What the BUTT are you reading this summer?
We asked, you delivered. A bunch of thirsty sapiosexuals came through with their summer reading tips after a call out in our BUTT Club newsletter last month, from nightstand staples in California to the best beach-friendly poetry for showing off on an island paradise.
Maria, San Francisco
I’m rereading Brittany Newell’s ‘Soft Core’ this summer, for the third or fourth time. Following the life of a stripper and pro domme named Baby, the novel makes loneliness and yearning feel sexier and sexier each time I reread it. Set in San Francisco, it is THE Bay Area summer read, with its fogged-out, squiggly plot mapping nicely onto our freezing cold July weather. If your Bay Area situationship doesn’t have this book on his nightstand, he’s either illiterate or out of touch.
Shahmir, London
Currently reading ‘Rules for Whistleblowers’ by my dear friend Stephen Martin Kohn, who’s been able to protect dozens of whistleblowers from getting their butts handed to ‘em. As a whistleblower myself, I genuinely believe it is one of the most profound calls to arms in years, and a tool for more people to come forward and do the sexiest thing one can do to make a “real” tangible difference.
Tulio, Pennsylvania
Currently reading ‘Faith Beyond Resentment’ by gay Catholic priest James Alison. His theological reflections are insightful, especially from the queer Catholic perspective. Reading this during DC Pride, between going to Kiki’s and TRADE.
Darren, New York
I’m reading Mario Mieli’s ‘Towards A Gay Communism’ as I have always felt that my queerness was part of what led me to questioning the inherent contradictions of the capitalist system.
Mehmet, Amsterdam
I’m reading ‘Our Lady of the Flowers’ by Jean Genet, the perfect book to keep you hard, yet just literary enough to refrain from jerking off (sometimes). Plus, Frank O’Hara for some sophisticated faggotry.
Amelia, London
Here’s me at my scuzzy gym reading ‘Fuck Me Judith’ by Claire Star Finch. It’s about a queer professor existentially fucking her way through a breakup, with a more famous older professor. It’s silly, smart, titillating and deeply niche fanfic for the knowing homo.
Harry, Edinburgh
I’ve been enjoying reading BUTT as well as Olivia Laing’s ‘The Silver Book’. A choppleganger for an actual holiday to Italy but a very lovely read.
Gert, Waverveen
‘Jaguar Man’ by Raoul de Jong takes me to Suriname where the author travels in search of himself, his ancestry, and just to be mesmerized by the country and its fizzing rainforest. Definitely carries me away from my Dutch here and now! As of recently available in English, French and German.
Rosen, Berlin
Quentin Crisp’s memoir ‘The Naked Civil Servant’ is testament to the tradition of beloved transsexual eccentrics in English public life. You can plough through its laugh out loud, economical and acerbic prose on a beach day or two. Literally every page is chock full of sassy zingers.
Delwar, Marseille
Here’s me taking a siesta after reading ‘Furry Tales’ by Brown Boyz in the Sun. The photo was taken by my friend Yassine.
