An Emporium of Erotica: The Coco de Mer Reading List
Erotica is something of a misconceived corner of a library - Such depth, desires and imagination. A place to explore and liberate all sorts of pleasures. A poetic turn of phrase in this world can take you on a journey like no other, and evoke all sorts of emotions.
We thought we would share a few titles to whet your appetite and quicken the pulse
Think of this as self-love for sapiosexuals…
CLASSIC DEPTH
Delta of Venus, Anaïs Nin
Feminine sensuality, poetic prose, and unapologetic explorations of desire from a literary icon of erotic writing. The encounters in this novel are utterly unforgettable, we defy you to read this and not feel, stirred. We highly recommend ‘Little Birds’ as well, her second volume of erotic writings. May we add, Anais Nin is one of our icon Pamela Anderson’s favourite all-time writers, so we know we’re in good company here.
Justine, or The Misfortunes of Virtue, Marquis de Sade
“Your body is the church where Nature asks to be reverenced.”
Name a more debauched legend of the written word – we’ll wait.
Controversial and darkly philosophical, this infamous work challenges moral boundaries and societal hypocrisy. The subjects are dark, triggering to many, and explicit to the core, woven with meaning and bound to provoke. The Marquis de Sade was declared insane for such thoughts…
The Story of O, Pauline Réage
One of the most renowned erotic novels of all time, and for good reason – when it comes to erotica, this has to be something of an essential. It holds a highly charged plot with a poetic penmanship, blending jarring moments with untapped pleasures. Your repertoire will never be the same again.
Story of the Eye, Georges Bataille
An avant-garde classic from the 1920s that dives into the surreal, perverse and taboo, blending philosophy with transgressive eroticism. Prepare to be shocked, lost for words and a little intrigued…
MODERN EMPOWERMENT
Fifty Shades Trilogy, EL James
We couldn’t not… The Red Room being based on our Covent Garden boutique, after all. These aren’t necessarily empowering on every page, but it certainly shifted the genre to the mainstream, and made this sort of writing both acceptable, and celebrated. May we recommend reading this to a travel companion and watching the titillating effect on those around you… Plane journeys have never been so fun.
The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang
‘Neurospice’ in all its glory. Sweet, steamy, and smart - this modern romance blends neurodivergent representation with sexy empowerment. Enjoy an exploration of love, acceptance, overcoming obstacles, and the challenges of dating – throw in a neurological condition like Asperger's with chemistry like this and you have quite the story at hand…
A Court of Thorns and Roses (Series), Sarah J. Maas
One of the ‘spiciest’ young adult series of writings to date… Think fantasy, blend with erotic romance, and make sure there is a strong female lead who finds power and passion on her own terms. Our kind of heroine in every sense.
The Siren, Tiffany Reisz
A dominatrix heroine, witty writing, and thought-provoking explorations of art, pain, and pleasure. This is an intriguing play of power, and a wonderful dance between the dynamics. “In a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.” Brace yourself, reader, this is a ride to remember…
It would be rude of us not to mention ‘The Awakening’ by Katie Chopin – a book dear to the heart of Coco de Mer, and integral to our purpose. But you can read about this in another Reading Room.
POETIC DESIRE
The Collected Erotica: Anaïs Nin, Erica Jong, and Others
The Female Gaze equivalent of erotica. A selection of pieces from women writers who have reshaped erotic storytelling through a righteously feminist lens. Something of a must-have for a heated bookshelf.
Tender is the Flesh, Agustina Bazterric
Dark, dystopian, and disturbingly charged – eroticism takes a turn here. Prepare yourself for a page turner that uses intimacy to explore societal horror and human attraction.
Playing with Matches, Michael Faudet
An ode to passionate love. The way this man writes is raw, vulnerable, fittingly poetic and utterly seductive. It’s evocative, empowering and just, exquisite. One for the romantics.
PROUD EROTICA
Take the term ‘taste the rainbow’ into a new realm…
Carmilla, J. Sheridan Le Fanu
A gothic lesbian vampire tale that predates Dracula and brims with sensual subtext.
Written on the Body, Jeanette Winterson
Genderless narration, lyrical prose, and sensuality that transcends physical form.
Nevada, Imogen Binnie
This may not be erotica in the traditional sense, but it is raw, queer, and empowering - sexuality and identity are deeply intertwined, one not to miss.
Enlightenment series, Joanna Chambers
Dry wit and emotional intelligence. A gay historical romance that balances steam and style.
TICKLED PINK
Sometimes humour is the ultimate aphrodisiac…
The Unhoneymooners, Christina Lauren
Escapism in its most enjoyable state, blended with sharp, funny dialogue. The slow build of attraction is deliciously frustrating, dancing around their undeniable chemistry with wincing humour. Escape into warm, chaotic romance within these pages.
The library of Dame Jilly Cooper
Sex, scandals and high society showdowns. It would be a disservice to British erotica if we didn’t cover the throbbing members conjured up by Dame Jilly Cooper. Jilly Cooper’s books are effectively soap operas in print, packed with charisma, flirtation, and over-the-top glamour. Not always empowered per se, but ideal for those who like their erotica somewhat ‘raunchy’ with a substantial serving of ‘totty’ and lashings of fun.
‘Riders’ and ‘Rivals’ are the beloved classics that are something of a rite of passage, along with ‘Polo’, naturally - but within the team there is a memorable anecdote of reading ‘Score!’ as a teenager to a room full of young hormones and unleashing all kinds of mischief… The Holy Trinity.
Kissing Tolstoy, Penny Reid
Who doesn’t love an eccentric professor-student dynamic with unexpected depth and hilarity? The forbidden dynamic is laced with tension — fuelled by intellectual chemistry as much as physical. The restraint, the longing, the teasing flirtation all contribute to a slow-burn heat that is beyond delightful. Cerebral, steamy romance blends with a classic case of forbidden love. It’s a wonderful argument for embracing the power of the boundaries, not the restriction of them.
The world of Mills and Boon
And then we have the quintessential charm of Mills & Boon. These riveting reads may not always be tear-jerking hilarity, but they are often self-aware, joyous and comforting – Think bygone rom-coms with an added pinch of heat. The ‘Modern’ and ‘Desire’ Series might possibly be the most vanilla recommendation on this list, but many of the more recent titles play host to strong heroines, diverse representation, and a good balance of swoon and steam. The ‘Dare’ Series is spicier, snappier, and more explicit than the traditional tones of ‘Modern’ and ‘Desire’ - with bold women and emotional realism. But for a soft, coquettish humour and all the romance, this might actually be the place to start, ironically.
The Hating Game, Sally Thorne
The longest slow burn ever - and it works. The constant proximity, the banter layered with innuendo, the tension that crackles with restraint… When it finally breaks, the satisfaction is truly palpable. Real, heart-melting vulnerability, and climaxes that feel utterly earned. A modern classic in the genre.
Let the mood set, and your imagination take control…
Why not light one of our massage candles as well?
We have a number of other reading lists with phenomenal reasons to flick over, so do peruse The Reading Room in all its glory.