A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts for Curious Humans Who Have Nothing Better to Do Than Read - by Jess Zafarris & Shannon Miller (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts is the ultimate collection for curious minds who love to discover unexpected facts at every turn.

This playful, engaging collection of intriguing information is perfect for dipping into at a moment's notice. With a mix of history, science, pop culture, and quirky trivia, A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts delivers an eye-popping array of little-known information that will make readers think, cringe, and marvel at the oddities of the world.

This book features fascinating lists, unusual facts, and the kind of trivia readers will love. Every page offers something new: from secret government programs and forgotten world-changing inventions to biological mysteries and natural events that defy the laws of science. And scattered throughout are special word origin notes, shedding light on the often surprising histories of everyday words and expressions. Topics covered include:

- Arts & Media
- History
- Language & Literature
- Science & Innovation
- Geography & Nature
- Pop Culture & Creativity
- Mysteries & Curiosities
- Guides & How Tos

Whether they're in need of a brief mental escape during a break or seeking to impress friends with their knowledge of bizarre facts, A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts has something for everyone--the perfect companion for those who love discovering something new and fascinating (and weird) with each flip of the page.

About the Author

Jess Zafarris is the author of several books which focus on the history and power of words and language including Once Upon a Word (Rockridge Press 2020), Words from Hell (Chamber 2023) and Useless Etymology (Chambers 2025). She has also contributed to The Game Master's Book of Legendary Locations (Media Lab Books 2025) and the tabletop game League of the Lexicon. Jess also teaches courses about social media, storytelling, and journalism at institutions such as Emerson College, where she is an adjunct professor. In addition, Jess has been profiled in the Boston Globe, quoted in The New York Times and The Guardian, interviewed on NPR, and appeared as a guest on many podcasts including Something You Should Know and Dear Hank and John. Jess has 99K followers on TikTok.

Shannon Miller is a writer and editor. She has worked as Adweek's managing editor of creativity, the creator economy and DEI and as The A.V. Club's news editor. A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts is her first book. Shannon has 10K followers on X.