Saturday Read: Bonk by Mary Roach

By Alex

I love science. Figuring out how things work, studying anatomy, mixing chemicals; I love it all! So naturally, I dabble in the Science Non-Fiction section at my local bookstore. I know what you’re thinking: books about science are written by hundred- year- old men with big, scraggly beards who use big confusing words and even more confusing concepts. But that’s where you’re wrong!

Sure, you can find those kind of books if that’s your thing (for those who love science a little too much…), but there are also some really interesting ones written in totally understandable English. And guess what? They’re interesting and funny!

Mary Roach introduced me to the world of enjoyable science reading with her book about human cadavers, Stiff. I’m sure some of you shuddered at the word “cadaver,” but if you can handle it, this book is FANTASTIC! That lead me to Roach’s second book Spook, which is about the paranormal and a lot less gory. I loved both, so when I heard Mary Roach had a new book coming out this past summer, I was over the moon! And she didn’t let me down.

Written with her usual smart wit, Mary Roach creates a fun and interesting look at the scientific side of sex with her latest book, Bonk.

Topics range from Kinsey’s experiments (so interesting and this book only made me want to research them more) to the biological function of the female orgasm to even sex toys, without ever making you feel awkward or talked down to as a reader. She is able to take both serious and funny topics and turn them into interesting, informative chapters. And her research is meticulous. The woman covers her bases, especially when it comes to the studies she checks out. Heck, she and her husband even partake in the horizontal mambo for one!

Mary Roach has a rare gift: she is able to take scientific topics with the potential to be horribly boring and create fun, enjoyable, yet educational reads. As I said, she is the reason I venture to the science section. Roach is like that one teacher in high school who paid attention to you and showed you that you could survive your most hated subject and even grow to love it. She has truly found her calling as a writer and I cannot wait for her next book.