One Hundred Strokes of the Brush Before Bed

There are many typical teenager books on the market but frankly speaking, they are more childish than teenager. (Not that teens aren't childish in a way). There are the scandal books everyone wants to read. And then there is Melissa Panarello, aka Melissa P., author of One Hundred Strokes of the Brush Before Bed, that is a teenager scandal novel. This is the book that is closer to 15-18 year-old girls than, for example Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries. Naive? Yes, of course. Authentic? It was based upon her diary, it is about her sexual life. Erotic? Oh well, it's somewhere between erotic and pornographic but is thought-provoking and surprising. She speaks about penetration the way other writers would say 'and then, I woke up and went to the bathroom...' - naturally, easily, without shame.
And why should she be ashamed of anything?

I recommend it to everyone who wants to know what is in the head of a naive, looking-for-love teenage girl who happens to experience sex with numerous men - and one woman. No taboos, no shyness, she is as honest as people are with their diaries, yet sometimes sad and everyone of us will find something in her that reminds us to ourselves.
There is also a film, Melissa P. but it is not backed by the author because it's not accurately related to her novel. Because of this, I think it's better to read the book - films can hardly give back the thoughts, especially not with this piece where they have a huge part in the esssence of the story.
(Original title: 100 colpi di spazzola prima di andare a dormire)