I’ve said before that I’m pretty much fascinated by all things Playboy. I don’t have a problem with nudity as art, or even nudity as erotica (in fact, I think I have more of a problem with modesty). I’m forever frustrated with the United States’ puritanical outlook about sex and the body, especially when, as a culture, we have no issue condoning violence. For instance, an action movie full of shooting, blood, maiming, exploding, etc. will almost always get an “R” rating, but anything with sex runs the risk of the death-kiss NC17. This teaches our children that killing and fighting are acceptable, but sex and nudity are shameful and bad. Grrr. Now, I’m not promoting rampant sex in public, or exposing young children to porn, but I just think there is something twisted about the way we perceive sex and the body.

ANYWAY, to that end, I have no problem with institutions like Playboy, which make money off of nude women. I’m not in favor of women being objectified, but if people want to pay to look at us naked, I’m cool with that. It’s empowering in a way, which is why I don’t mind going to strip clubs or Hooter’s (which is where my mother-in-law always take me. How funny is that? She’s great.) So, when my friend pointed out The Bunny Book: How to Walk, Talk, and Please Like a Playboy Bunny at a nearby bookstore, I just had to buy it. Written by three former playmates, it’s carried in the Sex section (sexion?), which I think is just a further example of the public perception of Playboy, since this book isn’t necessarily a sex book. Sure, it has sex info in it, but it’s primarily about how to cultivate a bunny persona: the importance of good bras, staying in shape, spa treatments, sexy shoes, butt-boosting jeans, Rogaine and more. Honestly, a lot of it is more like the stuff you read in Cosmopolitan than anything you would actually read in Playboy itself.

That said, the last three chapters are called Tease, Please, and Love, and they are a little raunchy. It’s geared toward single girls and how to attract and please a man, but it also has important information about birth control, sex positions, and how to take a good “naughty” photo. It’s actually a very entertaining little read, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Playboy culture or who is curious about what it takes to be a Bunny.