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Curiosities of Literature

A Feast for Book Lovers

by John Sutherland ...

When did cigarettes start making an appearance in English literature? Which author's heart was purportedly eaten by a cat? One of our best-known and best-loved literary critics turns his attention to the more bizarre areas of literature in this miscellany of fact and trivia. Which author had the heaviest brain? What was the original title of 1984? Who made the first bouillon soup? What do 12 ... Read more

Was $16.99 CAD Now $1.99 CAD

When did cigarettes start making an appearance in English literature? Which author's heart was purportedly eaten by a cat? One of our best-known and best-loved literary critics turns his attention to the more bizarre areas of literature in this miscellany of fact and trivia. Which author had the heaviest brain? What was the original title of 1984? Who made the first bouillon soup? What do 12
... Read more
The Etymologicon

A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language

by Mark Forsyth ...

This perfect gift for readers, writers, and literature majors alike unearths the quirks of the English language. For example,do you know why a mortgage is literally a “death pledge”? Why guns have girls’ names? Why “salt” is related to “soldier”? Discover the answers to all of these etymological questions and more in this fascinating book for fans of of Eats, Shoots & Leaves.The Etymologicon is a ... Read more

Was $12.99 CAD Now $8.99 CAD

This perfect gift for readers, writers, and literature majors alike unearths the quirks of the English language. For example,do you know why a mortgage is literally a “death pledge”? Why guns have girls’ names? Why “salt” is related to “soldier”? Discover the answers to all of these etymological questions and more in this fascinating book for fans of of Eats, Shoots & Leaves.The Etymologicon is a
... Read more
The Cultural Tutor

A Modern Guide to History, Art and Philosophy in 49 Short Chapters

by Sheehan Quirke ...

'The Cultural Tutor is dedicated to a cosmopolitan view of culture. It writes about every continent, every religion, every tradition of art and poetry' TOMIWA OWOLADE, THE TIMES'For anyone who has enjoyed The Cultural Tutor on X, this book will be more of the same delight. Expect nuggets of insight and wisdom, wrapped in the author's trademark warmth and wit' ALAIN DE BOTTON'A rema... ... Read more

$17.99 CAD

'The Cultural Tutor is dedicated to a cosmopolitan view of culture. It writes about every continent, every religion, every tradition of art and poetry' TOMIWA OWOLADE, THE TIMES'For anyone who has enjoyed The Cultural Tutor on X, this book will be more of the same delight. Expect nuggets of insight and wisdom, wrapped in the author's trademark warmth and wit' ALAIN DE BOTTON'A rema...
... Read more
The Professor and the Madman

A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

by Simon Winchester ...

A New York Times Notable BookThe Professor and the Madman is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary—and literary history.The making of the OED was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, ... Read more

$11.99 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

A New York Times Notable BookThe Professor and the Madman is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary—and literary history.The making of the OED was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray,
... Read more
Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Zipper Accidents

by Bathroom Readers' Institute ...

Series series Uncle John's Bathroom Reader
For 25 years, there's always been a home in Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for those times in life you wish you could take back--"oops" moments, embarrassing accidents, spectacular failures. Because we never get tired of reading about unfortunate accidents (as long as they're happening to someone else), here is a whole book of "the best of the worst," the troubling and funny stories of things got ... Read more

$17.59 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

For 25 years, there's always been a home in Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for those times in life you wish you could take back--"oops" moments, embarrassing accidents, spectacular failures. Because we never get tired of reading about unfortunate accidents (as long as they're happening to someone else), here is a whole book of "the best of the worst," the troubling and funny stories of things got
... Read more
Uncle John's All-Knowing Bathroom Reader

by Bathroom Readers' Institute ...

Series series Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual
Everything you didn't know you needed to know can be found in this absorbing read that makes every visit to the throne room an entertaining and educational adventure.Uncle John's Bathroom Reader is back for its 39th year with another page-turning collection of the strange, fascinating, and downright entertaining! Dive into captivating articles spanning pop culture, history, sports, science, and ... Read more

$15.99 CAD

Everything you didn't know you needed to know can be found in this absorbing read that makes every visit to the throne room an entertaining and educational adventure.Uncle John's Bathroom Reader is back for its 39th year with another page-turning collection of the strange, fascinating, and downright entertaining! Dive into captivating articles spanning pop culture, history, sports, science, and
... Read more
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty | Digest & Review

by Reader's Companions ...

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty | Digest & ReviewCeleste, Jane, and Madeline believed they were ready for kindergarten orientation until their worlds were turned upside down. Yelling and screaming children were the least of their worries when a dead body showed up at orientation. The novel Big Little Lies, written by Liane Moriarty, will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to turn the page ... Read more

$4.99 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty | Digest & ReviewCeleste, Jane, and Madeline believed they were ready for kindergarten orientation until their worlds were turned upside down. Yelling and screaming children were the least of their worries when a dead body showed up at orientation. The novel Big Little Lies, written by Liane Moriarty, will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to turn the page
... Read more
Why Do Pirates Love Parrots?

An Imponderables (R) Book

by David Feldman ...

Series Book 11 - Imponderables Series
Are you the type of person who stays up nights wondering how they get the paper tag into Hershey's Kisses? Or why portholes are round?Even if you don't lose sleep over such matters, you have to admit that such questions are, well, worthy of consideration.Here, from David Feldman, creator of the Imponderables® series, are the latest questions on the minds of his devoted readers and fans. No ... Read more

$11.99 CAD

Are you the type of person who stays up nights wondering how they get the paper tag into Hershey's Kisses? Or why portholes are round?Even if you don't lose sleep over such matters, you have to admit that such questions are, well, worthy of consideration.Here, from David Feldman, creator of the Imponderables® series, are the latest questions on the minds of his devoted readers and fans. No
... Read more
The Huge Book of Amazing Facts and Interesting Stuff 2022

Amazing Fact Books, #1

by Jenny Kellett ...

Series Book 1 - Amazing Fact Books
"Be More Interesting"Following on from her best-selling series of fact books, Jenny Kellett brings you the HUGE Book of Amazing Facts 2022.Chock full of incredible, curious, and mind-blowing facts, you'll be able to impress your friends or simply improve your knowledge with over 800 of only the very best hand-picked trivia facts.The facts are divided into categories for easy reference. Whether you ... Read more

$10.99 CAD

"Be More Interesting"Following on from her best-selling series of fact books, Jenny Kellett brings you the HUGE Book of Amazing Facts 2022.Chock full of incredible, curious, and mind-blowing facts, you'll be able to impress your friends or simply improve your knowledge with over 800 of only the very best hand-picked trivia facts.The facts are divided into categories for easy reference. Whether you
... Read more
The Book of the Bizarre

Freaky Facts & Strange Stories

by Varla Ventura ...

From enchanted animals to bizarre rock-and-roll stories, discover hundreds of far-out facts guaranteed to give your trivia game a whole new twist.Did you know duck dander is hallucinogenic? Or that Katherine Hepburn had a phobia of dirty hair? Have you ever wondered about the Magical Skull of Doom or contemplated the mysterious Transylvanian Tablets? The Book of the Bizarre is a veritable treasure ... Read more

$17.59 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

From enchanted animals to bizarre rock-and-roll stories, discover hundreds of far-out facts guaranteed to give your trivia game a whole new twist.Did you know duck dander is hallucinogenic? Or that Katherine Hepburn had a phobia of dirty hair? Have you ever wondered about the Magical Skull of Doom or contemplated the mysterious Transylvanian Tablets? The Book of the Bizarre is a veritable treasure
... Read more
Why Didn't I Think of That?

101 Inventions that Changed the World by Hardly Trying

by Anthony Rubino Jr. ...

Writer and cartoonist Anthony Rubino, Jr. hilariously shares 101 inventions that bizarrely changed the world.Why Didn't I Think of That? proves not all successful inventions are the greatest thing since sliced bread (not even sliced bread, which is literally just a precut loaf for lazy loafs).This humorous guide to “mind-blowing” inventions deconstructs just how complex these can't-live-without ... Read more

$16.99 CAD

Writer and cartoonist Anthony Rubino, Jr. hilariously shares 101 inventions that bizarrely changed the world.Why Didn't I Think of That? proves not all successful inventions are the greatest thing since sliced bread (not even sliced bread, which is literally just a precut loaf for lazy loafs).This humorous guide to “mind-blowing” inventions deconstructs just how complex these can't-live-without
... Read more
Don’t Know Much About® the Civil War

Everything You Need to Know About America's Greatest Conflict but Never Learned

by Kenneth C. Davis ...

Series Book 10 - Don't Know Much About Series
“Highly informative and entertaining…propels the reader light years beyond dull textbooks and Gone with the Wind.”—San Francisco ChronicleIt has been 150 years since the opening salvo of America’s War Between the States. New York Times bestselling author Ken Davis tells us everything we never knew about our nation’s bloodiest conflict in Don’t Know Much About ® the Civil War—another fascinating ... Read more

$11.99 CAD

“Highly informative and entertaining…propels the reader light years beyond dull textbooks and Gone with the Wind.”—San Francisco ChronicleIt has been 150 years since the opening salvo of America’s War Between the States. New York Times bestselling author Ken Davis tells us everything we never knew about our nation’s bloodiest conflict in Don’t Know Much About ® the Civil War—another fascinating
... Read more
Strange Hollywood

Amazing and Intriguing Stories From Tinseltown and Beyond

by Editors of Portable Press ...

Series series Strange Series
More like Holly weird, right? Unearth fun facts from Bryan Cranston's body hair double to the Martha Stewart vs. Gwyneth Paltrow Goop feud, and much more.Hollywood stars may be accustomed to the limelight, but there are some things they may wish had never seen the light of day. Scandals, stunts gone wrong, off-camera feuds, eccentric lifestyles, it's all here in Strange Hollywood. Dozens of ... Read more

$11.19 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

More like Holly weird, right? Unearth fun facts from Bryan Cranston's body hair double to the Martha Stewart vs. Gwyneth Paltrow Goop feud, and much more.Hollywood stars may be accustomed to the limelight, but there are some things they may wish had never seen the light of day. Scandals, stunts gone wrong, off-camera feuds, eccentric lifestyles, it's all here in Strange Hollywood. Dozens of
... Read more
The 99% Invisible City

A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design

by Roman Mars, Kurt Kohlstedt ...

**A NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, USA TODAY, AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER“[A] diverse and enlightening book . . . The 99% Invisible City is altogether fresh and imaginative when it comes to thinking about urban spaces.”—The New York Times Book Review**“Here is a field guide, a boon, a bible, for the urban curious. Your city’s secret anatomy laid bare—a hundred things you look at but don’t ... Read more

$20.99 CAD

**A NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, USA TODAY, AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER“[A] diverse and enlightening book . . . The 99% Invisible City is altogether fresh and imaginative when it comes to thinking about urban spaces.”—The New York Times Book Review**“Here is a field guide, a boon, a bible, for the urban curious. Your city’s secret anatomy laid bare—a hundred things you look at but don’t
... Read more
White House Confidential

The Little Book of Weird Presidential History

by Gregg Stebben, Austin Hill ...

An irreverent look at Presidential foibles, follies, fibs, and moral failuresWere past presidents smarter, more honest, and better behaved that those we elect today? Don’t bet on it! White House Confidential shows that commanders-in-chief have been lying, cheating, stealing, and womanizing from the days of the Founding Fathers. Focusing on the qualities that never made it into White House press ... Read more

$16.99 CAD

An irreverent look at Presidential foibles, follies, fibs, and moral failuresWere past presidents smarter, more honest, and better behaved that those we elect today? Don’t bet on it! White House Confidential shows that commanders-in-chief have been lying, cheating, stealing, and womanizing from the days of the Founding Fathers. Focusing on the qualities that never made it into White House press
... Read more
Myth Information

More Than 590 Popular Misconceptions, Fallacies, and Misbeliefs Explained!

by J. Allen Varasdi ...

It's common knowledge that Eve gave Adam an apple. Everyone knows that George Washington was the first president of the United States. And when your mother told you not to go swimming right after you ate, you took it as a matter of life and death. But you've been myth-informed by legend, by history . . . even by your mother! The truth is:* Milk chocolate may actually help prevent tooth decay!* If ... Read more

$10.99 CAD

It's common knowledge that Eve gave Adam an apple. Everyone knows that George Washington was the first president of the United States. And when your mother told you not to go swimming right after you ate, you took it as a matter of life and death. But you've been myth-informed by legend, by history . . . even by your mother! The truth is:* Milk chocolate may actually help prevent tooth decay!* If
... Read more
The The Piano Guys Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About The Piano Guys

by Logan Stanley ...

This book is your ultimate The Piano Guys resource. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, facts, quotes and much more.In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about The Piano Guys's whole picture right away. Get countless The Piano Guys facts right at your fingertips with this essential resource.The The Piano Guys Handbook ... Read more

$12.79 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

This book is your ultimate The Piano Guys resource. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, facts, quotes and much more.In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about The Piano Guys's whole picture right away. Get countless The Piano Guys facts right at your fingertips with this essential resource.The The Piano Guys Handbook
... Read more
The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation

97 Things That Annoy, Bother, Chafe, Disturb, Enervate, Frustrate, Grate, Harass, Irk, Jar, Miff, Nettle, Outrage, Peeve, Quassh, Rile, Stress Out, Trouble, Upset, Vex, Worry, and X Y Z You!

by Laura Lee ...

This collection of 100 headaches, day-ruining events, moment destroying mishaps and infuriating everyday aggravations presents the fascinating facts behind the world's most frustrating situations.Laura Lee's dry, humorous and scientific text explains why fingernails on the chalkboard make you cringe; why people drive slowly in the fast lane; why dripping faucets annoy women more than men; why the ... Read more

$12.99 CAD

This collection of 100 headaches, day-ruining events, moment destroying mishaps and infuriating everyday aggravations presents the fascinating facts behind the world's most frustrating situations.Laura Lee's dry, humorous and scientific text explains why fingernails on the chalkboard make you cringe; why people drive slowly in the fast lane; why dripping faucets annoy women more than men; why the
... Read more
Hockey's Most Wanted™

by Floyd Conner ...

The history of hockey is filled with the bizarre, the unexpected, and the hard to believe. Hockey's Most Wanted™ chronicles 700 of the most outrageous players, coaches, and owners in hockey history. In humorous detail, Floyd Conner describes hockeys top-ten strange plays, inept players, bizarre nicknames, craziest fans, colorful characters, unlikely heroes, odious owners, worst coaches, ... Read more

$9.55 CAD

The history of hockey is filled with the bizarre, the unexpected, and the hard to believe. Hockey's Most Wanted™ chronicles 700 of the most outrageous players, coaches, and owners in hockey history. In humorous detail, Floyd Conner describes hockeys top-ten strange plays, inept players, bizarre nicknames, craziest fans, colorful characters, unlikely heroes, odious owners, worst coaches,
... Read more
The Visual Basic for Applications Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Visual Basic for Applications

by Sophia Bolton ...

This book is your ultimate Visual Basic for Applications resource. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, facts, quotes and much more.In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about Visual Basic for Applications's whole picture right away. Get countless Visual Basic for Applications facts right at your fingertips with this ... Read more

$12.79 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

This book is your ultimate Visual Basic for Applications resource. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, facts, quotes and much more.In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about Visual Basic for Applications's whole picture right away. Get countless Visual Basic for Applications facts right at your fingertips with this
... Read more
Cabinet of Curiosities

A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre

by Aaron Mahnke ...

Become captivated by tales of wonderful, astounding, and downright bizarre people, places, and things throughout history. Perfect for trivia aficionados, history readers, or anyone with a thirst for unusual knowledge, Cabinet of Curiosities is full of titillating tidbits and mind-boggling stories you never knew you needed to know.From the creator of the long-running, smash-hit podcast Aaron Mahnke ... Read more

Was $21.99 CAD Now $17.99 CAD

Become captivated by tales of wonderful, astounding, and downright bizarre people, places, and things throughout history. Perfect for trivia aficionados, history readers, or anyone with a thirst for unusual knowledge, Cabinet of Curiosities is full of titillating tidbits and mind-boggling stories you never knew you needed to know.From the creator of the long-running, smash-hit podcast Aaron Mahnke
... Read more
Basketball's Most Wanted™

by Floyd Conner ...

All-American George Glamack was known as the "Blind Bomber" because his eyesight was so poor that he couldnt see the basket. Bobby Bailey once fouled out of a game in three minutes. The first professional basketball player, Fred Cooper, earned sixteen dollars per game. Swedish player Mats Wermelin scored all 272 points in a game. Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach punched out the owner of the St. ... Read more

$9.55 CAD

All-American George Glamack was known as the "Blind Bomber" because his eyesight was so poor that he couldnt see the basket. Bobby Bailey once fouled out of a game in three minutes. The first professional basketball player, Fred Cooper, earned sixteen dollars per game. Swedish player Mats Wermelin scored all 272 points in a game. Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach punched out the owner of the St.
... Read more
Uncle John's New & Improved Briefs

Fast Facts, Terse Trivia & Astute Articles

by Bathroom Readers' Institute ...

Get your trivia on the go with this Uncle John's anthology of fun fast facts, includes over twenty-five pages of new content!Uncle John's New & Improved Briefs is chock-full of thousands of great facts and hundreds of quick hits covering history, origins, blunders, sports, pop science, and entertainment plus a sprinkling of riddles, puns, anagrams, and other classic wordplay. Read about . . .The ... Read more

$14.39 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

Get your trivia on the go with this Uncle John's anthology of fun fast facts, includes over twenty-five pages of new content!Uncle John's New & Improved Briefs is chock-full of thousands of great facts and hundreds of quick hits covering history, origins, blunders, sports, pop science, and entertainment plus a sprinkling of riddles, puns, anagrams, and other classic wordplay. Read about . . .The
... Read more
Don't Know Much About Geography

Everything You Need to Know About the World but Never Learned

by Kenneth C. Davis ...

Series series The Don't Know Much About Series
An "entertaining [and] eminently readable" exploration of our home planet from the New York Times–bestselling author of Don't Know Much About History ( Publishers Weekly).Geography is much more than naming countries on a map or memorizing state capitals. It's the hub from which other disciplines radiate: meteorology, ecology, geology, oceanography, demographics, cartography, agricultural studies, ... Read more

$17.59 CAD or Free with Kobo Plus

An "entertaining [and] eminently readable" exploration of our home planet from the New York Times–bestselling author of Don't Know Much About History ( Publishers Weekly).Geography is much more than naming countries on a map or memorizing state capitals. It's the hub from which other disciplines radiate: meteorology, ecology, geology, oceanography, demographics, cartography, agricultural studies,
... Read more

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