Desire: The Workbook

Desire—and the problems we encounter with it—shapes every part of our lives.

It shows up in the restlessness of a life that feels empty. In the distance between you and your partner. In the sex that feels pressured or unfulfilling. Left unexamined, desire turns into frustration, disconnection, and exhaustion.

This workbook is where you begin to transform your relationship to desire and, in the process, learn to reconnect with yourself and the people closest to you.

Building on his book Desire, therapist and researcher Jay Stringer guides you through a journey to uncover the stories that have shaped you, disrupt the patterns that keep you stuck, and cultivate the intimacy and meaning you long for.

Through prompts, exercises, and reflections, you’ll engage the five desires at the core of your story—grounded in findings from an original study of more than 4,000 people:

1. Wholeness – knowing your childhood story and tending to its heartache
2. Growth – developing hospitality and resilience in the face of difficulty
3. Intimacy – learning how to love and be loved
4. Pleasure – experiencing the revelation, provocation, and healing of sex
5. Purpose – cultivating a compelling and meaningful life

Desire: The Workbook is designed to profoundly deepen your relationship to desire—showing you how conflict and disappointment can become the very ground where intimacy and hope grow.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs