The perfect gift for all those big and little kids in your life who ask 'why...?'. With an introduction from Zoe Ball.

The QI Elves are the brains behind the enduringly popular BBC TV panel show QI.

Every Wednesday the Elves appear on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show where they answer the ponderings and wonderings of BBC Radio 2's most inquisitive listeners.

Dive into this splendid collection of listeners' unusual questions and some unexpected answers that are sure to make your head spin on topics ranging from goosebumps to grapefruit, pizza to pirates and everything in-between. Generously sprinkled with extra facts and questions from the Elves, Funny You Should Ask . . . is essential reading for the incurably curious.

How much water would you need to put out the Sun?
If spiders can walk on the ceiling, why can't they get out of the bath?
Why do dads make such bad jokes?
Why does red mean 'stop' and green mean 'go'?
Can I dig a tunnel to the other side of the Earth?
How do plant seeds know which way is up?
Can you fill up a black hole?
Who popularised the recorder, and where can I get hold of them?

For more from the team behind QI, visit qi.com. You can also follow QI's fact-filled Twitter account @qikipedia and listen to their weekly podcast at nosuchthingasafish.com

For more mind-boggling nuggets of wisdom check out the QI FACTS SERIES

Local historian Adam Sowan has explored the town of Reading has to offer, and presents here a challenging set of questions to stimulate the reader's curiosity and develop a deeper acquaintance with this much-maligned town.

Continuing the amusing, interesting, factual, and sometimes ridiculous bits of information in "A Treasury of Texas Trivia", this second volume brings you all-new entertaining tidbits some of them useful historical facts and some just for fun.
Among these are: Some of the bizarre ways Texas towns and regions have gained lasting recognition.Supporting actors in the cast of leading characters in the development of Texas.Skeletons in the closet of our great state and some less-than-brag-worthy incidents from the past.Incredible but true stories found only in Texas.Minor reflections of history trivia not taught in school.This is truly a book the whole family can read and enjoy.

A revised and expanded reissue containing over 1,200 brain-teasing questions on the legendary works of J.R.R. Tolkien, published to coincide with the release of the third and final The Lord of The Rings movie. How many Hobbits joined the Fellowship of the Ring? What colour is the Orcs' skin? Why did Gandalf have difficulty in opening the West-door of Khazad-dum? Who betrayed Berien and Luthien to Thingol? What was Farmer Giles' full name? The worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, from the saga of Middle-earth to a brief visit to Wootton Major, are so rich and varied that they inspire legions of followers of different ages. This peerless revised and expanded quiz book offers over 1,200 questions and answers, including easy starter questions and more difficult tie-breakers, to test the range and depth of your knowledge. And whereas every right answer will confirm your mastery over your subject, every wrong answer will be a learning experience all of its own!

Breverton's Nautical Curiosities is arranged into thematic chapters:1) 1) The ocean environment - animals, geography, geology, weather, coasts, islands2) 2) Ship types and parts - from the first boat to the latest cutting-edge technology1) 3) People - heroes, heroines, pirates, sailors, captains 2) 4) Disasters, battles, wars3) 5) Literature - stories, myths, legends, proclamations, acts, orders 4) 6) Nautical sayings and slang Breverton's Nautical Curiosities is about ships, people and the sea. However, unlike many other nautical compendiums, the focus of this book is on the unusual, the overlooked or the downright extraordinary. Thus, someone most of us do not know, Admiral William Brown, is given equal coverage to Admiral Nelson. Without Admiral Brown releasing Garibaldi, modern Italy might not exist. And without the barely known genius John Ericsson designing the Monitor, the Confederacy might have won the American Civil War. Readers will be stimulated to read more about the remarkable men - explorers, admirals and trawlermen - who have shaped our world. The sea has had a remarkable effect upon our language. We hear the terms 'steer clear of', 'hit the deck', 'don't rock the boat', 'to harbour a grudge' and the like, and give little thought to them. In the pages of this book, the reader will find the origin of 'bumpkin', a 'brace of shakes', 'born with a silver spoon', 'booby prize', 'to take on board', 'above board', 'bombed' (in the sense of being drunk), the 'blues', 'blind-side', 'blind drunk', 'the pot calling the kettle black', 'reach the bitter end', 'wasters', 'ahoy', 'all at sea', 'to keep aloof', 'piss-artist', 'taken aback', 'barbecue'' and 'bamboozle'. Other colourful terms, which have passed out of common usage, such as 'bring one's arse to anchor' (sit down), 'belly timber' (food) and 'bog orange' (potato) are also included, as well as important pirate haunts, technical terms, famous battles, maritime inventors and ship speed records.

How much do you really know about Arsenal? Put your Gunners knowledge to the test with this bumper book of brainteaser quizzes and fascinating facts, beautifully illustrated by one of the world's leading sports artists. It's packed with trivia on all the great Arsenal sides and players - from Chapman's champions to Mee's double winners and Wenger's 'invincibles', from Adams, Wright, Bergkamp and Henry to Pepe and Partey - providing hours of highly dippable fun and entertainment. Which player was nicknamed 'The Little Mozart'? Which England international appeared with Diana Dors and Thora Hird in a 1953 film? Who is the only World Cup Golden Shoe-winner to have played for Arsenal? Who was the only Arsenal player in the GB football squad at the 2012 Olympics? Which player fronted a worldwide ad campaign as a Calvin Klein underwear model? Trivquiz Arsenal holds the answers to all these questions and hundreds more.

The eye-popping, gob-smacking, rib-tickling phenomenon that is QI serves up a brand new selection of 1,423 facts to bowl you over.

Iceland imports ice cubes

A group of ladybirds is called a loveliness

It is illegal in Saudi Arabia to name a child Sandi

Eight billion particles of fog can fit into a teaspoon

People who read books live longer than people who don't

Prince Philip was born on a kitchen table in Corfu

No human beings have ever had sex in space

Netflix's biggest competitor is sleep

Mice sigh up to 40 times an hour

Forget crosswords or Sudoku! The Maps Quiz Book is the ultimate activity book to improve your navigation skills, wherever you may be in the world. Featuring 50 maps that cover subjects and places from around the globe, this book includes a range of historical, modern and fictional maps that will please any map aficionado. Each map comes with three different levels of questions under the headings Easy, Medium and Difficult, and all answers are included at the back of the book. The questions in The Maps Quiz Book don't require any prior cartographic knowledge, so this brain teaser book will suit the whole family. In no time you'll be expanding your knowledge and navigating your way through streets, geographic wonders and amazing facts via maps from around the world. A perfect gift for the navigator in your life, for ages 10 upwards.

Mary Queen of Scots is perhaps one of the most controversial and divisive monarchs in regal history. Her story reads like a particularly spicy novel, with murder, kidnap, adultery, assassination and execution. To some she is one of the most wronged women in history, a pawn used and abused by her family in the great monarchical marriage game; to others, a murderous adulteress who committed regicide to marry her lover and then spent years in captivity for the crime, endlessly plotting the demise of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. This book covers the breathtaking scope of her amazing life and examines the immense cultural legacy she left behind, from the Schiller play of the 1800s to The CW teen drama Reign. Temptress, terrorist, or tragic queen, this book will give you the lowdown on one of history's most misunderstood monarchs.

Would you say thank you for a bad haircut? How do you feel about surprise parties? Have you ever cheated in an exam?

Based in the fascinating science of personality, these 100 multiple-choice cards provide playful insights into how (and why) our day-to-day decisions define who we are. Play alone or with your partner, friends or colleagues to discover the unique make-up of your personality and how it can help you thrive.

BASED IN THE FASCINATING SCIENCE OF PERSONALITY, so you can unlock a unique reading

PLAY ALONE OR WITH FRIENDS as you get to know yourself and others in a whole new light

WRITTEN BY AN EXPERT in behavioural science, Dr Sanna Balsari-Palsule PhD

Looking for the perfect gift for that boating enthusiast in your life? Or that trivia buff who has everything? Well, you've found the answer in "Name that Boat!" .Or maybe you're the one who loves a challenge?"Name that Boat!" is the saltiest book ashore and will tease and please you with it's interesting, intriguing and wide-ranging questions taken from boats real and imagined. History, TV, literature, movies-you name that boat and chances are you'll find it here.Read "Name that Boat!" and amaze and surprise with your knowledge of this specialized area of trivia. After all, how many of us know the name of the boat that brought the Statue of Liberty to America?. or Lt. Pinkerton to his Madam Butterfly?. or the Maltese Falcon to San Francisco?. and thinking of Bogart.the name of the boat he and Katherine Hepburn brought to stardom on the big screen?.Yes, "Name that Boat!" is the gift that will be enjoyed and shared by everyone who loves boating or trivia. Be sure to surprise that special person with this unique gift. Perfect for those 'hard to buy for' readers and sailors.

Each of these collections of unusual, interesting, and little-known tales provides insight into the people and history of these states. Counter displays of all books are available. All are illustrated and indexed.

In "A Treasury of Tennessee Tales" you'll discover:

Who painted "See Rock City" signs on barns?

What man, born in Nashville, became president of Nicaragua?

What were the best excuses moonshiners gave to the "revenooers" when their stills were discovered.

How Nathan Bedford Forrest won a naval battle in Tennessee during the Civil War.

Attractive, take-anywhere, write-in quiz book that offers a daily dose of self-discovery "Who Are You? Test Your Personality" is perfect for a handbag, briefcase, or knapsack This entertaining and enlightening quiz book is great to have on hand anytime and anywhere, be it a long commute, a waiting room, or an evening at home. "Who Are You? Test Your Personality" is a a collection of 40 tests designed to answer who you are, how you got that way, and what, if anything, you can or should do to change.Each quiz can be taken in just a few minutes and is easily scored. With a fun, modern cloth cover, elastic closure and overall great package you will want to show off this clever quiz book wherever you go Other titles in this series: "Who Are You? Test Your Emotional Intelligence""How Smart Are You? Test Your Math IQHow Smart Are You? Test Your IQ"

While researching background on the lives of Maine lobster fishermen's families for her recent novel The Summer I Dared, best-selling novelist Barbara Delinsky was captivated by all the interesting, amusing, and surprising information she turned up. She collected much of it in this little book, arranged in an entertaining question and answer format. She will be donating her proceeds to the Barbara Delinsky Charitable Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

How much do you know about Scottish history? We all know bits of it. This book by the authors of Scottish History: Strange but True sets out to show how these 'bits' fit together - how the characters and events of Scottish history made the country of Scotland. We do not ponder 'WHY?' we demand 'HOW?' How was Scotland founded by refugees? How did the Vikings make Scotland happen? How did King David save Scotland AND give it away? How did Robert the Bruce forget Scottish history? How did a King of Scots declare war on Scotland? How did the Jacobites win every round, yet get smashed in the final - twice? How did Scotland embrace kilts and tartan after it banned them?

Test your 90s knowledge with this awesome trivia card game! Welcome to the Best of the '90s, a fun trivia game that will take you on a sentimental journey through an exceptionally unforgettable decade! In this game you'll find 60 trivia cards with over 470 questions on the following subjects: Movies, Television, Music, Popular Culture, Politics, Sports, and Toys & Games. The questions probe topics ranging from Britney Spears to the Clinton years, from Pocahontas to Pokemon, and from eBay to Y2K. So, gather your Friends around, break out the Crystal Pepsi, open the Dunkaroos and take a Quantum Leap back to The Wonder Years!

Several decades ago the boxer "Kid" McCoy was sent to San Quentin for the murder of his girlfriend. A taciturn prisoner, McCoy once blurted to his warden: "You know who I am, don't you-I'm McCoy, not one of those Hollywood types or the kind you find in made-up stories in the pulps. I'm the real McCoy." How much do you know about the real McCoys-and Suttons, Capones, Mansons, and Oswalds? The True Crime Quiz Book is filled with hundreds of questions to help you find out, in varying degrees of difficulty for anyone from the casual armchair detective to the most perceptive crime historian. Who done it...and why? Who beat it...and when? Who cracked it...and how? Here is the definitive testing ground for aficionados of real life crime. The True Crime Quiz Book lets you test yourself in all facets of criminal misdoing, and the Master Sleuth scoring shows how you stand against the best lawmen. The True Crime Quiz Book has hundreds of criminal teasers to satisfy even the most insatiable crime buffs.

Ever wondered how fat Henry VIII really was? Or what made Mary I 'Bloody'? Over many hundreds of years, British royalty has had its fair share of accidents, rumours, scandals, misrepresentations and misconceptions. For instance, could Richard III be innocent of the deaths of the 'Princes in the Tower'? And what really happened between Queen Victoria and her Highland servant John Brown? In today's world, where newspapers clamour to report new revelations about the Royal Family, this informative and quirky book gives the inquisitive reader an in-depth look at the secrets of our past royals. For anyone curious about what went on behind the palace walls, Raymond Lamont-Brown answers those intriguing, confusing and mysterious questions we might have about our monarchs.

You Watch Too Much TV is a Book of Lists for the television generation, offering fun facts and quizzes on Leave It To Beaver, Everybody Loves Raymond, and just about every show in between. Examples of a couple of debate-inspiring questions: Where in the city did Ralph Kramden's upstairs neighbor Ed Norton work on The Honeymooners? In the city's sewers; Who was the first to be voted off the island on the first episode of Survivor? Sonja Christopher

Test your knowledge of Parks and Recreation -- from the hilarious characters and quotable lines to the funniest and most memorable moments -- with this one-of-a-kind trivia collection based on the entire series: * First brush up on your knowledge with the Parks and Recreation Episode Guide, an 88-page paperback book (3" x 5") packed with 60-word plot synopses of all 125 episodes, including the name of the episode and episode number, with full-color art throughout. * Then gather your favorite friends for a lightning round of trivia with a set of 50 trivia cards (and 1 instruction card), featuring 200 questions to test your expertise of Parks and Recreation. * Store the episode guide and trivia deck together in the handsome full-color printed magnetic closure box.