The world has got its knickers in a twist (in every sense) over E.L James’ super-smash hit 50 Shades of Grey. Love it or hate it, the story of one woman’s kinky adventure has set chins wagging about the nature of our sexuality and our freedom to express it. The previously obscure world of BDSM has been glamorously stuffed in a suave, grey-suited, devilishly good-looking package and has rocketed into mainstream fiction.  Now the star of the series, Christian Grey, has a firm place in women’s line up of dashing literary heartthrobs, sharing the accolade with the likes of Mr Darcy, Heathcliff and Mr Rochester. 50 Shades may not scoop up literary prizes (and I’m sure E.L James’ inner-goddess is too happy rolling in piles of dosh to notice), but more vitally, it has reclaimed a lost territory for women: female-friendly porn.

It is very seldom that an erotic novel finds itself in the number one hot spot: 50 Shades of Grey has been named the fastest selling adult novel of all time, even beating J K Rowling and Dan Brown. Readers worldwide are breathlessly clutching the saucy trilogy to their bosoms as sales continue to soar. So what is the explanation for this rather hot and steamy season? “The world is having a kinky moment,” declares Brenda Knight, associate publisher of Cleis Press, in Time magazine. The erotic genre is set to explode this year. Publishers take note, for at long last: sex sells!

Now it’s time to crank open Turnaround’s kinky treasure trove. Here is a sample of fiction and non-fiction on a theme of 50 Shades:

A young woman finds herself careering through a very kinky sexual adventure with a man who has a penchant for irony, self-analysis and anal sex.  Set in San Francisco and the Napa Valley, Carrie’s Story enters a world of slave auctions, training regimes and human ponies preening for dressage competitions. Molly Weatherfield’s erotic classic is 50 Shades older sister – bolder, sexier and deliciously debauched.

21^stCentury Kinkycrafts 

In the era of economic depression, people are finding ingenious ways to have fun and frolics on a tight budget. 21st Century Kinkycrafts is full of easy and inexpensive how-to projects for accessorising a DIY dungeon. With an eager resourcefulness, Kinkycrafts can transform a soup can and a sock into a no-frills, but plenty of thrills, sex toy that does what it says on the tin (!). This compendium of beloved basic build-them-yourself SM toys includes the thousand tail flogger, bondage belts, paddles, nipple jewellery and much, much more. For the more experienced craftsman, Kinkycrafts fully outlines how to construct your own suspension harness and spanking horse.

A must-have addition to any 50 Shades fan’s bookshelf is this naughty anthology of short stories edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. For those (and there are many) who like to be tied up, spanked, blindfolded or ‘used’ for another’s pleasure, Bussel’s collection of stories exploring the world of submission and domination are a source of constant inspiration. Each of the 22 blazingly hot stories illuminates a different aspect of submission, from personal space to culinary choices…

Now for a serious lesson in all things kink. 50 Shades may have sparked a number of exciting ideas to bring into the bedroom, but really, what are the practicalities of handcuffing your lover to the ceiling? How to be Kinkier is here to rescue ambitious readers from a series of sexual mishaps. Seasoned sexpert Morpheous takes readers through the basics of BDSM through clear instructions and full-colour photography. Suitable for nervous newbies and pros alike, it offers the reader inspiration and ideas for spicing up their sex life.

The Loving Dominant has taught more than 40,000 people the fundamentals of safe, healthy, affectionate dominance and submission. Originally published in 1994, this fully updated edition is updated for a whole new generation of players, providing an accessible introduction to S&M. In addition to the wisdom, balance and hot ideas contained in the original, is new information on finding a partner, playing with electricity, watersports, polyamorous play and photography in the digital age.