Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

So occasionally I like a good science fiction novel. Particularly when the reviews come in as being the Douglas Adams of our generation (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fame). Now I had put two books on hold at the same time. One was a non-fiction book that Brad was interested in and the other was such a book as described above. So when Packing for Mars came in I mistook is for a funny sci-fi book that I had ordered, when in fact it was the book for Brad- and am I ever happy to have made this mistake.

I got about 10 pages in and thought, gee this doesn’t read like a novel. I looked at its call number and behold! It’s non-fiction! So having been already hooked by a hilarious intro involving monkeys and sex, I decided to make a go of it. And I will forever love Mary Roach as a result. First, she’s a woman. Second, her books are all science based. Third- they are absolutely hilarious and informative all at once.

This specific book is her newest and latest and is about science exploration. B O R I N G in my world. Never would I pick up a book where the prime location of most of its content takes place in a NASA lab or space shuttle. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But this book was insightful, didn’t make many assumptions of its audience in the way of knowledge or vocabulary, and informed me that sex in space is a very serious topic!

Nearing the end there are a couple of chapters I breezed over because they did get a little “sciencey” on me, but when Brad was home on weekends we fought over who got to read it until I was done. In fact, I never read the last chapter because he took it to Regina and returned it in Regina and I never got it back! Hrmph!

Anyway, so if you’re looking for something a little different I highly recommend Ms. Roach. I have also read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and found it just as funny and informative. Who knew!

I know this review doesn’t go into the specifics of the book but I can’t do it justice explaining what this book is about. If I told you it covered the intricacies of relationships on the international space station, covered the history of launching monkeys into space,and science experiments on gravitational pull, I would worry it will start to sound boring. But know that there is dead bodies, sex and alcohol, as well as swearing and university student shenanigans throughout the book- and its all true! So just go read it, and trust me. Its funny. Even my hubby gives it 2 thumbs up.