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Sensation: Adventures in Life, Love and Laughter
-Nakedly frank and frankly nakedly necessary-
- Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller
Bestselling author Isabel Losada brings her unique blend of humour, curiosity and honesty to the still-taboo subject of sexuality. This is a brave, funny and often vulnerable quest to find out how we can make our sex life blissful.
On behalf of all women, slightly terrified, she begins with a woman's workshop where she has to get naked. From here, Isabel journeys through the first international conference of clitoral stroking, is informed of eleven different forms of orgasm - ten of which she hasn't had, endures NHS Kegel exercises and mystical sensations with tantric masters.
Irreverent yet open-minded, Sensation is both moving and challenging. For anyone who has ever been tempted to dip their toes in the deep waters of sexual exploration, Isabel Losada plunges you straight in.
- Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller
Bestselling author Isabel Losada brings her unique blend of humour, curiosity and honesty to the still-taboo subject of sexuality. This is a brave, funny and often vulnerable quest to find out how we can make our sex life blissful.
On behalf of all women, slightly terrified, she begins with a woman's workshop where she has to get naked. From here, Isabel journeys through the first international conference of clitoral stroking, is informed of eleven different forms of orgasm - ten of which she hasn't had, endures NHS Kegel exercises and mystical sensations with tantric masters.
Irreverent yet open-minded, Sensation is both moving and challenging. For anyone who has ever been tempted to dip their toes in the deep waters of sexual exploration, Isabel Losada plunges you straight in.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2017
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646 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 10, 2017
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sensation is about one woman’s journey into discovering how best to know the way to her own pleasure, especially when it comes to her sex life. Author Isabel Losada goes through a number of different experiences to find out the methods out there to know your ‘yoni’ better and to instruct your lovers in making you a very, very happy woman.
This book was fascinating for me. I genuinely had no idea that some of the methods and places Isabel visited existed. The idea of the ‘Om’ workshops and conventions actually existing was both baffling and wonderfully refreshing for me. I love that there seems to be so much out there dedicated to giving women a better sex life, and ways to teach them about their own bodies (and to teach their partners) in safe environments that are there for them, and no-one else and are also relaxed, unafraid and not vulgar in any way.
This is definitely one of those books I’d end up gifting some of my friends (and tell them to thank me later) but it’s one that women should be aware of, even if it’s just to think about our own bodies, our relationship with our bodies and our attitudes towards sex, orgasms and simple pleasure. A fascinating read!
Sensation is about one woman’s journey into discovering how best to know the way to her own pleasure, especially when it comes to her sex life. Author Isabel Losada goes through a number of different experiences to find out the methods out there to know your ‘yoni’ better and to instruct your lovers in making you a very, very happy woman.
This book was fascinating for me. I genuinely had no idea that some of the methods and places Isabel visited existed. The idea of the ‘Om’ workshops and conventions actually existing was both baffling and wonderfully refreshing for me. I love that there seems to be so much out there dedicated to giving women a better sex life, and ways to teach them about their own bodies (and to teach their partners) in safe environments that are there for them, and no-one else and are also relaxed, unafraid and not vulgar in any way.
This is definitely one of those books I’d end up gifting some of my friends (and tell them to thank me later) but it’s one that women should be aware of, even if it’s just to think about our own bodies, our relationship with our bodies and our attitudes towards sex, orgasms and simple pleasure. A fascinating read!
August 12, 2017
My goodness, the things I learn at age 64! I'm always surprised at some of the things going on this world I know nothing about.
That being said, I enjoyed Losada's writing and candidness but sometimes there was a little too much detail and I found myself skimming.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance digital reading copy.
That being said, I enjoyed Losada's writing and candidness but sometimes there was a little too much detail and I found myself skimming.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance digital reading copy.
January 19, 2018
Isabel Losada has written a bunch of other memoir-style books, including For Tibet, with Love: A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World and The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment. Even though she's apparently a popular author, Sensation was actually the first book I've read from her. Holy smokes, I LOVED it. Losada goes to all these kinda crazy sex workshops, and visits doctors and teachers and gurus to learn about female anatomy and sexuality. She's very open about her experiences and feelings---and though she keeps the name of her boyfriend confidential (referring to him only as T), she's also very honest about how all of this affects him and their relationship, too.
For example, Losada focuses a lot of attention on OM workshops, where, no joke, women go to have a partner rub their clitoris for two 15-minute sessions. The first session is with a partner the woman came with (usually a significant other), but the second 15-minute session is with a stranger. The point of each session isn't to have or give an orgasm. It's really more about feeling the sensation of being touched. But the whole process is "out there," for sure---especially when you consider that Losada does this with her boyfriend. I don't know that I would ever have the guts to have a stranger rub my vag for 15 minutes, but it sure is entertaining reading about someone else doing it.
Ultimately, I surprised myself by learning a lot from this book. I'm definitely not going to slack on my Kegel exercises from now on, I can tell you that... But even more important, I loved how Sensation celebrated a woman's sexual experience. The book reminded me that a woman's body deserves attention and love, compliments and gratitude, patience and adoration. It made me thankful for my body, for all it has done and for all the joy it brings me. When I finished the book I just felt really, really happy to be a woman. What a nice feeling, you know?
ARC provided through Amazon Vine.
For example, Losada focuses a lot of attention on OM workshops, where, no joke, women go to have a partner rub their clitoris for two 15-minute sessions. The first session is with a partner the woman came with (usually a significant other), but the second 15-minute session is with a stranger. The point of each session isn't to have or give an orgasm. It's really more about feeling the sensation of being touched. But the whole process is "out there," for sure---especially when you consider that Losada does this with her boyfriend. I don't know that I would ever have the guts to have a stranger rub my vag for 15 minutes, but it sure is entertaining reading about someone else doing it.
Ultimately, I surprised myself by learning a lot from this book. I'm definitely not going to slack on my Kegel exercises from now on, I can tell you that... But even more important, I loved how Sensation celebrated a woman's sexual experience. The book reminded me that a woman's body deserves attention and love, compliments and gratitude, patience and adoration. It made me thankful for my body, for all it has done and for all the joy it brings me. When I finished the book I just felt really, really happy to be a woman. What a nice feeling, you know?
ARC provided through Amazon Vine.
July 6, 2017
I was fortunate enough to read an advance copy of 'Sensation'. Having loved Losada's previous books, especially 'The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment' and 'For Tibet with Love', I would have read it, no matter what the topic. I must admit that I would not have chosen a book on female sexuality and sensation had I not been so keen on the author's style.
I did find the topic much more interesting than I expected, taking me into a world which I didn't realise existed. I had no idea there were such a range of workshops on sexuality and intensifying sensation. I also had no idea that so many people would be so comfortable with exposure of their intimate responses in large groups, often without clothes. I was stunned by the willingness of women to perform sexually sensational (in many meanings of the word) acts in front of large audiences promoted as education. Because Losada writes so honestly, her own reservations and discomfort made the adventures into these groups so much more realistic than a clinical description or the hype of the promoters.
It was Losada's determination to spend a year, with male partner 'T' often in tow, to explore the offerings in the world of female sensations that is what made the book so fascinating for me. As always, her easy-to-read and humorous style made the book enjoyable, even when I found some of the descriptions too honest to be comfortable. Without that honesty, the book would have carefully skimmed the detail which made it so real.
As the appeal of these workshops to me personally is extremely low, the appeal of a book which enables me to understand the perception of an intelligent adventurer into that world is extremely high. Thank you yet again, Isabel Losada!
I did find the topic much more interesting than I expected, taking me into a world which I didn't realise existed. I had no idea there were such a range of workshops on sexuality and intensifying sensation. I also had no idea that so many people would be so comfortable with exposure of their intimate responses in large groups, often without clothes. I was stunned by the willingness of women to perform sexually sensational (in many meanings of the word) acts in front of large audiences promoted as education. Because Losada writes so honestly, her own reservations and discomfort made the adventures into these groups so much more realistic than a clinical description or the hype of the promoters.
It was Losada's determination to spend a year, with male partner 'T' often in tow, to explore the offerings in the world of female sensations that is what made the book so fascinating for me. As always, her easy-to-read and humorous style made the book enjoyable, even when I found some of the descriptions too honest to be comfortable. Without that honesty, the book would have carefully skimmed the detail which made it so real.
As the appeal of these workshops to me personally is extremely low, the appeal of a book which enables me to understand the perception of an intelligent adventurer into that world is extremely high. Thank you yet again, Isabel Losada!
July 5, 2017
This is a book every woman and man who is in a relationship with a woman should read. It's an incredibly brave and honest book and I've learned a lot from reading it. Isabel is open and honest and takes us on a real journey throughout a year where she tries different experiences. It's funny and interesting and not in the least smutty. It certainly opened my eyes! I've recommended it to all the women I know!
Read
May 16, 2018I am torn between 2 and 3 stars. 3 stars means I liked it, which I didn't. But, I didn't not like it and 2 stars means it was ok - which is what it was. But I still read the whole thing, so 3 stars it is.
This is basically a few guardian supplement articles extended out to a 300 page book. I have a sneaking suspicion that her humour doesn't translate on the page and would love to hear her talk in person. She comes across as extremely uptight, as most of the book is her going on and on and on and on and really on and on and on about how uncomfortable she is and how she can't believe she is doing whatever she is doing. Unfortunately, it makes up the bulk of the book.
There is some good stuff in there, some random breathing stuff, but the om stuff, means I have to read a whole other book, which is fine. But I didn't need her 100 pages or so as well.
It's very readable, she writes well. But I feel like she has no self awareness. And does one really want to read 'adventures' (I would hardly call them adventures) by a woman who says vanilla sex is the best?
Well, I did and it leaves much to be desired.
This is basically a few guardian supplement articles extended out to a 300 page book. I have a sneaking suspicion that her humour doesn't translate on the page and would love to hear her talk in person. She comes across as extremely uptight, as most of the book is her going on and on and on and on and really on and on and on about how uncomfortable she is and how she can't believe she is doing whatever she is doing. Unfortunately, it makes up the bulk of the book.
There is some good stuff in there, some random breathing stuff, but the om stuff, means I have to read a whole other book, which is fine. But I didn't need her 100 pages or so as well.
It's very readable, she writes well. But I feel like she has no self awareness. And does one really want to read 'adventures' (I would hardly call them adventures) by a woman who says vanilla sex is the best?
Well, I did and it leaves much to be desired.
July 28, 2017
Every woman, man and couple should read this book!
I'm not a massive fan of non fiction but I am a big fan of Isabel Losada. Her books are so much better than other books in the self help genre too as she's not patronising in any way.
The way Isabel writes makes you feel like you're on the journey with her - whatever that journey that may be. The journey this time is all about exploring sensation - sex and all the things we as women so easily ignore. Why do we put ourselves so far down the priority scale when it comes to pleasure? Everything else comes first but hopefully after reading this book - Isabel will have convinced you to put your own pleasure first.
I found myself making bookmarks in the pages to remember the funny and insightful bits!! All the way through the book I felt like Isabel was talking to me - even found myself answering out loud. At one point when one of the characters was explaining something and I was zoning out she pops up saying - don't check out here - like she knew! Loved that
I learnt stuff. I laughed. I squealed. I even read bits out loud to my boyfriend. I've even shared some of the stories in it to friends over drinks and it's sparked even more sharing and chats. Would be a great book
Club read.
Please read this book - it's so worth reading. Isabel has all the same curiosities and questions about relationships and sex that we all have but she just asks them out loud then goes on a journey to find the answers. And even if she doesn't get all the questions answered you still feel like someone is rooting for you. And she really is..
I'm not a massive fan of non fiction but I am a big fan of Isabel Losada. Her books are so much better than other books in the self help genre too as she's not patronising in any way.
The way Isabel writes makes you feel like you're on the journey with her - whatever that journey that may be. The journey this time is all about exploring sensation - sex and all the things we as women so easily ignore. Why do we put ourselves so far down the priority scale when it comes to pleasure? Everything else comes first but hopefully after reading this book - Isabel will have convinced you to put your own pleasure first.
I found myself making bookmarks in the pages to remember the funny and insightful bits!! All the way through the book I felt like Isabel was talking to me - even found myself answering out loud. At one point when one of the characters was explaining something and I was zoning out she pops up saying - don't check out here - like she knew! Loved that
I learnt stuff. I laughed. I squealed. I even read bits out loud to my boyfriend. I've even shared some of the stories in it to friends over drinks and it's sparked even more sharing and chats. Would be a great book
Club read.
Please read this book - it's so worth reading. Isabel has all the same curiosities and questions about relationships and sex that we all have but she just asks them out loud then goes on a journey to find the answers. And even if she doesn't get all the questions answered you still feel like someone is rooting for you. And she really is..
July 24, 2022
I'm a big fan of Isabel Losada's writings, which are always about her personal research of a topic and her own experiences in the field, as well as her writing style, which is therefore very personal but also funny and overall easy and pleasant to read. This book did live up to my expectations for storytelling and style. However, the actual content was not always very interesting and in many cases spun out much too long. Especially in the very first topic she writes about, a tantric workshop for women, she goes on an on about ... nothing because some of the only things she tells us about it is that she is not allowed to tell anything about it. Very informative! The next chapter, on OM (orgasmic meditation) was more interesting but in my opinion also much too long. After that the book seems to pick up its pace (exploring among other things training pelvic floor muscles and even breathing) but the structure remained quite chaotic and the many spelling errors are very disrupting to me. As was to be expected, this book is only the tip of the iceberg in exploring sexuality but it does achieve its aim: it brings the topic and importance of sexuality (and more specifically women's sexuality) into the open and has piqued my curiosity. I'm definitely putting some of the books in the 'further reading' list at the end of the book on my own list.
July 4, 2017
This delightful book follows, to some extent, the path taken in Isabel's other 'Battersea Park Road..' books (Perhaps the publishers baulked at 'The Battersea Park Road to Orgasm'? ). Isabel throws herself into exploring the ways in which women experience physical pleasure, via a number of different workshops and with various experts in the field. She does this with great humour. I had several laugh-out-loud moments re-reading this on a train journey. This isn't to belittle the serious intent of the book in exploring why women have been denied their natural birthright of pleasure.
So is this a book solely for women? I think not. As it asks " Why wouldn't men want to make women happy ?" Indeed.
It is , in some ways, an intensely personal book. It's interesting that some of the author's inhibitions remain firmly in place despite exposing herself ( sometimes literally) to various intimate activities.
I do wonder what my lesbian friends would make of it, as the emphasis is largely on male-female interactions. I guess I'll have to buy them a copy and ask them!
But overall, a great read.
So is this a book solely for women? I think not. As it asks " Why wouldn't men want to make women happy ?" Indeed.
It is , in some ways, an intensely personal book. It's interesting that some of the author's inhibitions remain firmly in place despite exposing herself ( sometimes literally) to various intimate activities.
I do wonder what my lesbian friends would make of it, as the emphasis is largely on male-female interactions. I guess I'll have to buy them a copy and ask them!
But overall, a great read.
July 13, 2017
I'm already a fan of Losada's previous books, so when Isabel asked for volunteers willing to review her latest book here, I was keen to read it! She therefore provided me with a review copy, but placed no other conditions.
As with Isabel's other books, this is a fresh and engaging read. Her style is inviting and humorous, as she reports on her attempts to educate herself about the female organs, both for pleasure and for health and well-being. I hadn't realised that this exploration would be the primary focus of the book, and I certainly now feel much better informed!
I was astonished by the courage and openness with which she undertook extremely revealing workshops, both alone and with her partner, and then reported back her explicit findings. Her assiduous attendance and participation in lectures, demonstrations, tutorials was impressive- if this were an academic subject, she would definitely have a PhD by now! And she was certainly amply rewarded along the way.
If you are curious to know more, for yourself, or in order to become more intimately acquainted with the needs and predilections of your partner, hesitate no longer- buy a copy and get out your hi-lighter pen!
As with Isabel's other books, this is a fresh and engaging read. Her style is inviting and humorous, as she reports on her attempts to educate herself about the female organs, both for pleasure and for health and well-being. I hadn't realised that this exploration would be the primary focus of the book, and I certainly now feel much better informed!
I was astonished by the courage and openness with which she undertook extremely revealing workshops, both alone and with her partner, and then reported back her explicit findings. Her assiduous attendance and participation in lectures, demonstrations, tutorials was impressive- if this were an academic subject, she would definitely have a PhD by now! And she was certainly amply rewarded along the way.
If you are curious to know more, for yourself, or in order to become more intimately acquainted with the needs and predilections of your partner, hesitate no longer- buy a copy and get out your hi-lighter pen!
December 6, 2017
4+
Absolutely fascinating and enlightening stuff. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time I'm sure.
Absolutely fascinating and enlightening stuff. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time I'm sure.
October 1, 2018
It felt like I was having a glass of wine with a knowledgable and highly entertaining friend. A wonderful book!
November 5, 2025
Ein interessantes Buch und auf jeden Fall mal was anderes. Sensation ist Isabel Losadas sehr persönliche Reise in die Welt der (weiblichen) Sexualität. Sie probiert alles Mögliche aus von Tantra-Workshops über Beckenbodentraining bis hin zu Kursen, bei denen es darum geht, seine eigene Lust besser kennenzulernen. Das Ganze ist teils humorvoll, sehr offen erzählt, und zwischendurch auch informativ. Trotzdem muss ich sagen: Es war nicht ganz das, was ich erwartet hatte. Ich habe ziemlich lange gebraucht, um es fertigzulesen. Vielleicht, weil mich das Thema zwar grundsätzlich interessiert, der Zugang aber manchmal etwas esoterisch und fremd wirkte. Einige Workshops, die sie beschreibt, fand ich ehrlich gesagt eher fragwürdig. Im Nachhinein bekommt das Ganze noch einen bitteren Beigeschmack, wenn man weiß, dass OneTaste (eine der Organisationen, über die sie schreibt) inzwischen vom FBI untersucht wurde und (soweit ich’s verstanden habe) die Gründerin wegen Zwangsarbeit, Menschenhandel und Prostitution dieses Jahr verurteilt wurden. Das macht viele Passagen im Buch rückblickend etwas… verstörend.
Read
May 20, 2017I don't feel like I can give this a rating because I haven't got far enough into it. Her writing style was fun and engaging I just found that actually I had no desire to learn what her 'desire' was...
I don't think I really got what she was going for here, women's sexual liberation? sexual liberation in general? finding out what makes 'good sex'?
I might even one day go back and have another crack at it, at the moment however I have no interest in learning how she found her couples sex class...
I don't think I really got what she was going for here, women's sexual liberation? sexual liberation in general? finding out what makes 'good sex'?
I might even one day go back and have another crack at it, at the moment however I have no interest in learning how she found her couples sex class...
November 26, 2017
Thank you Isabel for having the courage to speak and teach about this topic out loud. It is sad to see how little both males and females learn about their sexuality and improve their methods and habits. I believe the world would be a much better place if more people read about your experiences with the experts of the world of sensations.
January 15, 2021
Interesting read with some thoughtful ways of rethinking sexuality. But bit disturbing now that One Taste is being investigated by the FBI for various allegations and Nicole has gone missing.
November 4, 2022
Life is too short to read bad books
January 6, 2022
I wanted to like this book because it is of the genre I have recently decided I am interested in-- a detailed account of a person's attempt to try out self-help techniques and the subsequent discussion of the outcome (she calls it "narrative nonfiction"). And I also think Isabel Losada and I have a bit in common when it comes to views on sexuality; we are both of the opinion that a woman's sexual pleasure is beautiful and an incredible physiological gift. The clitoris is a marvel, etc. And Losada and I seem to be in agreement that things like pornography and BDSM are threats to healthy expressions of sexuality, which seems to be a rarer opinion these days now that feminism has turned into "all my choices are feminist because I identify as a feminist and I am making them" as opposed to "female liberation from patriarchal subjugation". There are a lot of things that I hate mostly because they are expressions of male terrorism, but also in part because they corrupt and defile what I think is most beautiful about life. I think sex is GOOD. I think sex is BEAUTIFUL. I think that which warps and commodifies sex is WRONG.
...and that's where this book kind of falls flat on its face. A big portion of this book is devoted to the author's descriptions of her foray into the world of "Orgasmic Meditation". I thought this actually sounded delightful and I was honestly considering giving it a try sometime! But when I did a web search on the matter, I found out that the group responsible for pioneering this movement is currently under investigation by the FBI for sex trafficking. This book accidentally ended up being an extended advertisement for an actual pyramid scheme sex-abuse cult. Yipes.
I was also extremely wary of this "Alexey" guy she visited for a "yoni massage". I think that he is a misogynistic creep who takes advantage of compassionate New Agey women who fall for the faux-spiritual woo-woo that he leverages in order to get away with molesting as many women as humanly possible. I don't think he loves all of his clients with the universal lovingkindness we can attain through enlightenment and the proper alignment of the body's invisible energy fields or whatever. I think he is a sex criminal.
I also unfortunately noticed many, many typos and formatting errors in my edition of this book. I don't think all of it even necessarily reflects on Losada's writing skill-- I think she just needs to hire a better editor in the future.
Despite these faults, I refuse to give a one-star rating because I did find the book very readable and generally enjoyable, and I also thought that the section about pelvic floor exercise was helpful. It is great to know that there is definitely one quick and effortless way to reliably enhance one's sensation and sexual health.
...and that's where this book kind of falls flat on its face. A big portion of this book is devoted to the author's descriptions of her foray into the world of "Orgasmic Meditation". I thought this actually sounded delightful and I was honestly considering giving it a try sometime! But when I did a web search on the matter, I found out that the group responsible for pioneering this movement is currently under investigation by the FBI for sex trafficking. This book accidentally ended up being an extended advertisement for an actual pyramid scheme sex-abuse cult. Yipes.
I was also extremely wary of this "Alexey" guy she visited for a "yoni massage". I think that he is a misogynistic creep who takes advantage of compassionate New Agey women who fall for the faux-spiritual woo-woo that he leverages in order to get away with molesting as many women as humanly possible. I don't think he loves all of his clients with the universal lovingkindness we can attain through enlightenment and the proper alignment of the body's invisible energy fields or whatever. I think he is a sex criminal.
I also unfortunately noticed many, many typos and formatting errors in my edition of this book. I don't think all of it even necessarily reflects on Losada's writing skill-- I think she just needs to hire a better editor in the future.
Despite these faults, I refuse to give a one-star rating because I did find the book very readable and generally enjoyable, and I also thought that the section about pelvic floor exercise was helpful. It is great to know that there is definitely one quick and effortless way to reliably enhance one's sensation and sexual health.
October 3, 2017
Who knows, maybe this book will change my life? It's a question that's hanging for the time being, because I've booked myself onto an OM course as a result of reading "Sensation".
There are a TON of books out there on female sexuality, and increasing female pleasure. So what makes this one refreshing is that - to my surprise - it focuses on just a few specific practices, and goes into these in deep detail. OM is the main one (I'm not sure if this review will get through if I write it out in full, sigh).
The author herself is refreshing too. It's clear throughout the book that she isn't in either the "hard science" or "hard hippy" camp. She's open-minded and adventurous in the extreme, but she also states when she thinks something is ridiculous or unfounded. I've read similar books, such as "Come As You Are" by Emily Nagoski, and I've often felt rubbed up the wrong way by their saccharine "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL! YOU'RE A GODDESS!" hysteria. I genuinely feel that I can trust Isabel Losada, and I haven't felt quite that way with any other person writing about the female sexual experience.
My one criticism of the book is that because a lot of it is framed around conversations and interviews with people, it's dialogue-heavy with very markers for who's speaking, so I often lost track of who was saying what. The dialogue also felt stilted sometimes, a bit too edited. But it wasn't a deal-breaker at all.
In summary: if you are looking for an all-round whistle-stop tour of female sexuality, "Sensation" is not your book. But if you have read a few books in this genre already and/or you want to explore new avenues - whether you have a partner or are single (like myself) - I really do recommend this one.
There are a TON of books out there on female sexuality, and increasing female pleasure. So what makes this one refreshing is that - to my surprise - it focuses on just a few specific practices, and goes into these in deep detail. OM is the main one (I'm not sure if this review will get through if I write it out in full, sigh).
The author herself is refreshing too. It's clear throughout the book that she isn't in either the "hard science" or "hard hippy" camp. She's open-minded and adventurous in the extreme, but she also states when she thinks something is ridiculous or unfounded. I've read similar books, such as "Come As You Are" by Emily Nagoski, and I've often felt rubbed up the wrong way by their saccharine "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL! YOU'RE A GODDESS!" hysteria. I genuinely feel that I can trust Isabel Losada, and I haven't felt quite that way with any other person writing about the female sexual experience.
My one criticism of the book is that because a lot of it is framed around conversations and interviews with people, it's dialogue-heavy with very markers for who's speaking, so I often lost track of who was saying what. The dialogue also felt stilted sometimes, a bit too edited. But it wasn't a deal-breaker at all.
In summary: if you are looking for an all-round whistle-stop tour of female sexuality, "Sensation" is not your book. But if you have read a few books in this genre already and/or you want to explore new avenues - whether you have a partner or are single (like myself) - I really do recommend this one.
September 28, 2017
I would like to thank the publisher for letting me have a pre-publication copy of this book. I would like to start with the positives (as the book encourages): it is funny, informative, interesting and extremely brave. Unfortunately it is also quite boring at times, I nearly gave up on the book early on, but luckily I didn’t as it picked up after a while. I have a new favourite joke thanks to the book, and I have learnt about a lot of classes and conferences taking place that I never knew existed.... I’m not so much into the spiritual arena, but if this is something you’d like to explore you might enjoy more parts of this book than me. The book explains that there is a lack of knowledge of female sexuality (personally I really hope this is not as widespread as the book implies) but if you feel the need for enlightenment or you are curious, this book covers a range of suggestions/options out there to improve the relatively normal (I.e. non-fetish) female pleasure. I applaud the author for having written such a brave book!
August 6, 2019
I appreciated Losada's forthrightness in detailing her experiences and efforts to better understand her relationship to sex and her own body, and female pleasure, etc. I found the book interesting in certain parts more than others, but I find it hard to quantify rating someone else's description of their own experiences - it's more like... reading this book can help you decide if you want to do further reading and research on some of the practices and organizations she talks about.
It's definitely aimed at straight, cis women, not that others couldn't read it either but I found there were a number of comments where she kept talking about being turned off at the idea of another woman touching her or not wanting to take part in female-oriented spaces. This whole book is her own perspective (and she does address this) so I don't take issue with her feeling that way, but I just think I would put that caveat on any recommendation I would give so people don't end up feeling alienated or jolted out of the narrative.
It's definitely aimed at straight, cis women, not that others couldn't read it either but I found there were a number of comments where she kept talking about being turned off at the idea of another woman touching her or not wanting to take part in female-oriented spaces. This whole book is her own perspective (and she does address this) so I don't take issue with her feeling that way, but I just think I would put that caveat on any recommendation I would give so people don't end up feeling alienated or jolted out of the narrative.
July 1, 2017
I know Isabel personally and I dig her work - very much! With her latest book, I feel as if I am sitting on a couch with her having a long, long chat about sex, sexuality, spirituality and of course, the very title itself - sensation.
On behalf of us womenfolk, who would like to understand more about this subject but are either too busy, too tired, or simply too afraid (be it via cultural stigma or just being plain scared), Isabel takes us through various workshops and experiences revolving around the (often-radical) ways we can explore this area intelligently, philosophically, spiritually and sensibly.
If I could, I would hand this book to all my female friends, but I can't as it isn't available in the shops till September - although you could pre-order it online.
I am going to reread this book again soon, because she offers us a lot to think about.
On behalf of us womenfolk, who would like to understand more about this subject but are either too busy, too tired, or simply too afraid (be it via cultural stigma or just being plain scared), Isabel takes us through various workshops and experiences revolving around the (often-radical) ways we can explore this area intelligently, philosophically, spiritually and sensibly.
If I could, I would hand this book to all my female friends, but I can't as it isn't available in the shops till September - although you could pre-order it online.
I am going to reread this book again soon, because she offers us a lot to think about.
February 3, 2019
For someone in their twenties in 2019 this book is a little bit too "middle aged aunt who's trying new things". As it's written as a sort of personal essay, Losada takes you on a journey of loads different workshops and activities that she does to find more "sensation" or pleasure in her sex life.
Some of the chapters are really interesting, especially the one about OMing, but I did find it difficult to relate to a lot of it as someone who is a bit younger, less heterosexual and single.
It's a good book to help people feel less afraid of their relationship with their body sexually, and it does get you to think in a variety of perspectives. However, it did miss the mark a bit for me.
Some of the chapters are really interesting, especially the one about OMing, but I did find it difficult to relate to a lot of it as someone who is a bit younger, less heterosexual and single.
It's a good book to help people feel less afraid of their relationship with their body sexually, and it does get you to think in a variety of perspectives. However, it did miss the mark a bit for me.
November 10, 2018
I interviewed Isabel for a preview of my town's literary festival at which she was booked to talk. At the end of the interview, she made me promise to buy a copy of her book and read it. I'm a man of my word, so I did. A few weeks later I wrote Isabel the following in an email,
"I did go out and order Sensation. Thought you'd be interested to hear that my girlfriend today told me, 'Whatever is in that book of yours, it's hitting all the right spots.'"
I thought I should share that on here so, voilà.
"I did go out and order Sensation. Thought you'd be interested to hear that my girlfriend today told me, 'Whatever is in that book of yours, it's hitting all the right spots.'"
I thought I should share that on here so, voilà.
February 20, 2021
I didn’t dislike this book enough to give up on it but I found myself switching off while reading large chunks of it and I was had to finish it. One of the biggest issues for me was that some of the ways Losada described certain things just came across as irritating (to me) so I found that I didn’t always like her.
There were parts that sucked me in and I found interesting which is why I didn’t give up on it but on the whole I’m glad to be moving onto another book and I don’t feel very inclined to read any other books by this writer.
There were parts that sucked me in and I found interesting which is why I didn’t give up on it but on the whole I’m glad to be moving onto another book and I don’t feel very inclined to read any other books by this writer.
January 1, 2018
Easy reading and fascinating. I admire her courage to step out and actually try things herself rather than merely report.
The way that so much is permeated with Buddhist thought and 'energy' is unfortunate. There are other 'vocabularies' that would be equally consistent yet there is not disputing that those who use such 'vocabulary' have been more bold in exploring both the helpful and the unhelpful.
Through it all I also very much appreciated her humour and her humility.
The way that so much is permeated with Buddhist thought and 'energy' is unfortunate. There are other 'vocabularies' that would be equally consistent yet there is not disputing that those who use such 'vocabulary' have been more bold in exploring both the helpful and the unhelpful.
Through it all I also very much appreciated her humour and her humility.
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July 31, 2017Full disclosure: I did not know what the book was about when I requested it: Details the author's experience in enhancing her sexual knowledge and expression by going to sex workshops with her boyfriend where they both explore clitorises and vaginas, she being touched by random strangers. Broadly speaking, it's about being comfortable in your own skin and knowing what works for you as a woman.
November 15, 2017
Didn’t proceed with finishing the book after the Author said that the book was designed for women who are into boring and unadventurous “Vanilla Sex”.
So it was misleading saying how great this book was according to reviews, now I can see why as I respect that people not into fetish things, will find this book useful.
So it was misleading saying how great this book was according to reviews, now I can see why as I respect that people not into fetish things, will find this book useful.
January 4, 2019
Everyone should read this book
Taking responsibility for your own pleasure should be high up on everyone’s list of priorities and this book certainly teaches that in a funny, insightful and totally relatable way. I live it and have recommended it to all my friends. I will also encourage my son to read it when he’s older and looking for advice on women!
Taking responsibility for your own pleasure should be high up on everyone’s list of priorities and this book certainly teaches that in a funny, insightful and totally relatable way. I live it and have recommended it to all my friends. I will also encourage my son to read it when he’s older and looking for advice on women!
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