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Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. I enjoyed Mary Roach’s writing in Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, so I bought Bonk on CD to listen to on long drives. Turns out there’s quite a bit about sex I didn’t know (imagine that). Honestly, you’ll want to experience this work in private — Mary is a fearless reporter, covering her material frankly and in plain English, and much of that material is squirm-inducing. Did you know that Doctor Kinsey, as part of his research, not only masturbated in front of others at the Sex Institute but inserted toothbrushes — brush end first — into his penis while doing it? Ha! Made you squirm, right? |
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When You Are Engulfed in Flames. I love David Sedaris’ readings on National Public Radio and his occasional written pieces in The New Yorker. Naturally, when I saw his latest collection of stories at Barnes & Noble, I had to have it. David writes about, I guess, the essential and enduring shittiness of people, himself included. In doing so he amuses, but more importantly, reconciles you with your own shittiness. No wonder he’s so successful. |
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Too Far from Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space. Merely in terms of insider astronaut/cosmonaut history, gossip, and lore (did you know Tank Girl is the cult film of the American female astronaut corps?), Chris Jones’ book would be a great read, but add the true story of the American-Russian space station crew left stranded in orbit after the Colombia space shuttle burned up on re-entry, and it’s . . . forgive me . . . an out-of-this-world read. |
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Touching History: The Untold Story of the Drama That Unfolded in the Skies Over America on 9/11. An insider’s examination of the aviation side of 9/11/2001: Lynn Spencer’s meticulously researched story of the commercial airline crews, FAA controllers, NORAD commanders and controllers, and military fighter pilots who were actors in the drama that day. Fascinating, even if you don’t know a lot about aviation. Finally, I got to the root of the rumor flying around fighter pilot circles on 9/11, that a USAF F-16 pilot had shot down American Airlines Flight 93 over Pennsylvania. |
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The Turkish Gambit. I’ll offer a single comment on the novels of Russian author Boris Akunin. Both series, the Erast Fandorin stories and the one (so far) Sister Pelagia story, are set in pre-revolutionary Russia. They’re not only great fun — imagine a late 19th Century James Bond or Mrs. Marple — but historically fascinating as well. |
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Master and Commander. As with Boris Akunin, I’ll offer a single review of the late Patrick O’Brian’s twenty Aubrey/Maturin novels. I’ve never read another series of novels so consistently excellent. These sweeping yet personally engaging stories of the British Royal Navy of the early 19th Century are about war, espionage, exploration, politics, treason, science, medicine, great and ordinary men and women, friendship, morality . . . the grand themes of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I’ve read the entire series four times. My Christmas present to myself this year was to replace the few remaining paperbacks in my collection with hardbacks, and once they arrive I’ll start reading the series again, in order. Every time I re-read these books I discover they’re not only as good as I remembered, they’re better. |
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