Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

I finished Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach recently. I've read two of her other books, including Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, all about what happens to dead bodies, and Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, basically showing that science shows nothing about the afterlife. I liked Stiff a lot but found Spook to be a little too dry.

Anyway, Packing for Mars made for some very good and interesting light reading. I laughed out loud several times, especially in the chapter about the space chimpanzee. It also answered many (but not all) questions I had always had about personal hygiene and bathroom use in space. It's just as difficult as one would think to manage these bodily functions in a zero gravity environment. It's kind of an "Everything you want to know about space but were afraid to ask" sort of book and even tackles zero G sex.

The book increased my admiration for astronauts and all that they sacrifice in order to do their work. Despite having no real scientific background, there was always a part of me that wanted to be an astronaut (probably too much Star Trek). Anyway, I now have no desire to be an astronaut in the 21st century. Backpacking sounds a lot more fun and a lot better for one's health and personal hygiene.

I read nearly every page, although I do recall getting bored once or twice and skipping ahead a couple of pages. It looks like the Roach book I haven't read is Bonk: The Coupling of Science and Sex, and I have that on my wish list now!