Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys is a collection of essays, stories and poems by people who work or have previously worked in the sex industry. Unlike similar books, this one stands out by portraying the full spectrum of experiences: from the 'happy hooker' who feel empowered by her work, to the child fleeing sexual abuse from her father who finds herself forced into a life of prostitution at the cruel hands of a pimp. Representatives from just about every aspect of sex work are represented here, from phone entertainers to street hustlers to highly paid escorts.

Not all of the pieces focus on the work itself; one of the most moving is one woman's account of her mother's rejection when she reveals that she has been stripping. This book is a good place to start for the reader curious about what it is like working in the sex industry as it shows the good and bad but is always honest.

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As the title implies, Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys: Professionals writing on Life, Love, Money, and Sex this is a diverse anthology with contributions from individuals who have been paid for sexual services. Both their life stories and writing styles diverge greatly, ranging from PhDs to abused children, and from poems to interviews to autobiographical short stories. Since each piece is self contained, it's very easy to pick up and put down; unfortunately I didn't miss the volume when I left it at home during a seven week trip. I suggest reading each piece before the editorial introductions—which uniformly heap praise and explain how the editor, David Henry Sterry, knows the contributor—to avoid elevated expectations. I really wanted to like this anthology more, especially since it shows the range of experiences of those involved in the sex trade and had a cathartic function for some of the writers.

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