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The Book of the Year
In a year when much of the news was believable but fake, comes a book packed with stories that are unbelievable but true. The Book of the Year is a hilarious guide to 2017’s most extraordinary events, unearthed by the creators of the award-winning hit comedy podcast No Such Thing As A Fish. Each week, over a million people tune in to find out what bizarre and astonishing facts Dan, James, Anna and Andy have found out over the previous seven days. Now the gang have turned their attention to the news of the past twelve months. You’ll discover the curious details behind the main headlines – how Donald Trump slept on the 66th floor of a 58-storey building, what effect Brexit had on Coco Pops, and why China’s president can’t stand Winnie the Pooh – as well as hundreds of stories you may have missed entirely, like the news · Qatar built a refugee camp for camels.· The world’s first avocado restaurant ran out of avocados on its first day.· The victim of Britain’s first ever shark attack ended up with a cut thumb. From strange inventions to baffling elections, via a surprising amount of sausage news, The Book of the Year is an eye-opening tour of the incredible year you didn’t know you’d lived through.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2017
58 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 16, 2019
A round-up of the year by the creators of the No Such Thing as a Fish podcast. I listened to the audiobook, which is advertised as a 'nine hour podcast', and although it feels much more scripted than usual it definitely still has a podcast feel to it. Andy, Anna, James and Dan read the main sections (with Jane Hill introducing each chapter) and they occasionally go off-script taking the mickey out of each other's pronunciations, just like they would on the podcast.
March 19, 2018
Such fun. A book you can dip into and always find something interesting.
February 7, 2018
If you don't know, there is a weekly podcast by the QI Elves. It's called No Such Thing As A Fish and I highly recommend it. It takes the 4 researchers (James Harking, Andrew Hunter Murray, Anna Ptaszynski & Dan Schreiber) each discussing one of the favourite things they have earned in the past week.
It's no real surprise then that eventually it was going to turn into a book. It's got a slightly strange format, in that it's split up into alphabetical order. So, for example, Z gives us facts on Youguang Zhou, Zika virus, Zimbabwe, Zombies, Crypto-Zoology, Zoos, Mark Zuckerberg and Zyzzyva (it's a tropical weevil in case you were wondering). Unlike the normal QI books there's a few paragraphs to each fact, which gives more of a background. It's not just the facts, which makes it a lot more entertaining. On the other hand, also in the Z category is the Zoology (non crypto) section, which is basically a list of topics discussed elsewhere with links to them, which is a bit of a waste of space. A cynic would call it a bulking technique.
That quibble aside, it's an amusing entertaining read, and I guarantee there will be something in there you didn't know you needed to know.
It's no real surprise then that eventually it was going to turn into a book. It's got a slightly strange format, in that it's split up into alphabetical order. So, for example, Z gives us facts on Youguang Zhou, Zika virus, Zimbabwe, Zombies, Crypto-Zoology, Zoos, Mark Zuckerberg and Zyzzyva (it's a tropical weevil in case you were wondering). Unlike the normal QI books there's a few paragraphs to each fact, which gives more of a background. It's not just the facts, which makes it a lot more entertaining. On the other hand, also in the Z category is the Zoology (non crypto) section, which is basically a list of topics discussed elsewhere with links to them, which is a bit of a waste of space. A cynic would call it a bulking technique.
That quibble aside, it's an amusing entertaining read, and I guarantee there will be something in there you didn't know you needed to know.
February 5, 2018
This book was highly anticpated by myself. I highly enjoy the weekly podcast so naturally I would be inclined to read this book. Thankfully, due to the constant shilling/self promotion on the podcast, it felt like a must have. This is the first QI book I have read and actually enjoyed. Probably because the material in it is largely original. There is some overlap between the podcast and the contents, but given that they both sometimes have facts from 2017, it's not the authors' fault.
Sometimes I did find it slightly boring but other times it was highly entertaining, the tragic life of a compilation book. The part about a man mistaking a cat's anus for a wound was espeically funny.
They could have improved this book with a references section. Sometimes I find it quite hard to find more inofrmation of some of the facts, even with the power fo the internet. I felt like certain sections could have done with being longer.
I also found the "For x, See y...." sections almost always verbose and not needed. With the exception of the section on Donald Trump, I didn't find them funny at all and tended to skip them (the back handed barbs at POTUS were much appreciated though). Having listened to the first chapter of the audiobook, I would probably have liked listening to rather than reading the actual book, because you have the chemistry of the QI elves.
Sometimes I did find it slightly boring but other times it was highly entertaining, the tragic life of a compilation book. The part about a man mistaking a cat's anus for a wound was espeically funny.
They could have improved this book with a references section. Sometimes I find it quite hard to find more inofrmation of some of the facts, even with the power fo the internet. I felt like certain sections could have done with being longer.
I also found the "For x, See y...." sections almost always verbose and not needed. With the exception of the section on Donald Trump, I didn't find them funny at all and tended to skip them (the back handed barbs at POTUS were much appreciated though). Having listened to the first chapter of the audiobook, I would probably have liked listening to rather than reading the actual book, because you have the chemistry of the QI elves.
January 28, 2018
It's basically all the facts from No Such Thing As A Fish condensed into one long audiobook.
If you like the podcast you'll enjoy it, but if you're an avid listener, there's a lot of re-cycled material here.
I would recommend the audiobook over the paper version though, as the unscripted interactions between the narrators are some of the best bits.
If you like the podcast you'll enjoy it, but if you're an avid listener, there's a lot of re-cycled material here.
I would recommend the audiobook over the paper version though, as the unscripted interactions between the narrators are some of the best bits.
January 23, 2018
Like a low-key nine hour version of the podcast. Ranked lower than I might have normally because it's hard to justify the cost for something not significantly different from another thing you can get free on a weekly basis.
January 29, 2018
3,5
Highly entertaining, although as a fan of the podcast (No Such Thing As A Fish) I recognised a lot of the facts.
Highly entertaining, although as a fan of the podcast (No Such Thing As A Fish) I recognised a lot of the facts.
January 12, 2018
Loved it! So interesting and silly and I feel like I'll be whipping out fun facts all year long. Can't wait for next years!
May 26, 2019
From the creative minds behind the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast which in turn comes from the brains behind the facts that go into the panel show QI, comes a compendium of unusual, funny, intellectual, daft and downright weird facts from throughout the year of 2017.
There's no prolonged prose throughout the book and instead we are presented with a list of facts from A through to Z with a description of each with interesting insights. Each fact stands out for it's unusual nature, as much like the facts in QI they all seem surprising in their own unique and bizarre way.
Breaking up the book are transcripts of conversations from the podcast, where the team discuss the facts that they've discovered. These are witty interludes and have on occasion made me chuckle out loud. The groups personalities really come through and I can remember listening to some of the facts on the actual podcast.
I did find the book a struggle, not because it's bad but just because I personally found it difficult to digest in the form it's presented. It's really a coffee table or loo time book, to read a few short facts every so often, where as every time I picked it up it was with the intention of finishing it, so I'd do a chunk and then leave it for months whilst I worked through a piece of fiction on the side. This is my own fault and for somebody more into non fiction reading I imagine this would score higher.
That being said, everything is well researched, well written and above all, entertaining! I won't spoil the book by relaying any specific facts, but there's not an entry that didn't interest me somewhat in the entire book.
Definitely recommended for fans of QI, the podcast or for people who just want something to dip in and out of which has some truly interesting, funny and unusual facts from 2017.
There's no prolonged prose throughout the book and instead we are presented with a list of facts from A through to Z with a description of each with interesting insights. Each fact stands out for it's unusual nature, as much like the facts in QI they all seem surprising in their own unique and bizarre way.
Breaking up the book are transcripts of conversations from the podcast, where the team discuss the facts that they've discovered. These are witty interludes and have on occasion made me chuckle out loud. The groups personalities really come through and I can remember listening to some of the facts on the actual podcast.
I did find the book a struggle, not because it's bad but just because I personally found it difficult to digest in the form it's presented. It's really a coffee table or loo time book, to read a few short facts every so often, where as every time I picked it up it was with the intention of finishing it, so I'd do a chunk and then leave it for months whilst I worked through a piece of fiction on the side. This is my own fault and for somebody more into non fiction reading I imagine this would score higher.
That being said, everything is well researched, well written and above all, entertaining! I won't spoil the book by relaying any specific facts, but there's not an entry that didn't interest me somewhat in the entire book.
Definitely recommended for fans of QI, the podcast or for people who just want something to dip in and out of which has some truly interesting, funny and unusual facts from 2017.
September 28, 2020
I'm a sucker for an alphabetical list and a sucker for trivia. So an alphabetical list of trivia is a rather magical experience for me. The first literary output of the podcast "No Such Thing as a Fish" composed of researchers from the show QI - it is essentially a distillation of strange oddities from the year 2017. A year they were quite sure, was the darkest possible and needed lightening. Oh my sweet summer children.
It's a handsome hardback with a really lovely black-and-yellow colour scheme as per the podcast, the relentless trivia can be fairly dry as the only thing to break it up are small interludes which I think are essentially transcripts of their discussions on the podcast. I mean, how else do you adapt an audio form into print? The trivia, alphabetised under headings and written into pithy paragraphs (as well as factual "asides" in the margins is well arranged and they make it quite easy to refer BACK to as well (handy for any pub argument) with "see alsos" if you knew it was something ABOUT Trump but not sure exactly what it was you wanted to refer to. There are also a fair amount of fiddly and functional little cartoony doodles strewn about by Adam Doughty which don't add buckets to the package but enliven the text somewhat.
I did learn things, despite it being the past, which is always appreciated - and it's a pleasant thought that there are two more in the same mold from 2018 and 2019 to consume at some point. If you're a fan of QI, a fan of the podcast, a fan of not thinking about the bleak chaos of this current year or a fan of alphabetized trivia in general THEN THIS IS FOR YOU.
It's a handsome hardback with a really lovely black-and-yellow colour scheme as per the podcast, the relentless trivia can be fairly dry as the only thing to break it up are small interludes which I think are essentially transcripts of their discussions on the podcast. I mean, how else do you adapt an audio form into print? The trivia, alphabetised under headings and written into pithy paragraphs (as well as factual "asides" in the margins is well arranged and they make it quite easy to refer BACK to as well (handy for any pub argument) with "see alsos" if you knew it was something ABOUT Trump but not sure exactly what it was you wanted to refer to. There are also a fair amount of fiddly and functional little cartoony doodles strewn about by Adam Doughty which don't add buckets to the package but enliven the text somewhat.
I did learn things, despite it being the past, which is always appreciated - and it's a pleasant thought that there are two more in the same mold from 2018 and 2019 to consume at some point. If you're a fan of QI, a fan of the podcast, a fan of not thinking about the bleak chaos of this current year or a fan of alphabetized trivia in general THEN THIS IS FOR YOU.
March 26, 2018
I love the podcast and was happy to support it by buying this book. But I think the central premise is off--by focusing on the news from 2017, so much of this ended up being unintentionally depressing. And there is SO MUCH TRUMP. He's on almost every page, and it just seemed like confirmation of his own supposition that he's the center of the universe. I'm never going to find him funny and seeing his name over and over and over again... ugh. I loved the snippets of conversation from the podcast, and I must say the book was beautifully put together--the alphabetical structure really added to the humor, and the illustrations and formatting were very well done, and it did make me laugh out loud at times. Next time I'd love to see a round-up of weird animal facts, or some other theme that isn't based on the news cycle.
January 3, 2018
If you enjoy the 'No Such Thing as a Fish' podcast (and, quite probably, even if you don't but enjoy trivia) I feel that you are extremely likely to enjoy this book. They have gone to a lot of effort to try to maintain the feel of the podcast in the book and seem to have largely succeeded. Just a couple of minor quibbles; Not sure of the need for the, let's be generous and call it, artwork and I don't see the need for the regular sections of cross-referencing, looks a whole lot like padding to me.
November 18, 2018
I absolutely love the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast, it’s a podcast from the QI Elves, the researchers behind the hit show. While the podcast features each person sharing their favourite facts from the week this book is an A-Z look at some of the weirder facts and news stories from 2017. This is a wonderful coffee table book, perfect for dipping in and out off to learn new random knowledge that may one day prove useful in a pub quiz! If you’re a fan of the podcast I’d recommend the audiobook which I also own, it’s like an incredibly extended podcast!
January 11, 2018
We all know a lot of weird things happened in 2017. We might even remember some of them. But the folks from the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast talk about weird things every week, and have collected a bunch of them in this book. All are strange, and most are hilarious, from aardvarks to zyzzyva (it's a word, really). You'll almost certainly learn something reading this book, though how useful that may be is questionable. And you'll laugh while doing it.
February 26, 2018
No Such Thing as a Fish's "Book of the Year" is a delight. Like others here, I listened to the audiobook version. No, it's not as spontaneous as their podcast, and yes, there are a good number of facts which have already been discussed in the podcast. That said, it was a fun and lighthearted listen—well worth using this month's Audible credit on.
The bottom line: if you like the podcast, read or listen to this.
The bottom line: if you like the podcast, read or listen to this.
January 28, 2019
I love the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast, as it is yet another wonderful part of the world of QI. Reading the random wonderful info they've collected this year was a lot of fun, and I always enjoy when things are nicely alphabetized. I did remove one star because, as an American, I am just so done with Trump's stupidity and he's mentioned in this just far too many times for my liking. I need more world history and facts and less of his dumbassery!
January 17, 2025
I was listening to No Such Thing As a Fish when I remembered I have this, so I’m joining the party… 8 years late. Oh how I love the Q.I. Team. What a year 2017 was. Our sentient turnip was fresh in office, Dali was exhumed and proved Not The Father, the inventor of the Hawaiian pizza died, and a felon named Felony was charged… with a felony. I learned about the sand mafia, the Taliban’s green initiative, and gynecologists’ warnings not to shove wasps’ nests up vaginas.
December 30, 2017
Listening to the audiobook version was very similar to the podcast experience that I have grown to love over the past couple of years. The facts, as always, are incredibly interesting and often very amusing and the charisma and banter between the hosts helps it gel nicely together and manages to make something that could be dry, quite entertaining.
March 8, 2018
I'd only ever listened to one No Such Thing As A Fish podcast so this all pretty new to me and after reading I can see why it is so popular. Lots of great silly facts about 2017 and I found it a perfect sleep book as it was in bite size chunks it was easy to ready and stop when I was too tired.
I'll be buying the book of 2018 for sure.
I'll be buying the book of 2018 for sure.
August 18, 2018
If you're a fan of the podcast or QI then you'll love this book. I was a little disappointed that some of the facts in the book had already been stated on the podcast so I'd already heard them. For the most part though, it was an amusing and interesting summary of the year 2017. Looking forward to the Book of the Year 2018.
July 13, 2024
Not as good as the real thing, ie: audio podcast. Really want to see them live. They’re coming to Sydney. I’m in Castlemaine. This makes it impossible as they’re British and Sydney is too far for me.
This book though! Super fun but tainted by my unstoppable need to read these mad facts aloud to my family, who do not like it. At. All.
This book though! Super fun but tainted by my unstoppable need to read these mad facts aloud to my family, who do not like it. At. All.
January 9, 2018
A work of utter genius by the hosts of the ‘No Such Thing As A Fish’ podcast (and writers of QI). Just brilliant. If you have any interest in quirky trivia and hilarious social satire - or even if you don’t - you should read this now. Right now. Go on, I’ll wait.
January 12, 2018
Bought this simply to support the podcast, however found it to be totally engrossing and fantastic (much like the podcast, I guess). Highly recommended if you're in to pointless facts and trivia (like me).
January 23, 2018
If you are an avid "No Such Thing as a Fish" fan as a I am, this is the perfect book to read. This book oozes with the charm and wit of the contributors to the podcast. Would recommend to those who even like the show QI but have never listened to the podcast.
April 8, 2018
Loved the humor! I only wish "Behind The Gills" was available in English (US) instead of only English (UK), English (Austrailia), English (New Zealand), English (Canada), English (South Africa), and so on.
April 30, 2018
It's a fun book, and I'd recommend the audiobook over the physical book. It really is more like a really long No Such Thing As A Fish-podcast in the audiobook-version. Though less quips, they try to stick more to the text, but there's some additional remarks that aren't in the physical book.
May 5, 2018
This is a good book for the loo. Dip in and out :). It has some pretty good examples of crazy during 2017. Some I had heard about so on that basis, while unbelievable at times, it is probably true. Heaven help all of us.
December 22, 2018
I thought I should read the first one before I read the sequel. This was a fun trawl through some of the more obscure news stories and trivia of 2017, very much like a text-based version of the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast.
April 18, 2021
Eh. I'm a fan of the NSTAAF podcast, have listened to every episode, and they've covered all of this in their podcasts - even word for word transcripts every 50 pages or so. The only new content seemed to be some of the little asides which were interesting but small.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews