Jo
Written on Aug 25, 2013
After reading Anatomy of a Boyfriend, I was super excited to read the stand alone companion novel, Anatomy of a Single Girl, sure it would be another upfront and honest read. And I wasn't disappointed! Another great book from Snadowsky!
Like Anatomy of a Boyfriend, this feels like an educational book told through story. Dom explores her sexuality further, and what is it is she actually wants from a relationship emotionally - and what kind of relationship she doesn't want. It's a book that shows you can be mistaken when it comes to want, when you're not getting enough. Through reading Dom's experiences, readers are discouraged from settling for something that doesn't truly light them up. I learned things myself - not just educationally about sex and all that goes with it, but also about love and relationships through Dom's experiences. It's not just an emotional story you get wrapped up in, but an informative one that makes you think, and question what you yourself would want.
Sex is a little less graphically described, as it's dealt with in the first book, yet it's still one of the focuses of the book. Dom may have had sex previously, but in Single Girl, she learns just how great it can be. Brilliantly, it also talks about the responsibilities of looking after yourself that come with being sexually active; the importance of getting yourself tested for STDs. Single Girl is the first book I've read that actually goes through the whole experience a female gynaecological examination. It's no holds barred, but like Snadowsky covered things in Boyfriend, it's real. It's almost like Snadowsky feels she has a responsibility to her readers to be as honest as possible, to give them knowledge rather than sugar coating things, and she takes it seriously. There are no horror stories, but she doesn't make it out to be super simple either. Embarrassing, uncomfortable, true.
Another really important book that should be required reading in schools! Definitely books I will encourage my future daughter to read. Both books are a great way to make sure young teenage girls and boys get the information they need to know, who may have trouble speaking to an adult about such things to get the right information (because we all know friends can be wrong). I sincerely hope Snadowsky writes a similar book from a guy's point of view - for girls as well as boys. Boys need the right information about their bodies too, but it would be great for girls to understand as well. You could say that boys have boys books that cover these areas, but the ones I've read tend to be comical and light hearted, and I think Snadowsky's more serious approach would be fantastic!
I really couldn't recommend these books more. Snadowsky should get awards for being so uncompromisingly honest. Such important books, and I do hope Snadowsky writes more!
Thank you to Daria Snadowsky for sending me a review copy.