleeping Beauty has the prince waking up the sleeping princess not with a kiss, but with... other methods.
He's rewarded for this gesture with her complete devotion to him as a slave.
Note that this work of fiction has a very loose interpretation of consent and features some punishment scenes that are both hauntingly beautiful and also graphic.
It might not be for everyone, but this gothic BDSM work of art is unforgettable.
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#10 Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
This book approaches sensitive subjects like kidnapping and a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, so be warned.
Tess is kidnapped, drugged, and sold into a sex ring where a dom named Master Q buys her. For all brutality of her abduction, Master Q is neither sadistic nor cruel. Instead, he's handsome, and she finds herself both excited and turned on by their relationship.
If you're ready to find love in the most twisted places, Tears of Tess is exactly the dark, sensual ravishment that you've been looking for.
And important to mention: if you want to tiptoe into the genre, you can get Tears of Tess for free.
Deepen Your Understanding
Reading BDSM fiction can whet your appetite. But it can't always provide a practical education. If you want to understand BDSM more clearly, there are a few resources available.
We recommend the following four BDSM education books if your appetite has been awakened and you want to discover the steamy world of BDSM yourself.
These books will help you and your partner to find a sensual and inspiring way with all the confidence needed into the world of BDSM. So check them out if you want to live BDSM not only in fiction...
#1 Vanilla to Kinky: A Beginner's Guide to BDSM by Morpheous
One of the biggest hurdles for newcomers to BDSM is confidence.
It can be difficult to let go and feel sexy when you're not sure what you're doing! Your journey into the world of kinky sex might have you feeling nervous and unsure of where to start.
This book is designed for real beginners, not experienced dominatrixes.
With conversational and practical advice, pictures, tips, and tricks, How to Be Kinky will answer all those questions you have before you start.
You'll learn how to negotiate consent and enforce boundaries, how to use household objects for kinky purposes, and all the basics of role-playing and a dom/sub relationship.
It's a must-have for the BDSM beginner!
#2 The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge by Tristan Taormino
When it comes to exploring your kinks, it's important to do it right if you want to have a good experience. No matter what you're into, it needs to be both consensual and safe.
Maintaining boundaries is what differentiates BDSM from abuse.
The Ultimate Guide to Kink details all manner of BDSM kinks so you can understand your own interests and explore them in a safe and sexy way, learning from people who have already been there.
This book is divided into two pieces:
The first section is educational, with images and how-tos on bondage and more.
The second section is dedicated to personal experiences for (almost) every kink imaginable.
Each chapter is written by a different renowned sex educator, who will speak from experience on every taboo kink from age play to masochism. This is a sex manual that will be educational, inspiring, and provocative.
Whether you're a novice who's learning how to incorporate kink into your sex life or a veteran who thought you'd seen it all, you will love this book.
#3 The New Topping Book and The New Bottoming Book by Janet Hardy and Dossie Easton
This pair of books provide a good basis for the dom/sub relationship.
A relationship where power comes into play in the bedroom must be built on trust, respect, and an intimate understanding of the dynamic. It's vital to understand the responsibility of both roles so you can safely explore with your partner.
If you prefer being more dominant, The New Topping Book is for you, while if you prefer being more submissive, The New Bottoming Book is best.
However, we recommend reading both to deepen your understanding of your partner.
These books come recommended by sex education specialists as a foundation for the BDSM lifestyle. They are both compilations of accessible anecdotes. While you can expect some practical information, these books are primarily intended to explore the sensations, power dynamics, and meaning behind a BDSM exchange.
They are good picks for understanding the motives behind your kinks and how they can be both spiritually and sexually healing.
#4 The Mistress Manual: The Good Girl’s Guide to Female Dominance by Mistress Lorelei
Although it's true that statistically, most women choose the submissive role in a BDSM relationship, this is not universal.
There are plenty of firm-handed, dominant women who are ready to make their men obedient!
Mistress Lorelei is an experienced dom who wrote this book to inspire and educate you on how to come into your power as a woman.
It's a good view into another side of BDSM, as she takes the time to answer questions, help you find your confidence, and give you the basics of how to make your partner the (consensual) obedient that they should be.
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Spice It up With These BDSM Books
Whether you're looking for more intense fantasies or are ready to bring BDSM into your bedroom, start with these books!
BDSM allows you to explore yourself and your sexuality, so it's okay if you don't have all the answers yet.
As long as you respect your boundaries and the boundaries of your partner, you're sure to have a safe and sexy time.
Pick up these BDSM books today and start getting steamy. If BDSM isn't all you need, we have lots of other top lists and educational pieces, so check out our Top Reading Lists and our All about Erotica Section. We're sure you'll find something you like!
And did you know that we have a Light BDSM Story, which you can read FREE here online?
So do not miss to read "Filthy Nurse"!