This may very well be my favorite comprehensive book on asexuality that I’ve come across yet. This went above and beyond any other book I’ve read on asexuality that, comparatively, felt a bit more basic and rudimentary. They would only ever skim the surface of all that asexuality is and can be for many different people. Because after all, asexuality is far from being a monolith, which is one of the points that Cody drives forward in this book, delving into all of the intricacies, nuances, and micro identities that fall under the umbrella of experiences that is asexuality.

Even just reading this myself, I came across nuances explained in the book that I myself experienced in my own asexual identity but always struggled to come to terms with because I feared that it made me “not asexual enough” or “not really asexual.” But it was only because I didn’t have the vocabulary until now. This just shows that your identity can constantly shift and grow as you gain new insight into asexuality that you hadn’t know before. This is just one of the many reasons why this book is so, so important, not only in highlighting these other micro identities that are seldom discussed about in detail, but in Cody’s insistence to the reader that your journey with asexuality is yours and yours alone. There is no “right” way to be asexual. There is no checklist or official diagnostic sheet that grants you the right to call yourself asexual. Your identity is whatever feels right to you.

I also just really appreciated that this book had genuinely useful information for asexuals in their everyday lives, from how to know when the right time is to come out that makes sense to you (or if you need to come out at all), to navigating the realm of dating and relationships as asexual. This gives so much more of a jumping off point for asexuals to even after finishing this book, to incorporate and practice in their own lives that goes so far beyond just a basic Asexuality 101 with basic terms and vocabulary.

This was simultaneously the most in-depth and most validating, affirming book for any asexual to read. Cody not only brings in-depth knowledge of asexuality to his book but also comes forward with such empathy and reassurance, reminding us that our asexuality is not something to apologize for but a part of ourselves that should be celebrated and embraced. This is a must-read for anyone who belongs to the A!

I was interested in reading this book because I wanted to learn more about asexuality. This book provides an excellent and accessible introduction to asexuality and the asexual spectrum; I would recommend it anyone who wants a better window into this under-represented and misunderstood group, but especially to anyone pondering how they fit into the broad realm of human sexuality, to parents trying to understand their children, and to educators and counselors.

I could not have asked for a better introduction to this topic.

(I will post a mini-review of this on my blog on July 23, and will prompt again in January upon the book's publication.)