Changes

{|class-"wikitable" cellpadding="15" <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{Frontpage<!-- Lloyd -->|isbn=1780724047|-title=A Dictionary of Interesting and Important Dogs| styleauthor="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Peter J Conradi|rating=4[[image:Lloyd_1423.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0571339107?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCodegenre=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0571339107]] Pets| stylesummary="vertical-alignI struggle to resist a book about dogs, but I did wonder why this one was so ''thin'': top; text-align: left;"|===[[1given that I've never encountered a dog who wasn't interesting or important - and probably both,423 QI Facts to Bowl You Over by John LloydI was expecting a massive tome. But ''A Dictionary of Interesting and Important Dogs'' is actually ''a rich compendium of the world's most significant and beloved dogs'' and it's certainly a rich treasure trove. We begin with Peter J Conradi's four collies: Cloudy, James Harkin Sky. Bradley and Anne Miller]]===Max. They're consecutive rather than simultaneous dogs, but what comes over is Conradi's love for each and every one of them. I knew that I was in safe hands.}}{{Frontpage[[image|author=Don Behrend|title=Copernicus! What Have You Done?:5star.jpg..and Other Interesting Questions|linkrating=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia4.5|genre=Trivia]] You may think me lazy, but there is an inherent satisfaction for book reviewers in hitting upon a book such as |summary= Hello! Would this – you know review be okay if I simply said ''I LOVED THIS GLORIOUS LITTLE BOOK AND SO WILL YOU. FIN''?! Because I did. And you will have very little bearing on its sales. |isbn=1789016770}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Lloyd_1423|title=1,423 QI Facts to Bowl You Over|author=John Lloyd, James Harkin and what's more you hardly even need describe it – just dip in here and Anne Miller|rating=5|genre=Trivia|summary=You may think me lazy, but there is an inherent satisfaction for a book reviewers in hitting upon a book such as this – you know you will have very little bearing on its sales, and what's more you hardly even need describe it – just dip in here and there for a few quotes, and sit back and relax knowing your job is done. ''Only 1% of people who buy marmalade are under the age of 28. Treadmills were once the harshest form of punishment after the death penalty. Naked mole-rats can survive for 18 minutes without oxygen by turning themselves into plants.'' And the whole of page 52. There, job done – and the creators of this book certainly have done their job to perfection. [[1,423 QI Facts to Bowl You Over by John Lloyd, James Harkin and Anne Miller|Full Review]] <!-- Snow-->}}{{Frontpage|-isbn=Brightside_101| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"101 Things to Take the Stress Out of Christmas|author=Robin Snow[[image:Brightside_101.jpg|leftrating=4|linkgenre=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1780723296?ieTrivia|summary=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1780723296]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[101 Things to Take the Stress Out For many years one of Christmas by Robin Snow]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] For many years one of my guiding principles has been that my guiding principles has been that the C word should not be mentioned until the beginning of December but, unfortunately, C seems to be coming earlier each year and there are even shops where it never ceases to be imminent, which ramps up the stress levels considerably. So, a book which promises 101 things to take the C word should not be mentioned until the beginning stress out of December but unfortunately C seems to be coming earlier each year and there are even shops where it never ceases to be imminent, which ramps up the stress levels considerably. So, a book which promises 101 things to take the stress out of C seemed liked a seemed like a good idea. What’s it about? Tips like putting the sprouts on to boil in November or joining a religion which avoids the celebration altogether? Well, not quite. [[}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Brightside_Worry|title=101 Things to Take do instead of worrying about the Stress Out of Christmas by Robin Snowworld|Full Review]]author=Felicity Brightside|rating=4<!-- Brightside -->|-|genre=Trivia| stylesummary="width: 10%; verticalI don't think that I've ever been quite so worried about the state of the world as I have been of late -align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Brightside_Worryand I speak as someone who lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis and various other apocalyptic moments.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazonIt almost certainly comes down to a lack of confidence in the people who are supposedly in charge, whether it be from a political point of view or of our stewardship of this planet we call home.co.uk/gp/product/1780723180But what can be done about it?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1780723180]]We've tried voting, arguing and demonstrating. Now we're down to pulling up the drawbridge and doing our best to think about something else.}}{{Frontpage| styleisbn="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"Lloyd 1342|title=1,342 QI Facts To Leave You Flabbergasted|author=John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin and Anne Miller|rating=5|genre=Trivia|summary=[[101 Things to do instead of worrying about I love the way the world by Felicity Brightside]]=== QI elves play games with us with [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:TriviaJohn Lloyd, John Mitchinson and James Harkin|Triviathese books]]I don. That't think that Is not to say it've ever been quite so worried about s a game of pulling the state of wool over our eyes, for every entrant in this series has had the world as I have been of late - and I speak as someone who lived through equivalent online version for the Cuban Missile Crisis and various other apocalyptic moments. It almost certainly comes down sources, so every page is replicated with the due links you need to a lack search for proof of confidence in their statements. No, the people who are supposedly in charge, whether it be from a political point of view or of our stewardship of this planet we call homegame is Six Degrees of Separation. But what can be done about And they're so good at it? We've tried voting, arguing and demonstratingthey can do most things in three. Now we're down So in just three standalone, but thematically linked, phrases, you can get from how to pulling up make the drawbridge and doing our best sound of an Orc army for ''Lord of the Rings'' films to think about something elserecord-breaking nipple hair. [[101 Things From illicit wartime barbers in Italy to do instead of worrying about the world by Felicity Brightside|Full Review]] <!-- Lloyd -->|American founding father bedroom arrangements, is only three steps – and the path carries on to reach that erstwhile novice stand-up, Ronald Reagan, in two more. It's only two jumps between Donald Trump and Charles Darwin, disconcertingly.}}{{Frontpage| styleisbn="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|Lloyd_1411[[image:Lloyd 1342.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0571332463?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCodetitle=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0571332463]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[1,342 411 QI Facts To Leave Knock You Flabbergasted by Sideways|author=John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, and James Harkin and Anne Miller]]=|rating=4.5|genre=Trivia [[image:5star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Handsome is as handsome does. And you know what else benefits from being curt and succinct, alongside old housewives' saws like that one? Trivia|Trivia]] . I love the way always thought the QI elves play games with us with [[:Category:John Lloydbooks such as this one to be handsome things – perfectly presenting trivia, John Mitchinson and James Harkin|these books]]. That's not four (on rare occasion, three) statements to say it's a game of pulling the wool over our eyespage, for every entrant in this series has had the equivalent online version for the sourcesa very nice little cubical hardback. Now they're being represented in paperback, so every page is replicated with the due links but you need to search for proof of their statements. No, the game is Six Degrees of Separation. And theyknow what? They're so good at it, they can do most still handsome things in three. So in just three standalone}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Lloyd_1339|title=1, but thematically linked, phrases339 QI Facts To Make Your Jaw Drop|author=John Lloyd, you can get from how to make the sound of an Orc army for John Mitchinson and James Harkin|rating=4.5|genre=Trivia|summary=A spermologer ''Lord is a collector of the Ringstrivia'' films to record-breaking nipple hair. From illicit wartime barbers Just that sentence tells you a lot – we're once more in Italy the realm of the curt, succinct approach to American founding father bedroom arrangementsthe world's information and oddities. It says more, however – beyond the weirdness of the word is only three steps – and the path carries on obvious necessity for the word to reach exist – without people that erstwhile novice stand-up, Ronald Reagan, in two morecould be called collectors of trivia you would not need the term. It's only two jumps between Donald Trump and Charles DarwinAnd rest assured, disconcertinglythere are currently few people that stand as better spermologers than the chief QI elves. [[1,342 QI Facts To Leave You Flabbergasted by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin and Anne Miller|Full Review]]}}<!-- LLOYD -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=Metcalf_Skedaddle| styletitle="widthFrom Skedaddle to Selfie: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Words of the Generation|author=Allan Metcalf[[image:Lloyd_1411|rating=3.jpg5|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0571329845/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Trivia| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[1I have to go a roundabout way to introduce this book,411 QI Facts To Knock You Sideways by John Lloydso bear with me. It stems partly from dictionaries and the etymology of the language we use, but more so if anything from a different couple of books, John Mitchinson and James Harkin]]=== [[image:4their ideas of generations.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] Handsome is as handsome does. And you know what else benefits from being curt The authors of those posited the idea that all those archetypical generations – the Baby Boomers, the Millennials, and succinctthose before, alongside old housewives' saws like that one? Trivia. I always thought the QI books such as this one to be handsome things in between and since – perfectly presenting triviahave their own cyclical pattern, four (on rare occasion, three) statements to and the pagehistory of humanity has been and will be formed by the interplay of just four different kinds, running (with only one exception) in a very nice little cubical hardbackregular order. Now they I don're being represented in paperbackt really hold much store by that, but you and I certainly didn't know what? Theywe're still handsome d started one since the Millennials – who the heck decides such things. [[1,411 QI Facts To Knock You Sideways for one? ''Somebody must have put out an order'', as someone here says of something else. But in the same way as generations get defined by John Lloydcollective persons unknown, John Mitchinson so do words – and those words are certainly a clue to what was important, predominant and James Harkin|Full Review]]of course spoken in each decade.}}<!-- Lloyd -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=Halliday_Cathedrals| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Cathedrals and Abbeys (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts)|author=Stephen Halliday[[image:Lloyd_1339.jpg|linkrating=http://www4.amazon.co.uk/dp/0571308953/ref5|genre=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Trivia| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[1,339 QI Facts To Make Your Jaw Drop by John LloydWhat makes a cathedral? It's not automatically the principal church of anywhere that is made a city – St Davids is a village of 2, John Mitchinson 000 people and James Harkin]]=== [[image:4wasn't always a city, but always had a cathedral, as did Chelmsford.5starIt's not the seat of a bishop – Glasgow has the building but not the person, and hasn't had a bishop since 1690.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] A spermologer It''is s not a collector of triviaminster – that''. Just that sentence tells s something completely different, and if you a lot – we're once more can understand the sign in the realm of delightful Beverley Minster describing the curtdifference, succinct approach to that I saw only the worldother month, you's information and odditiesre a better man I, Gunga Din. It says moreLuckily this book doesn't touch on minsters much, and we can understand abbeys, however – beyond so it's only the weirdness vast majority of the word this book that is saddled with the obvious necessity for the word to exist – without people that could be called collectors of trivia you would definition problem. It's clearly not need the term. And rest assureda real problem, there and those it does have are currently few people that stand by-passable, for this successfully defines a cathedral as better spermologers than the chief QI elvessomewhere of major importance, fine trivia and greatly worthy of our attention. [[1,339 QI Facts To Make Your Jaw Drop by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson and James Harkin|Full Review]]}}{{Frontpage<!-- Metcalf -->|isbn=Bramley_Shakespeare|-title=The Shakespeare Trail| styleauthor="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Zoe Bramley|rating=4[[image:Metcalf_Skedaddle.jpg|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/019992712X/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Trivia| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[From Skedaddle to Selfie: Words of It has been 400 years since William Shakespeare, the man heralded as the greatest writer in the Generation by Allan Metcalf]]=== [[image:3English language, and England's national poet, died.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] I Shakespeare has made a profound mark on our culture and heritage, yet many aspects of his life remain in the shadows, and many places throughout England have to go a roundabout way to introducing this book, so bear forgotten their association with mehim. It stems partly from dictionaries and Here, Zoe Bramley takes the etymology of the language we use, but more so if anything from reader on a different couple journey through hundreds of books, and their ideas of generationsplaces associated with Shakespeare – many whose connections will come as a surprise to most. The authors Filled with intriguing tidbits of those posited the idea that all those archetypical generations – the Baby Boomersinformation about Shakespeare, the MillennialsElizabethan England, and those before, in between and since – have their own cyclical patternthe places that she talks about, this is no mere travel guide.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Halliday_London|title=London (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts)|author=Stephen Halliday|rating=4.5|genre=Trivia|summary=What makes a city? Is it the materials, such as the history very London Stone itself, of humanity mythological repute, that has been moved around several times, and will be formed by the interplay now forms part of a WH Smith's branch? (This has nothing, of just four different kindscourse, running (with only one exception) in regular order. I don't really hold much store by thaton Temple Bar, and I certainly didn't know we'd started one since which has also been known to walk.) Is it the Millennials people – who the heck decides such things, for one? ''Somebody must have put out an order'', as someone here says of something else. But in butchers [[Jack the same way as generations get defined Ripper: CSI: Whitechapel by collective persons unknownJohn Bennett and Paul Begg|(Jack the Ripper)]], so do words – and those words are certainly a clue the bakers (or whoever set fire to what was important, predominant and of course spoken in each decade. [[From Skedaddle to Selfie: Words of the Generation by Allan Metcalf|Full Review]] <!entire city from Pudding Lane) and the candlestick makers? Is it the infrastructure, from the Underground, whose one-- Halliday -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Halliday_Cathedrals.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1910821047/ref=nosimtime boss got a medal from Stalin for his success, to the London Bridge itself, that in its own wanderlust means it's highly unlikely the Thames will freeze again?tag=thebookbag-21]] However you define a city, London certainly has a lot going for it as regards weird and wonderful, and the trivial yet fascinating. And, luckily for us, so has this book.}}{{Frontpage| styleisbn="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|Holland_Railways|title===[[Cathedrals and Abbeys Railways (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Stephen Halliday]]|author=Julian Holland|rating=3|genre=Trivia [[image:4.5star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]]How and when did Laurel and Hardy replace the Duke of York (George VI)? They reopened the Romney, [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] Hythe and Dymchurch Railway when peacetime resumed, at whose launch the latter had officiated before the War. What makes a cathedral? It's not automatically the principal church of anywhere worst that is made can happen when you travel internationally and arrive on a city – St Davids is a village of 2London goods train with no further destination documents? Well,000 people, and wasnif you't always a city, but always had a cathedral, re an unidentifiable Peruvian mummy you can get buried as did Chelmsfordan unknown corpse before the invoice turns up to prove you were wanted in Belgium. ItAfter so many miles and so much drama, it's not the seat of a bishop – Glasgow has the building but not the person, no surprise odd facts and hasnfun trivia derive from our country't had a bishop since 1690s trains. It's not a minster – that's something completely different, This book is designed to be an ideal source of quick articles and if you can understand the sign fun mini-essays for use in the delightful Beverley Minster describing the difference, that I saw only the other month, you're smallest room.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Donald_Words|title=Words of a better man I, Gunga Din. Luckily this book doesn't touch on minsters muchFeather|author=Graeme Donald|rating=4|genre=Trivia|summary=Words of a Feather. The title alone suggests an engaging read about language, and we can understand abbeys, so it's only the vast majority of this book that is saddled with the definition problem. certainly delivers. It's clearly not a real problempairs seemingly unrelated words, digs up their etymological roots and those it does have are by-passablereveals their common ancestry. The English language, of course, for this successfully defines provides rich pickings indeed for a cathedral as somewhere book of major importance, fine trivia this type and greatly worthy of our attention. [[Cathedrals it is fascinating to see the hidden meaning behind common and Abbeys (Amazing not-so-common words. Some connections are fairly obvious once you read them. For example, the link between ''grotto'' and Extraordinary Facts) by Stephen Halliday|Full Review]] <!''grotesque'' is easy to grasp: the word ''grotesque'' derives from unpleasant figures depicted in murals in Ancient Roman ''grottoes''. Other connections are just extraordinary, like the so-crazy- Bramley you-couldn't->|-| style="width: 10%; verticalmake-align: top; textit-align: center;"|[[image:Bramley_Shakespeare.jpg|up link=http://wwwbetween ''furnace'' and ''fornicate''.amazonThese two words date back to Ancient Rome when prostitutes took over the city's abandoned baking domes.co.uk/dp/1445646846/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-alignAnd some connections are more than a little tenuous, seemingly just a collection of words banded together, as is the case with the ''insult'' and ''salmon'' pairing. One of my personal favourites: top; text-align: leftthe Italian word ''schiavo'' for ''slave'' was used to summon or dismiss a slave;"|===[[The Shakespeare Trail by Zoe Bramley]]==this word became corrupted to ''ciao'', a word the more well-heeled among us use instead of ''goodbye''.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Binney_English [[image:4star.jpg|linktitle=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:TriviaThe English Countryside (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts)|author=Ruth Binney|rating=4|genre=Trivia]] It has been 400 years since William Shakespeare, |summary=I live in the man heralded countryside and spend as much time as the greatest writer in weather will allow exploring it, so the English language, and Englandchance to read Ruth Binney's national poet, died''The English Countryside'' was too good to be missed. Shakespeare has made a profound mark on our culture We've met Ruth [[The Allotment Experience by Ruth Binney|before]] at Bookbag and heritage, yet many aspects of his life remain in the shadowswe know that she writes well and interestingly, and many places throughout England have forgotten their association with himbut just one thing was worrying me about this book. Here, Zoe Bramley takes It's a hardback and beautifully presented but its the reader on a journey through hundreds size of places associated with Shakespeare – many whose connections will come as book that you slip into a surprise to most. Filled with intriguing titbits of information about Shakespeare, Elizabethan England, and the places that she talks about, this is no mere travel guidepocket or handbag. Would it be rather superficial?}}<!-- Halliday -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=Lloyd_1234| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"1,234 QI Facts to Leave You Speechless|author=John Lloyd, John Mitchinson and James Harkin|rating=5[[image:Halliday_London.jpg|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1910821020/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Trivia| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[London (Amazing ''No US President has ever died in May.'' ''There are fewer women on corporate boards in America than there are men named John.'' ''Dogs investigate bad smells with their right nostril and Extraordinary Facts) by Stephen Halliday]]=== [[image:4good smells with their left.5star'' ''Apollo 11's fuel consumption was seven inches to the gallon.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] What makes a city? '' ''The first occupational disease ever recorded in medical literature was 'chimney sweep's scrotum'.'' Is it the materials''The song 'Yes, such as We Have No Bananas' was written by Leon Trotsky's nephew.'' ''In the very London Stone itself18th Century, King George I declared all pigeon droppings to be the property of mythological repute, that has moved around several times, and now forms part of a WH Smiththe Crown''s branch? . (This has nothing, of course, on Temple Bar, which has also been known to walkI hardly think I need to say any more.) Is it the people – the butchers [[Jack the Ripper: CSI: Whitechapel by John Bennett and Paul BeggReview over.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Berenson_How|(Jack the Ripper)]], the bakers (or whoever set fire title=How to the entire city from Pudding Lane) Speak Emoji|author=Fred Benenson|rating=4|genre=Trivia|summary=Emojis are fun, and there's so much more to them than the candlestick makers? Is it the infrastructure, from the Underground, whose one-time boss got smileys of days gone by ;) They can be a medal from Stalin for his successlanguage unto themselves, to the London Bridge itselfthough, and I've found that in its own wanderlust means it's highly unlikely some members of the Thames will freeze again? However you define a city, London certainly has ahem, older generation can find themselves a lot going for it as regards weird and wonderful, and the trivial yet fascinatinglittle troubled by them. AndThis book, luckily then, sounds perfect for us, so has anyone who needs a little help with this book'language'. [[London (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Stephen Halliday|Full Review]] <!-- Holland -->}}{{Frontpage|-isbn=Lloyd_3rd| styletitle="widthQI: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|The Third Book of General Ignorance[[image:Holland_Railways.jpg|linkauthor=http://www.amazon.coJohn Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin and Andrew Hunter Murray|rating=4.uk/dp/1910821004/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] 5| stylegenre="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"Trivia|summary===[[Railways (Amazing Well done, Hartlepool. You didn't put on trial and Extraordinary Facts) by Julian Holland]]=== [[image:3star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] How and when kill a shipwrecked monkey thinking it a Napoleonic spy – any more than the several other places thusly accused ever did Laurel and Hardy replace the Duke of York (George VI)? They reopened . Well done, Italy, for making the Romneyciabatta such a global phenomenon it seems like a traditional foodstuff, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway when peacetime resumed, at whose launch the latter had officiated before the Wareven if it was invented in 1982. What's the worst And well done to that can happen when you travel internationally and arrive on a London goods train with no further destination documents? Wellfamous ice hockey player, if you're an unidentifiable Peruvian mummy you can get buried Charles Darwin – who was probably playing it, seeing as an unknown corpse it was a British invention, long before the invoice turns up to prove you were wanted in BelgiumCanadians ever realised they might be good at it. After so many miles and so much dramaYes, for a book that spends a lot of its time saying 'this didn’t happen, it's no surprise odd facts and fun trivia derive from our country'hoojamaflip didn't do this,' and 'that was never thus', it's trains. This book is designed one that's incredibly easy to be an ideal source of quick articles and fun mini-essays for use in the smallest room. [[Railways (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Julian Holland|Full Review]]most positive about.}} <!-- Donald -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=Taggart_New| styletitle="widthNew Words for Old: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"Recycling Our Language for the Modern World|author=Caroline Taggart[[image:Donald_Words.jpg|linkrating=http://www3.amazon.co.uk/dp/178418814X/ref5|genre=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] Trivia| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Words of I never declare myself off to have a Feather by Graeme Donald]]=== [[image:4star'kip', as I recall reading that it originally meant the same amount of sleeping – and activity – as happens in a whorehouse.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Reference|Reference]] The word 'cleave' can mean either to split apart or to connect together, [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] Words and I'm sure there's another word that has completely changed its meaning from one end of a Featherthings to another although I can't remember which. The title alone suggests an engaging read about language Certainly, and the book certainly delivers''literally'' has tried its best to make a full switch through rampant misuse. It pairs seemingly unrelated words Such is the nature of our language – fluid both in spelling until moderately recently, digs up their etymological roots and reveals their common ancestrydefinitely in meaning. The English language, of course, provides rich pickings indeed for This attempt at capturing a book corner of this type and it the trivia/words/novelty market is fascinating to see interested in such tales from the hidden meaning behind common etymological world – the way we have adapted old words for our own, modern and not-so-common wordsperhaps very different usages. Some connections are fairly obvious once you read them. For example Certainly, the link between ''grotto'' and ''grotesque'' is easy having browsed it over a week, I can declare it a pretty strong attempt.}}Move on to grasp: the word ''grotesque'' derives from unpleasant figures depicted in murals in Ancient Roman ''grottoes''. Other connections are just extraordinary, like the so-crazy-you-couldn't-make-it-up link between ''furnace'' and ''fornicate''. These two words date back to Ancient Rome when prostitutes took over the city's abandoned baking domes. And some connections are more than a little tenuous, seemingly just a collection of words banded together, as is the case with the ''insult'' and ''salmon'' pairing. One of my personal favourites: the Italian word ''schiavo'' for ''slave'' was used to summon or dismiss a slave; this word became corrupted to ''ciao'', a word the more well-heeled among us use instead of ''goodbye''. [[Words of a Feather by Graeme Donald|Full Review]] <!-- Binney -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Binney_English.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1910821012/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The English Countryside (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Ruth Binney]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]], [[:Category:Animals and Wildlife|Animals and Wildlife]] I live in the countryside and spend as much time as the weather will allow exploring it, so the chance to read Ruth Binney's ''The English Countryside'' was too good to be missed. We've met Ruth [[The Allotment Experience by Ruth Binney|before]] at Bookbag and we know that she writes well and interestingly, but just one thing was worrying me about this book. It's a hardback and beautifully presented but its the size of book that you slip into a pocket or handbag. Would it be rather superficial? [[The English Countryside (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Ruth Binney|Full Review]] <!-- Lloyd -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Lloyd_1234.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0571326684/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[1,234 QI Facts to Leave You Speechless by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson and James Harkin]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] ''No US President has ever died in May.'' ''There are fewer women on corporate boards in America than there are men named John.'' ''Dogs investigate bad smells with their right nostril and good smells with their left.'' ''Apollo 11's fuel consumption was seven inches to the gallon.'' ''The first occupational disease ever recorded in medical literature was 'chimney sweep's scrotum'.'' ''The song 'Yes, We Have No Bananas' was written by Leon Trotsky's nephew.'' ''In the 18th Century, King George I declared all pigeon droppings to be property of the Crown''. I hardly think I need say any more. Review over. [[1,234 QI Facts to Leave You Speechless by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson and James Harkin|Full Review]] <!-- Benenson -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Berenson_How.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/178503202X/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[How to Speak Emoji by Fred Benenson]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] Emojis are fun, and there's so much more to them than the smileys of days gone by ;) They can be a language unto themselves, though, and I've found that some members of the, ahem, older generation can find themselves a little troubled by them. This book, then, sounds perfect for anyone who needs a little help with this 'language'. [[How to Speak Emoji by Fred Benenson|Full Review]] <!-- Lloyd -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Lloyd_3rd.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0571308988/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[QI: The Third Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin and Andrew Hunter Murray]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] Well done, Hartlepool. You didn't put on trial and kill a shipwrecked monkey thinking it a Napoleonic spy – any more than the several other places thusly accused ever did. Well done, Italy, for making the ciabatta such a global phenomenon it seems like a traditional foodstuff, even if it was invented in 1982. And well done to that famous ice hockey player, Charles Darwin – who was probably playing it, seeing as it was a British invention, long before the Canadians ever realised they might be good at it. Yes, for a book that spends a lot of its time saying 'this didn’t happen,' 'hoojamaflip didn't do this,' and 'that was never thus', it's one that's incredibly easy to be most positive about. [[QI: The Third Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin and Andrew Hunter Murray|Full Review]]<!-- Taggart -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Taggart_New.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1782434720/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[New Words for Old: Recycling Our Language for the Modern World by Caroline Taggart]]=== [[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] I never declare myself off to have a 'kip', as I recall reading that it originally meant the same amount of sleeping – and activity – as happens in a whorehouse. The word 'cleave' can mean either to split apart, or to connect together, and I'm sure there's another word that has completely changed its meaning from one end of things to another although I can't remember which. Certainly, ''literally'' has tried its best to make a full switch through rampant misuse. Such is the nature of our language – fluid both in spelling until moderately recently, and definitely in meaning. This attempt at capturing a corner of the trivia/words/novelty market is interested in such tales from the etymological world – the way we have adapted old words for our own, modern and perhaps very different usages. Certainly, having browsed it over a week, I can declare it a pretty strong attempt. [[New Words for Old: Recycling Our Language for the Modern World by Caroline Taggart|Full Review]] <!-- Halliday -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Halliday_London.jpg|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1910821039/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[London Underground (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Stephen Halliday]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Trivia|Trivia]] From initial worries about smutty, enclosed air with a pungent smell to decades of human hair and engine grease causing escalator fires; from just a few lines connecting London termini to major jaunts out into Metro-land for the suburbia-bound commuters; and from a few religious-minded if financially dodgy pioneer investment managers to Crossrail; the history of the world's most extensive underground system (even when a majority is actually above ground) is fascinating to many. This book is a repository of much that is entirely trivial, but is also pretty much thoroughly interesting. [[London Underground (Amazing and Extraordinary Facts) by Stephen Halliday|Full Review[[Newest True Crime Reviews]]  <!-- DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE -->|}