The Curious Columns of Adrian Chiles

by Adrian Chiles

Adrian Chiles's weekly column for the Guardian has gained a cult following for his unique insights into everything from the present tense in history podcasts to his favourite spoon, or his legendary at-home urinal. As Gawker put it, 'Adrian Chiles never misses.' And his targets are the stuff of the everyday things we all need to stop and think about a little more.

The Curious Columns of Adrian Chiles finds Britain's much-loved broadcaster musing on the sacred and the profane, the whimsical and the bizarre, offering his idiosyncratic take on self-checkouts, speeding tickets and the correct duration of a hug, falling into a bed of wild garlic, and discovering he has a naked doppelgänger on OnlyFans. In this brilliant bumper collection, he takes us on a bright, bemused tour of British life, delivering offbeat truths and a comforting blast of humour and warmth for baffling times.

I thought it was weird to have a favourite spoon. Then I realised I wasn't alone...

At Easter I had a fall. The wild garlic smelled lovely, but I didn't want to die there

I recently saw something in a petrol station toilet southbound on the M1 that I can never unsee

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2024

Reviews

[james gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good bed time read after a difficult day

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chiles writes a regular column for The Guardian newspaper; this is a collection of some of them. I found them a mix of interesting and mundane with some decent humour thrown in. A good book to dip in and out of.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 An enjoyable collection, sometimes laugh out loud

[Kerry Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh in Croydon A&E. Do you have any idea how funny you have to be for that to possible? Also, very moving. One million stars.

[mrs m a clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Adrian Chile's down to earth,questioning approach to the things I never knew,I never knew .😂
Some great things to ponder and warm family shares made this a lovely collection to read.

[Steven Parsonage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a wholesome man and his little life anecdotes fill me with great joy, I highly reccomend