Laid: Young People's Experiences with Sex in an Easy-Access Culture

I read Laid in two days. Not only was it riveting and digestible, but it completely brought me back to reality when it comes to sex. Nowadays, it is so easy to get caught up in the common portrayal of sex in the media—actors jumping into bed together on the first date, total strangers having casual (and explosive) sex without any emotional repercussions afterwards, young teenagers eager to give away their virginity in order to fit in etc, etc. Boodram masterfully weaves together stories that cover just about every aspect of sex, from amazing, consensual sex to rape, to waiting for that special someone rather than sleeping around. Ultimately, the best message I was able to extract from this book is to treat sex with a little more sacredness—it is a life changing activity and should be handled as so. Thank you Shan Boodram for grounding a generation accustomed to an "easy-access culture" with hard facts, compelling stories and great messages!

"Laid" is, hands down, the best book I've ever read on sexuality.Canadian journalist and youth activist Shannon T. Boodram does an amazing job of telling the story of youth and sexuality in North America today, with comments, essays, poems and letters from 40 young North Americans - and with deeply personal and insightful posts drawing from her own personal experiences.Ms Boodram and her collaborators explain how the intimate lives of today's young adults are affected (in many ways, for the worse) by the rise of modern social media and the omnipresence of online porn (a phenomenon Ms Booderam summarizes as the "Easy Access Culture").The book is divided into 5 thematic chapters, dealing with hookups, positive sexual experiences, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, rape and choosing when to be (and, more importantly, when NOT to be) sexually active. There are brief explanatory notes before each chapter, and discussions and questions to be answered by the reader at the end.The contributors - including Ms Boodram herself - are amazingly honest in their descriptions of their experiences. Ms Boodram says she told them to write as if they were sending a message to their best friend, and the contributors more than live up to her request.Above all, I would definitely like to note Ms Boodram's personal courage in sharing her own story, in all it's details - that personal touch, and that willingness to open her heart to her readers, is the highest point in the book.The section on sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy is not only very sincere and heartfelt it's also remarkably informative (I actually learned things I never knew about STIs from that section!)Speaking as a former vocational educator and youth services worker, I would highly recommend that every school district and youth program in the USA and Canada adopt Ms Boodram's work for classroom use - I'm quite sure the students would see their own stories reflected in it's pages, and they would know they are not alone in their struggles with dealing with sexuality.Not only should every young person in the US and Canada read this work, I would also urge that anyone who is the parent, guardian or otherwise in the life of a teenager should definitely read this book, as should anyone who works with the young adult population.This is an excellent work, and I would highly recommend it.

I feel like this book is an absolute MUST READ by all preteens and young adults who are considering venturing into the very adult realm of sexual intercourse. It's not all doom and gloom, which makes it realistic but the elements that do spotlight the bad side-effects of irresponsible behavior do give proper insight to why it's so important to make wise choices. Birth control, STD Protection, and thinking wisely on if the person you're about to engage with is the right person is covered between the covers of this book. Real talk for real times regarding a real subject. Very well written, very provocative, very well-arranged.

I already had a copy of this book in college. Truly opened my eyes to sex and I learned and gained understanding by reading the book. Relatable topics!! 5 years later I bought this copy for a cousin going off to college. Must read for a young adult explore sex for the first time and easy access culture of young adulthood and college.Book was delivered in great condition

I'm nosy okay. Thats why I have a job where I get to listen to people tell me their deepest darkest secrets.So LAID was the perfect book for me. It was interesting to read the different circumstances under which people lose their virginity. Some are funny, some are sad, and some are painful to read. I identified with some writers and with others I couldnt. I thought that the book did a good job of providing a broad range of different first sexual experiences as well as leave room for discussion for topics such as rape, alcohol and sex, etcI think this book is perfect for young teens to read. It gives an honest view of sex and raises some very interesting questions and topics that should be talked about but rarely are.

This book terrifyed me as a virgin women avoid if you like having good sex. Horrible book.

Shannon has put together a wonderful book that gives you countless first had experiences from real life girls and woman. Whether its about their first time having sex to pregnancy or STI scares. Its Honest, Its Real and I wish I had this when I was first coming out sexually.Whether you have a child just reaching 'that age' or you want to further educate yourself. Do yourself a favor and read this. I can't recommend it more.

Bought it for a friend and she loves it so far, i plan on buying one for myself. I had her book the game of desire and is a must read. Love how open she is and her personality.

Shan Boodram is an absolute game-changer when it comes to sex education and sex therapy. I have read all of her books and religiously watch her on YouTube. This book is a bunch of stories told by young people about their experience with sex in the current day and age. It's very refreshing to hear honest accounts and makes you feel like maybe you aren't alone. Not that I am young anymore, but I would recommend this to anyone or their teenager.

My wife and I who are clergy have always counselled young people to wait before marriage before engaging in sexual relations. The reason is not just because we believe the Bible counsels against sex before marriage, but because sexual intimacy moves all relationships onto a new level, which we are convinced many young people do not understand fully. This, in spite of a world awash in sexuality. LAID is a good no nonsense read, based on the stories of real people of the effects of sexual involvement. It is not a light read--in fact it is a troubling read. Boodram has not pulled any punches and we appreciate her honesty compassion.An excellent resource for any parent or counsellor or teacher--for the world Boodram writes about is all too real

Amazing book, i learn so much , it changes my life. You going to learn about sexuality and other view and its nice , information and preventive at the same time

Just as I hoped for. Very raw, open, and honest. It is a book for everyone to read. It is very relateable and relevant in today's society and very well written. I love it!

good book