I Bought A Book… And I Liked It.

 

"Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions"

 



I don’t actually buy books much anymore because I could almost go broke buying everything I want to read.  I have broken down and done some eReading which for my eyesight is a terrific thing but there is just something about holding an actual book in your hands.  If I want a paperback I love going to the only independent bookstore in town that I know of, Tidal Wave books.  Before that I would borrow books by the bagful from the senior facility my late Father lived at as they had a magnificent library of things donated by the residents.   

I do keep a “To Read” list on my iPhone so when I read a good review (usually from EW) so when I realized I had listed the same book, “What If” by Randall Munroe, 3 different times, I decided I should go purchase it.  Especially since I thought it would be a better read physically having it as opposed to eReading it.  I almost get weak in the knees when I walk into a bookstore with all of the wonderful things just waiting on the shelves for me to pick them up and lovingly consider buying. 

Willpower! Must. be. strong.  Already have a couple hundred pounds of books in storage.   

When I checked out at Barnes & Noble, the clerk said she loved this guy’s work.  I was deflated because I am no longer up on everything because I had never heard of him.

Oh, boo hoo, you’re not a hipster.

But, but I do like being on top of current pop culture stuff.

Well, face it doll face, the information is coming too fast to keep up.

But once upon a time, I was the person people would call to answer trivia questions.

That’s ok, you can still answer all of the old stuff!   

Apparently, he is an American webcomic (didn’t know this was a thing) and creator of  Webcomic xkcd and author who is a former NASA scientist.  

I am more interested in science and the world around me than I ever was in school so I found this book one of the most amazing informative things I have read.  Randall Munroe has a unique way of explaining things to the common, non-genius mind with an articulate very funny tome.  And you know what, I have actually wondered some of the things that folks are asking him.  

From the back cover:

“If you have a good arm, you could probably throw this book about 45 feet.  With practice, it’s possible to throw a book every 800 milliseconds, which means that if human attackers are sprinting towards you, you’ll have three or four chances to hit them before they reach you.  If, on the other hand, you’re being attacked by a coyote, its higher top speed means you’ll only have once chance to hit it. Aim carefully.”

Seriously, how could not want to throw you money at the bookstore clerk and race home to start reading this incredibly delicious book??  (Besides the fact you have to go back to work and wait about 6 hours before getting home). 

Try it, you’ll like it!!  You may also just learn a thing or two.  Or have some good dinner conversation topics.

Let me know what you think if you do…