When I heard Donna had written a book on celibacy I imagined it to be one of monastic origins with prayers and methods of punishing the lusting flesh. Sensual Celibacy was more than I could've ever imagined a book about celibacy and it truly lived up to it's title. Donna did a wonderful job explaining the importance of women knowing themselves and being at peace (not in pieces) when sex and men weren't available. Celibacy is seldom addressed in this culture because we (women) refuse to stop evaluating our femininity according to our sexual activity, believe it or not one has little to do with the other.
This book is filled to the brim with questions and practice exercises to encourage self examination of one's own self, which, for some of us was a eye opening view of what we really thought of the act of sex and it's power over our self-esteem. More importantly, Miss Williams drives the point home that celibacy need not be dull and full of sexual misery as she cleverly instruct readers on how their lives can be bright and full of SENSUALITY as celibate men and women.
She explains and categorize the whos and whys certain people choose celibacy as a lifestyle. Those of you that ever thought of yourselves as freaks for being celibates think it no longer, Donna has provided a new image and expectation for celibates of the new millenium. No more images of the rejected and embittered person as the celibate stereotype now it's the sexually empowered. I would recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and or interested in continual emotional growth, doesn't matter if you're celibate, contemplating celibacy, or sexually active this book is top-notched.
Donna Marie Williams is the author of Black-Eyed Peas for the Soul and Sister Feelgood: 365 Days of Health and Fitness for Our Bodies and Our Souls. Miss Williams is a speaker and writer residing outside of Chicago,Illinois with her two children. Fireside Books/ A Simon & Schuster trade paperback