Sauntering down the aisles of a library can be an adventurous experience. What types of books might you run into? Classic lit, fantasy, or autobiographies? Surely! But there are interesting books out there that you might not know exist until you see it, whether it’s a book about where your excrement travels to after you flush or a cookbook with pictures so repulsive that they will likely make you feel like gagging.
In this post, let’s take a look at books that will either make you question how the book was even published in the first place (and perhaps be grateful for its existence!) or have you so intrigued that you might just put a hold on it. Let’s dive in!
Where Does My Poo Go? by Jo Lindley answers quite a good question, one that children might actually ask. This book may sound strange, but it answers the question in an elaborate and illustrative manner — not entirely in a gross way! — that explains both the science and adventure that feces get flushed into, from the sewer to how manure is used in the real world. This might not be a good read before dinnertime, but certainly an interesting one if you want a short book that’s effective at explaining the processes in a humorous and engaging way.
If you have children, make sure you don’t let them see this book! The Little Book of Shit Baby Names is a quirky title with interesting “advice” for parents. While some of the tips are sprinkled with attitude and jest, some bits are thought-provoking and offer interesting perspectives that some parents may not have considered before. For instance, in the Awkward Baby Names section on page 49, there are few names the book claims have actually existed, like Paige Turner, although there are other names that sound like suggestive innuendos. There are also random facts and jokes throughout, almost as if this is the all-in-one book that’s meant as a little snarky pick-me-up for those who want to laugh through the difficult parts of parenthood.
Imagine a political book written and illustrated in a style akin to Dr. Seuss. A Child’s First Book of Trump by Michael Ian Black and Marc Rosenthal is a controversial satirical book that was published in July 2016, months before Trump’s first inauguration into the oval office, that has rhymes that poke fun at the president back when he was still on the campaign trail. Whether or not you think that this is a timely book with an important message or a book that’s just written in the name of satire/parody, there’s no question that the cover might be enough to pique many folks’ curiosities!
Here’s another interesting book that’s unique: The Amish Christmas Cowboy by Jo Ann Brown. The intersections between Amish, Christmas, and cowboys can sound like quite an unexpected combination, ones that might not be the first theme you think of if you’re ever asked about your favourite type of romance novel; however, the book actually has glowing reviews on Goodreads, with some readers praising the writing and characters. If you’re up for some romance, give this book a read!
Yuck! The Gross Cookbook by Susanna Tee is self-explanatory. But in all honesty, why would someone want to eat food that’s deliberately concocted to look unpleasant? Perhaps Halloween or April Fools’ Day would be fitting times to serve food that looks like bloody intestines or roasted mice. If you’re feeling brave, check out this cookbook to learn how to whip up food that visually looks vomit-inducing, such as “cat poop in a litter box” that’s actually just chocolate, vanilla sponge cake, and other ingredients. If you manage to pull it off, then you’ll likely get the reactions you’d expect!
Festive as F*ck could potentially give off some Grinch-esque vibes if you’re one of those people who’d prefer to embrace the family-friendly traditions of Christmas. If keeping it PG isn’t something that’s up your alley, then this book will turn your Christmas decorations into vulgar words and jokes that are more suited for adults, particularly those who’d rather embrace an edgier side of the holiday season. The first segment of the book goes over setup and the basics of cross-stitching in case you’re a newbie at it. Steer clear if you’re afraid of making it onto Santa’s Naughty List!
According to the introduction of Bird Talk by Becca Rowland, there are over 10,000 different species of birds around the world. In this perfectly titled book, you can learn about the sounds that different birds make, read some fun facts about our feathered friends, and flutter at the adorable illustrations of each bird that are paired with a quote that’ll have you chirping in laughter. If you hear something that “sounds like a donkey crossed with a demon,” it’s probably just a penguin (p. 59)! What about a bird that “sounds like someone’s playing Wheel of Fortune”? I’d like to solve: It’s a yellow-bellied sapsucker (p. 202)! If you’re seeking a definitive, hilarious, go-to book to learn about birds and their sounds, this is the holy grail.
Would You Rather? Funny Questions and Lively Competition for Original Thinkers by Lindsey Daly is a fun, thought-provoking book that’s marketed towards teenagers; however, I’m sure even some adults can have fun conjuring up answers to these hypothetical scenarios. The questions can prompt lively discussions if you treat this book like a board game at family-friendly parties. (Also, there is a card game version with 200 questions if that’s more suited to your taste!) The book is separated into eight rounds that each have a unique overarching theme that the questions revolve around, including adventure- or social-related questions, that many teens could connect with. Want to ponder over hypothetical situations? Give this book a shot!
Don’t write off weird and unique as bad, because they certainly don’t have to be! Check out some books in our collection about the goodness of being weird!