The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion

Hi everyone, our October book is Stiff by Mary Roach.

I have it on request at the library; in the meantime , they had her other book, "Bonk" about sex and the hsitory of sex research (back in the 1800's!) and it is facinating, interesting, incredible and mostly, well-written and hilarious.

I just signed up for this group and as soon as I did I requested Stiff by Mary Roach from my library. This group is probably the best group I've ever seen - good job!

SO weird that Stiff is the next on my "to read" shelf!

Why is that so, Laurie?

Argh, I didn't see this before and I just finished reading Bonk tonight and loved her writing so much that I was planning to check if my library had Stiff tomorrow! Kind of perfect timing.

I have my own copy. I will be starting it as soon as I finish Lola and the Boy Next Door.

I've read this book twice already and it's marvelous. I love Roach's humor and the book is quite illuminating about death, especially for those who are contemplating donating their body to science after death.

I'm a little over 100 pages in now, and I like it for the most part but I'm not finding it as "laugh out loud funny" as I was expecting based on the reviews I've read. I would describe it to be more witty than funny, which I consider two different things.

I actually think the footnotes are the best parts of the book so far. They have the most interesting details and stories.

Ok, I've finished reading it. I really liked how the author presented the information about cadavers and telling us on how she researched it. I also agree with Kayla how the footnotes were really one of the best parts of the book. I usually don't like non-fiction because of how usually it's just facts and no personality. Mary gave some of that. I had fun sharing some facts with my husband. I also liked how she thanks everyone at the end, even the cadavers.
(view spoiler)[ What did everyone think of that honey process? o.O (hide spoiler)]
For me, if I was brain dead, I wouldn't mind sharing my organs. (view spoiler)[ Although it's interesting when people thought they were just acting different because of the donors, when really it's all inside their head. (hide spoiler)] I think I might have to think about the other options she has presented. Has this book changed how you may use your body after you die, or would you just let your family decide?

I actually liked this book a lot - I've always hoped to donate organs (if they're viable) and then be cremated myself (rotting away in the ground seemed a bit useless, clearly I'm not a very sentimental person), but now I wish that the composting was more mainstream! My neighborhood banned composting a pet chicken's poop (horrors!), can you imagine if they found out a PERSON was composted?! bwahahah.

I agree with others that the footnotes were the some of best part. Mary Roach writes in a similar way to how I think - a little in all directions - how one small detail can spirals off into another completely different direction. I do find it very interesting that she won't donate herself to science if she happens to die before her husband.