Yesterday I posted a not-entirely-flattering review of Fifty Shades of Grey (but I read it, so the dark side wins anyway), and a reader asked me to recommend some erotica that is actually good. So, I made a wee list.

This list comes with the disclaimer that both reading preferences and sex preferences are highly individual things, so you might hate my smut, and I might hate yours. Everyone’s tastes run a little bit differently. But there is nothing worse than a would-be sexy book rendered completely unsexy by clumsy writing.

With that in mind, here are some books of erotica that did not make me retch with the awfulness of plot, writing, grammar, spelling, word choice or punctuation (or lack thereof).

Delta of Venus by Anais Nin

Vox by Nicholson Baker

Aqua Erotica by Mary Anne Mohanraj (editor)

Little Birds by Anais Nin

The Burning Pen: Sex Writers on Sex Writing by M. Christian

Do Not Disturb: Hotel Sex Stories by Rachel Kramer Bussel

Written on the Body by Jeannette Winterson