READERS

28 Nov 2012

Book Review: The Submissive Activity Book


By lunaKM on March 3, 2010


In January I had a poll in the sidebar asking readers like you what books you’d like to see me review for Submissive Guide. The overwhelming response was that you wanted me to review The Submissive Activity Book: Building Blocks To Better Service by Shannon Reilly. I received the 184 page book without expectations of what I would find within its pages. No one has yet reviewed it on Amazon.

Flipping quickly through its pages it is first and foremost a workbook. There are pages and pages of forms for you to fill out to improve and learn the skills she puts forth in the book. According to Shannon the book was written for submissives not currently engaged in a D/s relationship that are looking to establish a structure in their lives that a Dominant normally would do. It is built to help the submissive learn and improve skills that a potential Dominant might desire.

The book is broken up into sections with activities towards different goals. From establishing a personal protocol with rewards and punishments, goal-setting, schedule making and planning, learning new skills and furthering education as well as budgeting and learning personal finance. The book’s second half has helpers for the submissive in understanding their wants and needs, how to negotiate and establishing limits.

Before each activity form there is a summary of what the activity is supposed to do for you and how it might help you grow. They are well thought out, but leave a lot to self exploration. The number of copies of each workbook activity are sometimes excessive in my opinion and the author encourages the purchase of her companion book to get more blank copies of the forms. In today’s technology age, I would have rather had one copy of each activity page; I can always make copies if necessary. I don’t think the companion book is really needed at all.

My favourite activity section is the personal protocol. Shannon describes this section as a way to feel accountable for your actions even if you aren’t in a relationship. She walks you through behaviours you would want to encourage and discourage as well as a punishment and reward system that you manage yourself to keep your new behaviours in check.  For those submissives with a real desire to control and change their lives this is a valuable section.

I dislike the wasted pages that are used for a calendar. While I can understand that the section is about planning and scheduling, I would rather encourage the submissive to get a schedule book that is small enough to carry around with them in their handbag or shoulder bag.  This way the activity wouldn’t involve either carrying the book everywhere or tearing out the pages. Again this would be a good place to encourage them to make copies of the pages they desire to use instead of giving them an entire year’s worth of calendar pages.

Honestly though, this book is very much in keeping with the purpose of this website and I’d recommend it for those of you who want to experience structure and start working towards your perfect self without a Dominant. You will then be able to enter into a relationship with more preparedness and your personal value may be higher.


The Submissive Activity Book

Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (February 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440470499
ISBN-13: 978-1440470493

27 Nov 2012

Book Review: Where I Am Led: A Service Exploration Workbook


By lunaKM on May 30, 2012 

 I’ve been hanging on to a fantastic book for review for over a year now because according to all book sellers it is out of print. I would hate to give a review, especially the glowing review this book gets from me, and then you not able to buy it yourself. But, luckily, I found a second edition that is in print! It doesn’t have the same title which is why it took me so long to connect the two, but when I did I was thrilled and you will be too.

The book I’m talking about is “The Path of Service – Guideposts for Excellence” by Christina “slavette” Parker. It has been out of print for years and if you go to the Amazon.com page for this book you can buy a used copy for over $200 right now. But don’t do that. I have a much better solution.

Buy the 2nd edition. Trust me on this, it is well worth it.

Where I am Led: A Service Exploration Workbook is the 2nd edition of the aforementioned book. On the Amazon page it says it’s the 2nd edition of the book that I coveted for a year but I didn’t know until I opened it up and read the introduction to the book. I about squealed with joy. I could now share with you a book that has value to my submission and I knew that it would help you as well.

It is a workbook, and it written in a way that you have space to write in your thoughts to the tasks, questions and projects that you find throughout the book. I’ve reviewed a workbook in the past, but this one is definitely more useful in the organization, inspiration and personal growth potential. Here’s what it has in store for you.

Monthly ProjectsWeekly Writing AssignmentsTwice Weekly Prompts and QuotesThoughts and General Advice

It’s organized quite well and I haven’t found a single page that isn’t worth my time and energy to think about.  You definitely want to read the “How to Use this Book” section at the beginning because it has useful tips for how to get started and to use the book successfully. You can do this book alone or with your Dominant. I even know of several submissives that are working through the book together.

If you only do one thing that I ask from you on this site, please do yourself a favor and buy this book. Where I am Led is an excellent personal growth tool for the submissive arsenal.
Product Details


Where I Am Led: A Service Exploration Workbook
Paperback: 190 pages
Publisher: Alfred Press (October 7, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0578035952
ISBN-13: 978-0578035956

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