Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books!
Noting that book blogging onften focuses on new releases, here’s how Throwback Thursday works:
- Pick a book released more than 5 years ago.
- Write up a short summary of the book (include the title, author, and cover art) and an explanation of why you love it.
- Link up your post at The Housework Can Wait or Never Too Fond of Books.
- Visit as many blogs as you can, reminisce about books you loved, and discover some “new” books for your TBR list!
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
My original post from 01/20/05:
I don’t remember who recommended this book to me. I have a feeling it was some horror writer some where that mentioned a good book about “what happens when one dies.” This book covers the squishy details of decomposition as well as many other things. Roach handles the subject with a lot of humor, which I appreciate, though some might see her as a tad bit irreverent. Personally, I learned a lot, and Roach was fairly investigative about the subjects presented. I have to give her kudos for debunking some urban legends, something I’ve been thinking about taking up as a hobby myself. Informative and morbidly entertaining. Right up my alley.
Why should you read it today? If you’re a writer of anything that might involves a dead body, this is a good starting resource. It’s not as comprehensive as a book like Death to Dust, but it’s accessible and as humorous as death can be. If you’re a reader, it’s compelling and interesting. Good non-fiction, like good documentary film, should make you interested in a subject you wouldn’t have thought to be interested in. Mary Roach is us, tossing herself into the situation and finding the out the good details things.
Simple Tricks & Nonsense 
Ewwwwww. 😉 But seriously, I can see why this would be a great resource for writers. And you’re totally right about non-fiction – the only kind I can read is the kind that really draws you into the subject, even if it’s something you hadn’t thought you were interested in. My pick this week was also a non-fiction about a subject I don’t normally read about.
I’m late commenting this week, but better late than never! Here’s my Throwback!!