Mary Roach Reading Order
8 series · 30 books · Born 1959-03-20
Mary Roach is an American author known for combining rigorous research with infectious humor to explore unexpected corners of science and human behavior. Her witty investigations span topics from space travel to digestion, making complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining to general readers. With numerous bestselling books and decades of humor writing across magazines and anthologies, Roach has established herself as a master of turning curiosity into compelling narrative nonfiction.
Anthologies Series
Complete2 books (2009–2015)
Start with Best Sex Writing 2009 and read in order.
Start this series with Best Sex Writing 2009
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Best Sex Writing 2009 |
| 2 |  Days Like This |
Best American Science and Nature Writing Series
Likely Complete12 books (2010–2021)
Start with The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2010(By: Tim Folger,Freeman Dyson), the first of 12 books in the Best American Science and Nature Writing series.
Start this series with The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2010(By: Tim Folger,Freeman Dyson)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2010(By: Tim Folger,Freeman Dyson) |
| 2 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2011 |
| 3 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2012(By: Tim Folger,Dan Ariely) |
| 4 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2013(By: Tim Folger,Siddhartha Mukherjee) |
| 5 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2014(By: Tim Folger,Deborah Blum) |
| 6 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2015(By: Rebecca Skloot) |
| 7 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2016(By: Tim Folger,Amy Stewart) |
| 8 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2017(By: Tim Folger,Hope Jahren) |
| 9 | The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2018(By: Tim Folger,Sam Kean) |
| 10 | The Best American Science And Nature Writing 2019(By: Sy Montgomery,Jaime Green) |
| 11 | The Best American Science And Nature Writing 2020(By: Michio Kaku,Jaime Green) |
| 12 | The Best American Science And Nature Writing 2021(By: Ed Yong,Jaime Green) |
Best Sex Writing Series
Complete6 books (2005–2015)
Start with Best Sex Writing 2005(By: Violet Blue), the first of 6 books in the Best Sex Writing series.
Start this series with Best Sex Writing 2005(By: Violet Blue)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Best Sex Writing 2005(By: Violet Blue) |
| 2 | Best Sex Writing 2008(By: Rachel Kramer Bussel) |
| 3 | Best Sex Writing 2010(By: Kirk Read) |
| 4 | Best Sex Writing 2012(By: Adrian Colesberry) |
| 5 | Best Sex Writing 2013(By: Carol Queen) |
| 6 | Best Sex Writing of the Year(By: Jon Pressick,Belle Knox,Laura MarÃa AgustÃn) |
Mary Roach Humor Series
Likely Complete2 books (2013–2021)
Start with My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places and read in order.
Start this series with My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places |
| 2 |  Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law / Animal Vegetable Criminal |
Mary Roach Medical Series
Complete1 book (2003–2003)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers |
Mary Roach Scientific Research Series
Likely Complete5 books (2008–2022)
Start with Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, the first of 5 books in the Mary Roach Scientific Research series.
Start this series with Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex |
| 2 |  Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void |
| 3 |  Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal |
| 4 |  Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War |
| 5 |  Packing for Mars for Kids |
Mary Roach Supernatural Research Series
Complete1 book (2005–2005)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife / Six Feet Over |
Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2025–2025)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Mary Roach written?
- Mary Roach has written 30 books across 8 series. Their published works span from 2003 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Mary Roach series?
- Here are the first books in Mary Roach's series: Anthologies: Best Sex Writing 2009; Best American Science and Nature Writing: The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2010(By: Tim Folger,Freeman Dyson); Best Sex Writing: Best Sex Writing 2005(By: Violet Blue); Mary Roach Humor: My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places; Mary Roach Scientific Research: Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex.
- What order should I read Mary Roach's books?
- We recommend reading Mary Roach's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are Mary Roach's series complete?
- Mary Roach has 5 completed series.