Mary Roach makes the morbid fun. Her quirky, conversational tone makes any subject, however strange - from cadavers to orgasm in paraplegics - a light, enjoyable read. Yet she's never disrespectful of the objects of her scrutiny. Roach's wit is always grounded in scientific study, expert opinion, and acute observation. Unlike the stereotypical scientist, Roach doesn't shy away from her own reactions to what she sees. Her personal involvement with the subject is what makes her writing so honest and intimate, appealing even to those who don't normally read non-fiction. I got a huge kick out of her debut novel, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, and I can't wait to read her newest book, Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Want to get an advance taste of its subject matter and idiosyncratic humor? Watch this preview-esque video, created by Roach's publisher W.W. Norton. Submitted by Audrey @ MPL Central