Dubuque Virtual Book Club discussion

Our Let's Talk Books book discussion group will meet in person on Tuesday, July 14th at 7 p.m. in the 1st floor program room. Can't make the in person discussion? Share your thoughts here!

Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach
When Mary Roach takes up a subject her dogged research, insatiable curiosity, and keen wit ensure an enlightening and entertaining book. Mary Roach’s engaging science writing brings out the humor of even the darkest topics. She translates complex scientific concepts for the average reader while including a wealth of thoughtful detail. In Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, she continues to explore the weirder corners of science with an up close look at the digestive tract.

Copies of Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal are available at the Check Out Desk on the first floor. We'd love to hear what your thoughts on Mary Roach's other books, as well as any other recommendations you might have for scientific non-fiction books!

Hi folks,

Here are a few discussion questions to get you started:

1. Did you read Gulp in its entirety? Were there topics Roach investigated that you thought beyond the bounds of good taste, or too gross?

2. Has this book changed your perspective on how your body works? Has it made you more curious or less inclined to investigate digestion?

3.. What was the most surprising thing you learned from Gulp?

4. Did you find the footnotes informative, enjoyable, or distracting?

5. Did you enjoy the author's writing style?

6. Have you read anything else by Mary Roach?

I haven't read any of her science writing yet (though everyone keeps raving about it!), but I did read My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places. It was a collection of short essays she wrote primarily for Reader's Digest. Some of her essays were hilarious, but it was a bit hit and miss as a collection.

We held the in-library book discussion on Gulp last night.

Of the 11 people present only 6 of them read the book in its entirety.

Many of us found at least one or two chapters distasteful (ha!). For me, it was the one that talked about meal worms and things burrowing out of stomachs. Some found the chapter on prison smuggling too difficult to read.

We all agreed the footnotes were some of the best parts of the book, funny and informative.

Only 3 people had read another book by Mary Roach (Stiff) but 3 said they had a hold on Stiff.

Nobody said the book made them more curious about digestion, but one person did say it answered some questions.

Everyone who finished the book said the chapter on Elvis was their favorite.