Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach (unabridged audiobook read by Bernadette Quigley; 8 hours on 7 CDs): After tackling what happens to the body after death in Stiff, Roach turns to what happens to the personality. Does some aspect of what makes us who we are continue living after we stop? Though a skeptic at heart, she enthusiastically pursues all manner of “life after death” theories, from 19th century mediums to modern reincarnation investigators to the scientific search for the soul. She pokes fun where appropriate (especially at herself), but generally presents the evidence without bias or comment. This book probably won’t change any minds; this is an issue where most people believe what they believe no matter what evidence is presented. Still, it is a fascinating survey of the subject. I was particularly enthralled by the ethically questionable methods to weigh the soul. If your interest in ghosts and the like is more academic than spiritual, this is the book for you. Just don’t read it while eating. Some of the descriptions are pretty graphic.
Note: I did not include this in my 2011 audiobook reading challenges because I started it in 2010.