Nagoski begins by answering the question she believes all women are wondering: “Am I normal?” She shows how men and women’s genitals have all the same parts but are organized in a different way. The book explores three major themes: You Are Normal, The Mythology of Sex, and Reframing Personal Sexual Experience. Nagoski hopes to empower her readers with research-based practices and knowledge that she believes can lead to more enriching and loving sexual experiences. Her answer is a resounding “yes.” Men and women have myriad sexual preferences, anatomies, accelerators, and brakes. Nagoski argues that beneath all these inquiries is a longing to know that personal sexual experience is normal. Come as You Are addresses the questions that many men and women have about genitalia, genital response, arousal and desire, and numerous other topics.ĭr. Emily Nagoski’s book Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life investigates the mythologies surrounding women and sex and replaces these dangerous narratives with scientific research. The book also references instances of sexual violence and rape.ĭr.

While she uses words like “woman” and “female” in the book to explain this science, she recognizes that the information offered may not encompass the vast array of experiences regarding gender and sexuality.

Nagoski makes clear in the introduction that her work is based on existing science, which tends to center on cisgender women. This guide uses the 2021 paperback reprinting by Simon & Schuster.Ĭontent Warning: Come as You Are is an exploration of sex, anatomy, and neuroscience.

Nagoski’s works have received the SSTAR’s 2017 Consumer Book Award, Goodreads Choice Awards for Top 5 Science and Technology Books, Book Riot’s Best of 2015, and Buzzfeed’s “17 Things That Changed Our Sex Lives in 2015.” Come as You Are is a New York Times bestseller.

Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski