Suggested Reading
Polyamory and Relationship Books for Everyone
This page contains affiliate links; all opinions and content are my own.
Laura Boyle
My book! Ready for Polyamory outlines different types of polyamorous relationships so that you can find your flavor of consensually non-monogamous relationship, and go in with both eyes open to the possibilities before you. It contains a lot of practical conversations to have as well as theory about non-monogamy.
Dedeker Winston
Despite the gendered title, a great book for people of all genders to deal with the "how-to"s of polyamory, as well as examining our own boundaries and how they apply to our relationships.
Janet W. Hardy and Dossie Easton
One of the original books on open relationships, updated in 2017 to give a modern twist to the now-classic philosophy (innovative at its first edition release) that being easy isn't an insult because - "Where is the value in being difficult?"
Dr. Liz Powell
A comprehensive guide to choosing your own flavor of ethical non-monogamy and switching between them openly over the course of your relationship life, in communication with your needs and your partners.
Tristan Taormino
The best guide to coming to polyamory from a base of monogamous couplehood, in my opinion. Tristan Taormino has written other books but Opening Up holds up really well.
Elisabeth Sheff
The book you give you family member or friend who wants to understand and learn more - a quick read, inexpensive, and aimed at someone who isn't polyamorous themself.
Kathy Labriola
I talk about this workbook more than any other book on the blog - it's a great text and series of exercises to work on jealousy and examine your emotions. I've owned two copies, and recommend it all the time.
Kathy Labriola
From the author of the jealousy workbook, an examination of the reasons for and particular challenges with breakups in polyamorous relationships.
Jessica Fern
An examination of attachment theory without the biases of monogamy and structural assumptions around how to ensure security in our relationships, by a polyamorous mental health professional. A breath of fresh air for not having to dig through advice that doesn't apply.
Kevin Patterson
A detailed and both first and third-person examination of the experiences of people of color in polyamorous and queer communities.
Raven Kaldera
A look at the complexities of polyamory in power exchange relationships, especially M/s relationships.
Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy
Half of the series giving a why and how of BDSM relationships, from the authors of the Ethical Slut. A fun read!
Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy
The other half of the series on BDSM play and relationships by Easton and Hardy - together with the new topping book, a great intro for people looking to understand or explain why kink.