It’s Complicated: The 5 Best Books On Responsible Non-Monogamy

* These books explore the ups and downs of polyamory
* Get advice and practical communication tips
* Many have of the authors have been in polyamoros relationships themselves

Polyamory is a concept that many people struggle with, and it’s often misunderstood by outsiders who think of it as an excuse to cheat. But thousands of people are in poly-amorous relationships, all the while respecting boundaries, sharing physical and emotional attraction and somehow making it work.

These books and authors explore how you can engage in a loving, ethical poly-amorous relationship without risking what you have.

1. More Than Two: A Practical Guide to Ethical Polyamory

While may view polyamory as a kind of betrayal, authors Franklin Veaux and Eve Rickert explore the idea that you can be in a loving, committed relationship with more than one person. Written in a candid, straightforward way, it’s designed for practical use by couples who are seriously considering or practicing polyamory.

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2. The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love

Rather than viewing polyamory and sexual freedom as something “wrong,” Janet W. Hardy and Dossie Easton explore the ways you can battle common societal views and live your own truth, without hurting the people you care about. This new edition (the third printing of the book) has been updated to include nonbinary gender language and new terms that have come into common usage since the last edition.

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3. Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships

From bestselling author Tristan Taormino comes a book that explores ways that you can make your open relationship work, from creating communications lines to setting boundaries. The key: to have those difficult conversations. Until you open up yourself, you shouldn’t be opening up your relationship.

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4. The Jealousy Workbook: Exercises and Insights for Managing Open Relationships

One of the greatest plagues of open relationships is jealousy. Kathy Labriola is a nurse and counselor who specializes in open relationships, and writes on the insights she’s had over years of working with different couples.

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5. Eight Things I Wish I’d Known About Polyamory Before I Tried It and Frakked It Up

They say experience is the best teacher, and Cunning Minx, a popular podcaster, writes on her experiences and those her many listeners have shared with her to dish out sound advice to those considering polyamory. Let this serve as a warning of what to do — and what NOT to do — if you’re considering a poly-amorous relationship.

Image Courtesy of CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform[/caption]

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