I’m a long time blogger for Discover Mag, but brand new to Tumblr. So far, I’m impressed with how easy it is to navigate and share. For those not already familiar with my work, I’m a biologist turned science writer. My first book Unscientific America (co-authored by Chris Mooney) came out last year and The Science of Kissing debuts early in January. As the publication date gets closer, I’ll be using this site to share material from the book-including some details that didn’t make it into the manuscript!

SoK is a look at this near universal behavior from many lenses of science. I consider why humans got started and how our bodies respond to the experience. I even bring readers into a neuroscience laboratory to see what we might discover about kissing and the brain.

This site will feature related updates and events, as well as photo submissions from readers. Anyone interested in contributing to the growing gallery of kisses from across time, space, and species should email me at srkirshenbaum@yahoo.com.

Thanks for your interest and I hope you enjoy The Science of Kissing!

XX,

SK

The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us

Sheril Kirshenbaum, Grand Central, $19.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-446-55990-4

In the vein of Stephen Pinker’s The Language Instinct, scientist Kirshenbaum examines one of humanity’s fondest pastimes. Divided into three parts, the book covers the evolutionary and cultural history of the kiss, the chemistry of kissing, and the future of kissing. In part one, “The Hunt for Kissing’s Origins,” Kirshenbaum examines the role kissing played in the Middle Ages—a businesslike kiss was employed as a legal way to seal contracts and business agreements. Many men did not know how to read and write, so their signature X was kissed to make it legal. Part two, “Kissing in the Body,” will appeal to anyone who has ever been curious about the chemical properties of butterflies in the stomach. Kirshenbaum writes just as gracefully about prostitutes in pop culture as she does the myriad of complicated biological and chemical processes that science uses to explain osculation. Part three, “Great Expectations,” covers Kirshenbaum’s personal attempt to further investigate the kiss and leaves a long list of fascinating questions that demand further research. (Jan.)

The Science of Kissing finally arrived on my doorstep last week. After years of research and writing, to hold the finished book in my hand is a very surreal experience. Even though the official publication date is January 5th, I’ve just learned that Amazon is already shipping copies… early enough to arrive by Christmas and New Years Eve! Here’s a glimpse at Chapter titles:

Part One: The Hunt For Kissing’s Origins

1. First Contact

2. Jungle Fever

3. Kiss My Past

4. Cultural Exchange

Part Two: Kissing in the Body

5. The Anatomy of a Kiss

6. Women Are from Venus, Men Are Easy

7. Scent of a Man

8. Close Encounters

9. There Are Such Things as Cooties

Part Three: Great Expectations

10. This Is Your Brain on Kissing

11. The Open Lab

12: The Future of Kissing

13: The Right Chemistry

Many of you are writing to ask where to find my new book. The Science of Kissing is now available at most bookstores and also online at: