trivia time

The next meeting of Books & Beyond (BAB) will be on Tuesday, November 29th at 6:30pm and the topic up for discussion will be biography, autobiography, and memoir.  Books, film, podcast...you get to pick!

Here are some upcoming programs here at the library in which you may have interest:

Sat, Nov 5 from 1-3pm:  An Afternoon with the Author: Will Bowron

Wed, Nov 9 from 1-2pm:  The Seasoned Performers present "Abbott and Costello...Encore!"

Sun, Nov 13 from 7-9pm: a screening of Nosferatu with a live score from local musician Chayse Porter

Tue, Nov 15 from 10am to 12pm Medicare: What You Need to Know ,with Michael Wimberly

Wed, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm: Sound Café listening party for Kate Bush’s The Dreaming

This week, BAB met to discuss trivia/general knowledge books.

Serial Killer Trivia: Fascinating Facts and Disturbing Details by Michelle Kaminsky

Perfect for any murderino, true crime junkie or connoisseur of macabre tales, this fact-packed book quizzes readers on their true crime knowledge and offers fascinating stories of well-known murderers as well as lesser-known, but just as nefarious, killers. You’ll be surprised at how many fascinating tidbits you’ll learn about the world’s most cold-blooded and dangerous people.

Murder Maps USA: Crime Scenes Revisited; Bloodstains to Ballistics, 1865-1939 by Adam Selzer

Vivid and intriguing, Murder Maps USA plots the most remarkable American homicides between the Civil War and WWII onto maps and plans, alongside haunting crime scene photographs and compelling expert analysis.

In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet

With fiery prose and arguments that range from the scholarly to the cultural, In Defense of Witches seeks to unite the mythic image of the witch with modern women who seek to live their lives on their own terms.

The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks by Amy Stewart

Of all the extraordinary and obscure plants that have been fermented and distilled, a few are dangerous, some are downright bizarre, and one is as ancient as dinosaurs—but each represents a unique cultural contribution to our global drinking traditions and our history.

Who’s on Worst?: The Lousiest Players, Biggest Cheaters, Saddest Goats, and Other Antiheroes in Baseball History by Filip Bondy

Filip Bondy wields formidable research, advanced sabermetrics and his considerable wit to provide this indispensable guide to the less glorious side of our national pastime. Each chapter is filled with rich and colorful stories of the players unfortunate enough to be chosen in each category and is followed by a handy top-ten list, such as Most Overpaid Yankees.

Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker

Exploring and explaining a litany of glitches, near misses, and mathematical mishaps involving the internet, big data, elections, street signs, lotteries, the Roman Empire, and an Olympic team, Matt Parker uncovers the bizarre ways math trips us up, and what this reveals about its essential place in our world. Getting it wrong has never been more fun.

Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored by Lorraine Harrison

Full of expert instruction and practical guidance, Latin for Gardeners will allow novices and green thumbs alike to better appreciate the seemingly esoteric names behind the plants they work with, and to expertly converse with fellow enthusiasts. Soon they will realize that having a basic understanding of Latin before trips to the nursery or botanic garden is like possessing some knowledge of French before traveling to Paris; it enriches the whole experience.

Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway

Floriography, or the “language of flowers,” has been practiced for thousands of years across different cultures. It was especially popular during the 19th century in Victorian England. Learning the meaning and symbol behind each flower became a popular pastime. Originally published in 1884, this lovely volume contains an illustrated glossary of the meaning behind a wide variety of flowers.

A Victorian Flower Dictionary by Nancy Kirkby

Daffodils signal new beginnings, daisies innocence. Lilacs mean the first emotions of love, periwinkles tender recollection. Early Victorians used flowers as a wa
y to express their feelings—love or grief, jealousy or devotion. Now, modern-day romantics are enjoying a resurgence of this bygone custom, and this book will share the historical, literary, and cultural significance of flowers with a whole new generation.

Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers by Jessica Roux (not available in the JCLC, request from Interlibrary Loan)

A charming, gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia for your favorite romantic, local witch, bride-to-be, or green-thumbed friend.

Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy by Claire McNear

Jeopardy! is a lot of things: record-setting game show, beloved family tradition, and proving ground for many of North America's best and brightest. Nearly four decades into its current edition, Jeopardy! now finds itself facing unprecedented change. This is the chronicle of how the show became a cross-generational touchstone and where it's going next.

The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design by Roman Mars

Roman Mars and coauthor Kurt Kohlstedt zoom in on the various elements that make our cities work, exploring the origins and other fascinating stories behind everything from power grids and fire escapes to drinking fountains and street signs. With deeply researched entries and beautiful line drawings throughout, The 99% Invisible City will captivate devoted fans of the podcast (simply called 99% Invisible) and anyone curious about design, urban environments, and the unsung marvels of the world around them.