This collection of essays about the media's views on virginity covers the spectrum. From Hollywood's portrayal in popular movies and tv shows, including Twilight, to essays on gender, this book covers the spectrum.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

The premise for this collection was immediately interesting to me. I found I enjoyed certain chapters/authors more than others, but out of my own interest-bias rather than due to the quality of the writing and research. The editors did a great job of representing various viewpoints and themes surrounding virginity as both a cultural construct and physical/mental state.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter about the character of Jessica from True Blood - even though I've never seen the show, or know anything about it beyond what I read in that piece! It made me want to watch the show, based entirely on the author's discussion surround the pure / the monstrous ... which probably do more credit to that subject than the show itself.

I finished this book wanting to read more. More in-depth discussion about the themes I was interested in (the reference sections not withstanding as a great source!) and even a longer discussion from the authors themselves. In short, I found the book too short! As an introduction to a group of subjects it was very good, and piqued my interest, but I finished this book in a day and felt that the subject matter could have done with more! Perhaps more than one essay that covered a subject? I would have loved to read a few pieces by different authors, even different viewpoints, on the Bollywood portrayals of virginity for example!