There was a discussion on fetlife about whether people ever read aloud to their partners. I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen this topic come up on a kink forum, and I was amazed at how many responses it got.
When R. and I were first together he read Harpo Speaks to me because it’s his favourite book. It was wonderful to spend the cold winter weekends on the couch listening to such an amazing autobiography.
A lot of people mentioned that they read erotic to each other, and some said they tended to read non-fiction kink books like S/M101 or The Loving Dominant as a way to open communication and get inspired.
I think this is a fantastic idea, and it’s one I very much recommend to people as a way to keep up with the dynamics of the relationship in long-term relationships. Sceneing constantly is not practical or realistic and just leads to burn-out, in my experience. Reading to each other helps keep things fresh, and can work well into all kinds of kink-oriented relationships.
It can also inspire people when the energy is flagging due to real-world intrusions.
The reading R. does allows him to share things he thinks his little girl should know about. Pop/Hollywood culture from the 40’s-70’s, is a big favourite of his, and he loves to share it with me. I’m just old enough to remember vaguely some of the personalities he reads to me about (George Burns, The Marx Bothers, etc…) which makes it fun.
The idea is that it gives him Daddy-time and puts me into little girl headspace; especially when he tucks me into bed and reads me to sleep. I really adore the closeness and security it gives me.
Nurturing these kinds of simple joys can play quite a significant role in building very strong – and binding – rituals in a relationship.
Oddly enough, although I write erotca I’ve never read it aloud at anyone. I’ll have to add that to my To-Do list.
Seems reading out loud to your partner is one of those less spoken about activities that many of us indulge in. Since It’s one that seems to have a lot of different functions in relationships I’d sure love to hear other people’s experiences around this activity.


A Little fun with photo editing. Happy HNT!!