March 2009 – Bonk

Thanks once again to everyone who came out last night for our discussion. While T.C. Boyle explored the concept of “free love” in Drop City, Mary Roach takes a much more clinical look at the act of sex in next month’s selection, Bonk. Here’s a starred review from Kirkus Reviews:

One of the funniest and most madcap of science writers, the author has approached sticky subjects to hilarious effect in her two previous books. … Her latest is no less captivating or entertaining, as she flings wide the closed doors behind which the scientific study of coitus has traditionally been conducted. Roach details the careers of sex researchers Alfred Kinsey, William Masters and Virginia Johnson, Marie Bonaparte (Napoleon’s great-grand-niece) and porn-star-turned-Ph.D. Annie Sprinkle, among others. Such researchers “to this day, endure ignorance, closed minds, righteousness, and prudery,” she writes. “Their lives are not easy. But their cocktail parties are the best.” Emulating her subjects’ daring spirit, Roach displays a firm belief that there is no question too goofy to ask—or, barring that, to Google. What happens when you implant a monkey testicle in a man: Does he get more vital, or does he get an infection? She explores centuries of research into such questions as how penile implants work (a pump could be involved); whether surgically relocating the clitoris can lead to better sex (no); why the human penis is shaped as it is (to scoop out competitors’ sperm); and what exactly is going on when it enters a vagina (shockingly, there is still much to learn). Apart from its considerable comic value, the book also emulates its predecessors by illustrating a precept of scientific research: The passion to know, in the face of censure and propriety, is what advances our understanding of the world. A lively, hilarious and informative look at science’s dirty secrets.

Once again we hope to see new and old faces at our next discussion on Tuesday, March 24 at 8pm at Molly Malone’s (The Snug) in Forest Park. If you need a copy of Bonk, please stop by the Oak Park Public Library’s Main Library second floor Adult and Teen Services desk with your OPPL library card to grab one.

Hop on Pop: A Pop Culture Trivia Competition

photo by howieluvzus

Calling all Pop Culture Scholars: Do you know Entertainment Weekly like the back of your hand? Do your friends run to you for Oscar predictions? Can you assemble a team of 2 or 3 to vie for your chance at prizes and glory? Then this is your chance to prove that all of those hours reading gossip blogs finally paid off.

Join us on Saturday, March 14th at 7:00 pm for Hop on Pop: A Pop Culture Trivia Night sponsored by the Oak Park Public Library. Teams from all over Chicagoland can compete for their chance to show off their pop culture scholarship and win gift certificates and other prizes.

If you’d like to play:

Come to the Oak Park Public Library’s Main Library at 7 pm on Saturday, March 14th. The quiz begins promptly at 7:30 pm so be on time or lose valuable points.

Be a part of a 2-3 person team. Come in with your team intact, or come by yourself and join one when you get here.

This is a team event, so don’t worry about being put on the spot individually. You can expect a multimedia quiz with questions on books, movies, music, television, and cultural events from the 80s to 2009.

First place is a gift certificate for $75, second place is $50, and third place is $25. There will also be some covert surprises along the way so prepare your creativity.

We’re serving refreshments. Yum.

Keep watching the genre X blog for more details on this event. See you there, SmartyPants!

Books are Bringing SexyBack

photo courtesy of C-Trick

As it turns out, Mr. JT isn’t the only one who knows where its at. From Anais Nin to Zane, books have been bringing sexyback for centuries. And now you too can star in your very own romance novel. Simply fill out a couple facts about yourself (and the target of your affection) and for just under $40 UStar Novels will send you your very own personalized erotic tale!

If you’re not quite ready to write yourself into fictional steamy scenarios, you may want to get a head start on next month’s genre X selection, Bonk: The Curious Couple of Science and Sex by Mary Roach. Its our attempt to bring sexyback, genre X style.

Use Your Imagination

photo by ppld

A recent study from Washington University confirms just what Big Bird has been telling you all these years: reading makes you smarter. The study explores the relationship between reading and learning new skills. It turns out that reading about physical action stimulates the brain in the same way that actually ‘doing’ those actions does.

The study suggests that using your imagination stimulates the brain in a way that actually makes you better at some activities – whether that’s performance in a sport or proficiency at some outdoor activity.

So next time your Grandma tells you to put that book away and go play outside, let her know that you’re preparing to be the next Michael Phelps. In your mind.

Link: Current.com

T.C. Boyle Event

If you’re enjoying February’s selection as much as I am, you may want to head out to Unity Temple in Oak Park on Monday, February 16 at 7 pm to listen to T.C. Boyle read and discuss his latest book, The Women. The Women is a fictional biography about Frank Lloyd Wright and the many women in his life. Boyle will be signing books and refreshments will be served following his talk. This event is free and co-sponsored by the Oak Park Public Library.