I hear smut books are pretty popular.

So, is that the second book?

Is that the follow-up?

Hey, Alison Stoner here, author of semi-well-adjusted

despite literally everything.

When I was writing my memoir, I found a box of journals

detailing my vulnerable past experiences.

These are diaries from my younger self.

This is a journal entry that starts with when I think of sex.

I think this was written when I was just deconstructing my faith

and starting to understand that I had not only

absorbed messages from within the church but also messages, ideas from society,

social conditioning, all of it. So it's kind of intense and it's kind of sad. Stay with me because I'll connect the dots.

When I think of sex, I think of

nasty, dirty, gross, scary, untamed,

distraction,

better alone, Rather give than receive. I don't feel spontaneous arousal. Not a priority. Challenge accepted. Pleasing. When I desire, I feel tantalized, consumed, assertive, emboldened,

nervous about what I have to say, scared and ashamed.

When I am desired, I feel loved,

obligated if I'm not in the mood.

Aw.

This person had not even ever had a conversation about consent yet.

...