Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex in 100+ Books in 2025

Sep 11, 2013 Nola Tillman rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction-science, nonfiction-humor

I don't know whether to recommend this book or not. It may change your sex life...you may find yourself knowing more than you wanted to. On the other hand, you'll almost definitely find yourself knowing more than you did before. Neither of those are necessarily in a "make you a tiger in bed" sort of way BUT the information is interesting. I suppose what it comes down to is how much nitty gritty did you want to know about something that most people tend to keep behind closed doors? Did you want t I don't know whether to recommend this book or not. It may change your sex life...you may find yourself knowing more than you wanted to. On the other hand, you'll almost definitely find yourself knowing more than you did before. Neither of those are necessarily in a "make you a tiger in bed" sort of way BUT the information is interesting. I suppose what it comes down to is how much nitty gritty did you want to know about something that most people tend to keep behind closed doors? Did you want to hear what scientists have done to search out the elusive cause of orgasms? Learn about how your pain and focus contract during sex? Know exactly what muscles you're using?

I know a number of my Goodreads friends are very straight-laced Christians, so let me assure you that if you are interested in the science behind the sex, this makes for a good read, though it will also occasionally make you cringe. The author wrote it with an eye towards making sure her teenage stepdaughter would not feel embarrassed--at least, as unembarrassed as you can feel when a parental figure writes about sex. In a lab. With your dad. But the descriptions are not smutty-lurid but scientific; in the case of some studies, the author bemoans, almost too clinical. It's interesting, too, to review how the perspective of science towards sex has changed over the years. Not always for the more openminded and detached.

On top of keeping the subject on the up and up, Roach applies her unique brand of humor to the writing. When she and her husband volunteer to participate in one study, for instance, she notes that the doctor offers her husband some pornography to help get things started. (Paraphrasing) 'As if the site of his forty+ year old wife in a hospital gown on a lab table wasn't enough,' she essentially said wryly. Other subjects hit less close to home, such as watching surgeries for erectile disfunction. (again, paraphrasing) 'To preserve modesty, the patient lay on the bed with everything covered except his penis, which drew more attention to his anatomy than he would have if it had been him laying completely naked on the bed.' Except, of course, Roach has a more amusing turn of phrase than my midnight reviews suggest.

And let's not talk about the pigs...or the monkeys....

Roach is a writer who goes the extra mile to do her research. Not content with books and interviews, she volunteers herself and her husband for studies to get an idea of what is going on. The woman had sex on a lab table with her husband while a scientist observed to get the nuts and bolts of the story, talk about dedication.

I'm a huge fan of Mary Roach, and am working my way through her scientific writings. That said, I can frankly say that while I enjoyed this book, Stiff still remains my favorite, while Packing for Mars comes in a close second. If you're looking for just one nonfiction science book to read this year, I would suggest one of those...but if you're looking for three, I'd probably suggest all three of them. ...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Roseann rated it liked it

Shelves: roseann-s-tower-challenge-team-b

I chose this book because I had read Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers and thoroughly enjoyed it; unfortunately, this one was a bit too technical for my taste hence the three-stars. I am looking forward to her new title Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal. ...more

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Jun 14, 2009 Marisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own, non-fiction, science

Have you ever wondered what Pyrex made besides kitchenware? Been curious which country has the highest castration rates? Wondered about mice and what polyester pants do to their sex drive? If so you should read Bonk by Mary Roach. It answers these questions and many more. Including one you probably never would have thought to have come up with. Roach writes about sex research with such humor that it is hard not to laugh out loud about not only the experiences, but some of the things she asks the ...more

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