Uncle John's Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader

by Bathroom Readers' Institute

The latest, greatest volume in the popular Uncle John’s series, flush with fun facts and figures and plenty of trademark trivia.

Uncle John’s Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader , the 19th edition of this best-selling series, has more than 500 pages of the perfect reading material for the throne room. Settle in and read Great Moments in Bad TV, the First Detective, the Story of Prohibition, the Queen of the Roller Derby, and the jiggly history of Jello. Plus all of your bathroom reading favorites are Dumb Crooks, Amazing Luck, Forgotten History, Pop Science, Celebrity Gossip, Brainteasers, and much, much more. So cultivate your curiosity with this truly compelling read!

Genres: Nonfiction, Trivia, Humor, Reference, History

526 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2006

About the author

The Bathroom Reader's Institute UJBR boasts more than 12 million books in print and a membership base topping 40,000 loyal readers . . .

Reviews

[Tim The Enchanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, my preferred throne reading delivers another excellent installment. These books are filled with various funny, interesting and compelling stories that cover topics from the weird and unexplained, pop culture to history. These interesting stories threaten to keep you in bathroom long after you mission is complete. Amongst my favorite story is "acoustic kitty". As part of the CIA's attempt to use animals for surveillance purposes, acoustic kitty was fit with state of the art equipment to the tune of major dollars. On her first test run, kitty was promptly run over by a car. Apparently, the CIA abandon the use of spy cats after this incident. This is well worth a read.

[Jim Ralston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for a quick read during a pit stop on the throne - makes me feel like a literary king!

[Christoph Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading all the Bathroom Reader's in order and keep them next to the toilet to read them the way God intended. This one was from 2006 so I guess I've read them all from 1987 on. I kinda miss the one's from the last couple years where they marveled at this brand new thing called electronic mail, or "e-mail." since in 2006 computers and the internet are just starting to become commonplace. I enjoy the pieces about the history of the Pilgrims or Vaudeville better than lists of what TV show were popular or pages of quotes. But it's interesting to see the Time Capsule effect of what was considered important then.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader has once again presented a plethora of amazing and amusing facts to be perused in that Sanctum Santorum that is known as the reading room. Does it have everything in it or course not, but it does have enough to keep you entertained for hours. It is not just for the reading room but just wherever you want to read. There is just to much to tell about in this review. But I can say that it was enlightening.

[John Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for useless knowledge for us that want to win trivia night! Dislike the flow and jumping of complete sections, but overall knowledge is power!

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Uncle John’s Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader” by the Bathroom Reader’s Institute, published by Portable Press.

Category – Trivia/Humor Publication Date – October 28, 2006

I really can’t tell you how many of these I have read, I believe they are in their 27th edition. Although they are touted as “Bathroom Readers”, I must admit I have never read one in the bathroom. These books are so good that I devour them as I would any great mystery, autobiography, or any great book.

If you have not heard of them, these books contain very little known facts (where do they come up with some of this stuff) and Trivia. They are often broken down into categories and most are short in nature with few going longer than a couple of pages. One must be sure not to miss the little snippets on the bottom of each page; many times these can be the heart of the book.

The books have done so well and appeal to a wide audience that they have even published editions for kids. These are great learning tools for children because the subjects are interesting and short, they will definitely not be bored.

Another nice aspect of these books is that they can be put down and picked up at anytime without fear of not being able to follow the story, the problem will be in trying to put the books down, they become very addictive.

All of the “Bathroom Reader’s” are suitable for all ages and are very entertaining. They make great gifts and most people will hang on to them and read them over and over again.

[Edmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative book, as expected of the Bathroom Reader series. I really like the book's style of explaining the trivia in a very entertaining manner. unlike other "trivia" books which just list trivia after trivia in a monotonous manner. Trivia are just that, trivia. Hence, it is important to make them interesting so that readers will appreciate them more and this book has done the job and more.

[Justus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if this should be a 5 star because it has been in the bathroom for almost 5 years now. It still manages to entertain with quick hits as always before and I still seem to find things I hadn't read though I must have gone through it several times by now (albeit not systematically). Fun stuff and full of weird entertaining errata about life.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the interesting facts. I also can read it before bed because the sections are so short it is okay if I fall asleep in the middle of a page! It is good jeopardy study material!! An overall fun read!!

I loved this I learned so many interesting things! I wish I could find more at rummage sales and yard sales!!

[Idea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to dip into as and when you have a few minutes handy (so the bathroom is a good place for it). It's full of anecdotes and interesting trivia. If one titbit bores you, just move on to another!

[Sayuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funny,serious,and all true which makes it even better!
-Did you know that every japanese word ands in a vowel?

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This probably doesn't count as a book, but....it took me several months to read and it was over 500 pages,so, I counted it.

[Rosemary · Rating 2 out of 5]

many subjects.......something new on every page.

[Michael Light · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some light reading that I knocked out in my, eh, spare time...just fun facts and stories!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the random factoids - it actuslly makes non-readers want to read - plus, it's non-fiction which makes it even more interesting!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of the supremely interesting and fun books from the Uncle John series. Tough to put down!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all 25! Love them!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great trivia collection. As always, the highlight was the deep dives into forgotten episodes in history.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love reading these books. Interesting and fun!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun tidbits from Uncle John.