Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

BDSM Must-Read Books

Purple Star emoji 13 items
Whether you’re just exploring BDSM or ready to deepen your knowledge, these books offer essential guidance on power exchange, consent, communication, and play techniques. 
💡 Perfect for:
 ✔️ Curious beginners 
✔️ Submissives & Dominants looking for foundational knowledge 
✔️ People wanting to understand the psychology, dynamics, and safety behind BDSM
Sections
4
 
 
 
 

BDSM & Power Exchange Fundamentals

These books introduce the basics of BDSM, power exchange, and play styles.

 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Covers mindset, techniques, and ethics of dominance 
✔️ Great for aspiring or experienced tops 
✔️ Emphasizes emotional intelligence and responsibility in BDSM
The New Topping Book Paperback – July 1, 2003
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Explains submission psychology & safety 
✔️ Helps bottoms develop boundaries & negotiate scenes 
✔️ Essential for understanding your own desires in BDSM
The New Bottoming Book Paperback – January 12, …
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ One of the best intro-to-BDSM books ever written 
✔️ Combines historical context, humor, and practical advice 
✔️ Explores psychological aspects of D/s relationships
Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Helps you navigate real-world BDSM communities 
✔️ Covers fetish events, dungeons, etiquette, and protocols 
✔️ Includes practical tips for attending your first play party
Playing Well with Others: A Field Guide

Consent, Communication & Ethical Power Exchange

These books focus on clear communication, negotiation, and consent practices in BDSM relationships.

 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Focuses on authentic communication in relationships 
✔️ Helps build trust, emotional intelligence, and honesty 
✔️ Useful for negotiating BDSM dynamics & power exchange
Radical Honesty - Brad Blanton
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Essential for understanding ethical non-monogamy & BDSM relationships 
✔️ Helps you set boundaries and communicate openly 
✔️ Covers jealousy, trust, and emotional intelligence
The Ethical Slut – Dossie Easton & Janet Hardy
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Covers relationship structures that overlap with BDSM 
✔️ Helps you understand multiple partners, boundaries, and ethics 
✔️ Great for navigating polyamorous or open D/s dynamics
More Than Two: A Practical Guide to Ethical Polyamory – Franklin Veaux & Eve Rickert
placeholder
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Explains how to ask for what you want and negotiate desires 
✔️ Essential for understanding enthusiastic consent & boundaries
The Art of Receiving and Giving: Wheel of Consent
placeholder

Impact Play & BDSM Techniques

These books provide step-by-step guidance on flogging, rope bondage, and other play techniques.

 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Features essays from real BDSM experts 
✔️ Covers impact play, bondage, breath control, and more 
✔️ Great for those wanting technical skills & deeper knowledge
The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM & Role Play
placeholder
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ A quick but comprehensive guide to caning techniques 
✔️ Covers safety, rhythm, and impact intensity
The Toybag Guide to Canes and Caning – Janet Hardy
placeholder
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Focuses on erotic and decorative rope bondage 
✔️ Includes illustrations and safety tips
Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage
placeholder

Service Submission & Protocols

For those exploring formal D/s relationships, 24/7 dynamics, and structured protocols.

 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Essential for anyone exploring service submission 
✔️ Explains how service dynamics function in BDSM 
✔️ Covers both practical and psychological aspects of service-oriented submission
Real Service – Joshua Tenpenny & Raven Kaldera
placeholder
 
Domme Claire profile picture
✔️ Q&A format covering real-life M/s relationship experiences 
✔️ Offers guidance on obedience, rituals, and long-term dynamics
Dear Raven and Joshua: Master/Slave Q&A
placeholder