Throughout history, books have been the driving force for cultural revolutions, genius inventors and artists. Anyone with even a casual love of reading knows there’s nothing more satisfying than getting lost in a good book which provides inspiration and insight to our ‘Real World’ problems. This list brings together ten of the sexiest books in literary history and a tip on what you could learn from each one to help improve your sex life today.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey

When ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ was published, it burned its way to the top of the bestseller list and shed light on just how much women love a good bit of erotica. Romance books written for women are notorious for their over the top sex scenes, but not in the same way Fifty Shades is. This book made headlines not because of its graphic portrayal of sex, but because of the kind of sex portrayed between those sleek covers. The entire Fifty Shades series focuses on the world of bondage and submission, better known as BDSM. If you spot this book – or the series – on your girlfriend’s shelf, it’s a good bet that she’d love to get a little rough between the sheets. Pick up on the clue and surprise her with a night of sexy submission, erotic orders and the chance to explore this side of her sexuality.

2. Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Originally published in 1927, Lady Chatterley’s Lover has become one of the most well-known pieces of literary erotica in the world. Surprisingly, though, the themes explored in this book which caused such controversy when it was published didn’t focus on the sex act itself. Instead, the focus was on the cultural and class difference between Constance Chatterley and the gamekeeper Oliver, with whom she has an affair. Lady Chatterley is all about love being expressed physically instead of only intellectually or emotionally. Book into a seedy motel for a night and institute a no-talking rule. Let yourselves explore each other’s bodies without complicating things by talking about it. Focus on the physical and tap into those primal urges.

3. Bad Behaviour

On the other end of the spectrum from the purely physical approach is Mary Gaitskill’s novel Bad Behaviour. This collection of stories features a variety of sexual situations, some sexy, some a little strange. One stand out story is Secretary which went on to provide the inspiration for the 2002 movie of the same name. This kind of collection shows your lady is interested in many aspects of sex, even if they are a bit unsavory. Use the stories in this book to encourage each other to share your own sexual fantasies and make it a night to remember.

4. Psychopathia Sexualis: eine Klinisch-Forensische Studie (Sexual Psychopathy: A Clinical-Forensic Study)

Not exactly the sexiest title on this list, but that was exactly what the author wanted. This Victorian classic is a collection of case studies dealing with every sexual fetish you can imagine. The collection touches on some fetishes and preferences which are now seen as essentially harmless, including masturbation, polyamory and bisexuality. It also touches on serious sexual deviances including necrophilia and violence. So what earns this a place on this list? The variety and context of the book. Published at the height of the Victorian era, not even its clinical title could keep this book from becoming the Must Read of the year. The juxtaposition of the prudish Victorian devouring this book provides a sexy image.

5. Fetish Sex: An Erotic Guide For Couples Book

This list simply wouldn’t be complete without a title written with the intention of being shared. Fetish Sex brings together a comprehensive overview of all sorts of kinky you can have laid out with amazing photography and well written overviews. Take this book to bed for some fun but don’t plan on getting much sleep.