Impressionist art from one of the masters of all time has a really intriguing back story. Susie looks at the life of Edgar Degas and how his sexuality informed his famous ballet dancer paintings. Degas captures their grace and discipline, but a new book reveals the dancers real lives and how Degas captured their beauty and hid their pain. Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection by Deirdre Kelly inspired Susie to think about Degas' own erotic identity. He was a masochist, femme and repressed. He understood the dancers, many of whom were at that time involved with the brothels as well as the theater.

Next, Susie previews a new, sexy audiobook from Audible that's not to be missed: Lucking Out: My Life Getting Down and Semi-Dirty in the Seventies by James Wolcott. This memoir from Vanity Fair's cultural critic focuses on his time in New York City in the 1970s, when punk and porno were all the rage. Susie loves Wolcott's writing and says this book is a rollicking trip through all the indulgences of an era that liked "gold medallions and furry testicles". Susie has an audio excerpt for us to hear. The book is narrated by Jeff Woodman.

Have a question? You can call Susie's hotline at 831-480-5110. And you can send your confidential questions - plus requests for free samples and blog banners! - to susie@susiebright.com [Episode 582, August 16, 2013]

Explicit Language Warning: You must be 18 years or older to purchase this program.