This month we're reading Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach.

Space is a world devoid of the things we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh produce, privacy, beer. How much can a person give up? How much weirdness can they take? What happens to you when you can't walk for a year? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a space walk? Is it possible for the human body to survive a bailout at 4,000 miles per hour? To answer these questions, space agencies set up all manner of quizzical and startlingly bizarre space simulations -- making it possible to preview space without ever leaving Earth. From the space shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA's new space capsule (cadaver filling in for astronaut), Packing for Mars takes us on a surreally entertaining trip into the science of life in space and space on Earth.

We have no theme or topic for what we read. Attendees each nominate a book for next month, and the final selection is made by a poll on our SALA Facebook group.

We will meet to discuss a new book on the 1st Sunday of each month. The person who nominated the winning book hosts at their home or a public location (coffee shop etc.) of their choosing.

This month Julie will be hosting. Because many of us will be down in Dana Point for the SoCal Assemblies Beach Day we plan to meet either on the beach or at a coffee shop near the beach in Dana Point.