Bonk by Mary Roach
by Jenners • 12/19/2011 • 4.5 Stars, Audiobook, B Titles, Humor, Non-Fiction, R Authors, Science • 50 Comments
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex written by Mary Roach and read by Sandra BurrPublisher: Brilliance Audio, 2008
Length: 9 hours and 28 minutes
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science
Where I Got It: Audible
Why I Read It: I love Mary Roach … and this is the last book of hers I hadn’t read. Sob.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Book Description
Like all of Roach’s books, Bonk takes a sideways scientific look at a broad topic. (In previous books, she’s tackled cadavers, the afterlife and space travel.) This time out, Roach is exploring “The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex.” With her boundless curiosity, willingness to ask the “hard” questions (pun intended) and trademark snarkiness, Roach is the perfect person to explore sex research … even going so far as to participate in a few experiments herself. From discussing the work of sex researcher pioneers Master and Johnson to visiting a pig insemination farm to observing a degloving surgery (you don’t want to know) to touring a sex toys manufacturing plant, Roach travels the world interviewing and exploring the work of sex researchers past and present.
My Thoughts
I just adore Mary Roach and will follow her anywhere her witty and curious mind takes her. I love her sense of humor and how she isn’t afraid to ask questions that might make others blush. I love how she inserts herself into her books by sharing anecdotes about her experiences while researching the book. More than anything, I love how I learn stuff I never knew while being thoroughly entertained. Whenever someone says “I don’t enjoy non-fiction writing,” I always ask them “Have you read Mary Roach yet?”With sex being such a “taboo” topic, this book might not appeal to everyone. If frank talk about sex, sex organs, orgasms, penises, vaginas and so forth make you uncomfortable, this book is not for you. Although the material isn’t presented in a gratuitous or tasteless manner, it IS a book about sex.And speaking of sex, I don’t think you walk away from this book without thinking long and hard (again, pun intended!) about your own sexual experiences and reactions. To be honest, I felt like a little experimentation was in order after reading the book. (Mr. Jenners cheers!) After all, many women confess to not really being in touch with their clitoris—a critical element in achieving orgasm in women. And I must confess that I may not be as in touch with my clitoris as I could be. (How’s that for too much information?)
About the Narration
Sandra Burr was the perfect narrator for this book. She has a wonderful voice that was easy on the ears and injected the perfect amount of snark and humor to best serve Roach’s writing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book on audio (though I wouldn’t recommend listening to it where others could listen in as I’m sure you’d raise some eyebrows!), and I’d seek out Burr as a narrator of other books. Here’s hoping she narrates Roach’s next book as that would definitely push me to listen to it on audio versus reading it in print form.
Recommended For
Roach fans, readers seeking scientific writing that is leavened with a sense of humor, people interested in learning more about human sexuality and sex research
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If I read this review to Grant (hubby), I’m sure that he’ll tell me to move it to the top of my list. This topic always wakes him up!
It is a popular one with the husbands for some reason. : )
How many people now wonder if STIFF is a sequel to BONK (I guess prequel would be more appropriate!)
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I put this one on hold at the library thanks to your review. Holla! Will let you know how I like it!
Holla! I’ll be curious to see what you think!!!
Yay for another Roach fan! And yay for sexual experimentation and too much information!
I personally think that too much information and Mary Roach go hand in hand!
LOL! Just when I think I share too much on my blog you make me realize I am a lightweight
I need to read Roach. I think I want to start with the one about cadavers, this one may too much for me. BUT if Jason will cheer I might have to take a peek.
I might have done too much sharing this time I think!! This is one of those posts I will probably come to regret in time. I think this would be a good husband/wife read for you! : )
I haven’t ever read Mary Roach. I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one, it sounds interesting. Great review Jenners. I’m sure Mr. Jenners is a happy camper.
Mr. Jenners was more than supportive of my reading this book and helping me “learn more” about myself. Oh Lord.
OH my! I am finally going to read something anything by Mary Roach in 2012! I can’t wait.
I suspect you will think “Why the heck did I wait so long?”
I bought Hubby “Packing for Mars” for Christmas but it was part of the Great Gift-Eating-Dog Massacre of 2011. I think I found all the pages and presented them to Hubs in a pile – so now it’s a book AND a jigsaw puzzle. Hopefully he can recreate it well enough to read because her writing sounds fascinating.
As for you and your relationship with your body parts – I wasted 10 minutes trying to come up with a joke fit to print – no luck. But Hubby offers Mr. Jenners a high five!
Oh no … the Great Gift-Eating-Dog Massacre of 2011 sounds awful!!! But what a great dual gift — a book and a puzzle! Yikes!
And shucks about the joke!! Mr. Jenners high-fives back!
I love listening to Roach’s books. This isn’t my favorite of her’s, but it’s a fun one!
It wasn’t my favorite either but it was fun one.
There is no way I would be offended by this. I think the last time I looked, my library didn’t have any of these audios, but I’m going to look again. And she has just done it all hasn’t she? Sex, dead people, outer space? This really is what non-fiction is all about.
You’d get a kick out of it. And the narrator, Sandra Burr, is perfection! This is a great audio listen. Now if your library would just get on the ball…
This is the next Roach that I want to read, and as all the Roach reads have been joint audio listens with my hubby, you can imagine how excited (pun intended) he is to start this one! I love her style, and love to learn about all the weirdness that she captures in the subjects she chooses. I can’t wait to see what we think of this one!
This would be a great one to listen to with your husband!! Maybe he will pick up some tips!!! : )
Sandra Burr is the narrator on this one — I know you listened to another one by her. She is the perfect fit for Mary Roach. Have fun with your joint listen!
hmmm…what else has she written? I am not sure I am old enough to be reading this one…lol
You crack me up. Perhaps cadavers (Stiff), the afterlife (Spook) or space travel (Packing for Mars) is more your style!
I’ve only read STIFF by this author, but liked it a lot. Here’s another for my list.
Happy Holidays to you and Yours!
She’s really fun, and I think if you like one of her books, you’ll like them all.
Happy Holidays to you!
not an author I’m familiar with and somehow I don’t think this book will be my introduction to her works.A bit of a prude I confess, I get quickly bored by reading about sex.
Well, this isn’t your typical sex stuff, unless you’ve read extensively about pig insemination. HAHA!
I have this book. I really want to read it at some point!
It is such a fun interesting read. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Jenners, great review! I like the fact that this book was written with a sense of humor. That makes a big difference with touchy subjects (pun intended).
It makes a huge difference to have it written with a sense of humor, especially with this topic that is just filled with possibilities!
Sounds quite interesting. Not my cup of tea. But enjoyed your review of it.
I suspect this might be one of those reviews that I later regret writing.
Good review.
I’ve got two Roach books on my Kindle. I started the one about space travel, but found it quite sloppily written. Fascinating though.
I know what you mean … the writing isn’t stellar but I forgive that because she makes her stuff so amusing and interesting.
I have Roach’s Spook, but haven’t read it yet. It sounds like such an intriguing premise, though, and after your raves about her writing, I’m quite looking forward to it.
Her books are so fun. I’m so sad that I’ve read them all now.
Pictured the conversation you had introducing yourself to your clitoris.
Do you now call her “love button”?
She is a go-to kinda gal now, isn’t she?
I don’t even want to know what you imagined. She is much more friendly than previously suspected, but I shall keep our relationship secret from now on I think!
wow, i didn’t come here expecting to learn that about you! lol
A little bit more than you (and others) were expecting, I suspect!
Much sharing there! Do continue to keep us informed!
Perhaps I have the topic of my first vlog! (Insert evil laugh here)
I love Mary Roach, too, and am STILL waiting on my daughter to pass along her copy of this!
Oh I HATE waiting on books from people! I’m waiting for the Steve Jobs book from Mr. Jenners now. He is taking FOREVER to read it.
Sounds good.
It is.
Wow, that is a lot of information sharing. lol I haven’t tried Roach’s writing, but I do like it when author’s insert themselves into non-fiction, so it appeals to me.
Yes … in retrospect, maybe I shared too much (especially since I post my reviews on Amazon too!)