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What If?
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions | Randall Munroe
From the creator of the wildly popular webcomic xkcd, hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to askMillions of people visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe's iconic webcomic. His stick-figure drawings about science, technology, language, and love have an enormous, dedicated following, as do his deeply researched answers to his fans' strangest questions.The queries he receives range from merely odd to downright diabolical: What if I took a swim in a spent-nuclear-fuel pool? Could you build a jetpack using downward-firing machine guns? What if a Richter 15 earthquake hit New York City? Are fire tornadoes possible?His responses are masterpieces of clarity and wit, gleefully and accurately explaining everything from the relativistic effects of a baseball pitched at near the speed of light to the many horrible ways you could die while building a periodic table out of all the actual elements.The book features new and never-before-answered questions, along with the most popular answers from the xkcd website.What If? is an informative feast for xkcd fans and anyone who loves to ponder the hypothetical.
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Sharpeipup
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Science based mind benders that I find fascinating.

📸 xkcd website

26 likes1 stack add
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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

I didn't realize science could be so funny...and that there are really bizarre questiona out there. This was a fun and easy read with legitimate answers that someone who isn't mathematically or science inclined can understand. This is part of my #readmorenonfiction challenge.

43 likes3 stack adds
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Kenyazero
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Enjoying a webinar Q&A with the author of one of my favorite web comics thanks to my library and the Library Speakers Consortium! I haven't read any of Randall's books, but it sounds like I need to! #Science #AuthorTalk

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eol
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Pickpick

Pretty random. In turns hilarious, ridiculous, and wildly interesting. Disconnected and rambly, though, similar to how podcasts often are—that‘s why I can rarely listen to them. I need me some string—in case of #nonfiction, not necessarily plot; just an overarching progression—to hang onto. Here, there‘s a clear theme, but that string is missing. A pick—because #science & #humor—but just barely.

3.5/5

eol (Also, funny reading a speculation from 2014 about potential pandemic responses and trying to eradicate common cold...) 1y
8 likes1 comment
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Skeeterisme
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Mehso-so

Not quite my thing

Twainy I think Wil Wheaton narrates the audiobook .. it‘s not bad. 1y
Skeeterisme @Twainy Agree! It‘s not bad at all. Just not my genre of trivia and inane facts. Wil Wheaton is a great narrator and the book is well done. (edited) 1y
40 likes2 comments
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LeafingThroughLife
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Mehso-so

Munroe‘s serious answers to insane questions are interesting and amusing but started to drag for me after the halfway point. Turns out I can hold out through only so many complex mathematical explanations before my eyes begin to glaze over a bit. That said, Wil Wheaton‘s wry narration in combination with Munroe‘s sarcastic edge kept me coming back despite all the math. Glad I went with the audio for this one!

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suvata
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On my way through the #PromptMaze
@TheAromaofBooks

DrexEdit Nice! This is a cool map of your progress! 2y
suvata @DrexEdit Thanks. I love these little challenges. 2y
TheAromaofBooks Yes!!! I love this!! I have been stranded on H3 for a while 😂 2y
BennettBookworm I love the prompt maze and I love your visual here!! 2y
46 likes4 comments
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suvata
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Mehso-so

The title really says it all:
“What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions”

Informative, humorous and downright mind-boggling.

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DarkPizza
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Pickpick

Fun and funny science book. I tend to zone out a bit during long technical or mathematical explanations but that's not a huge criticism, and it was made up for by getting the answers to all these weird questions that I didn't know I wanted answered.

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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

Omg this book is fantastic! 😂
Munroe, NASA brain turned cartoonist, answers absurd questions with a whole lot of science (and usually turning the answers into an evil genius‘ weekend plans).
The audio book is narrated by Wil Wheaton who has the perfect mix of sarcasm and seriousness that this book calls for.

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Randall answers absurd questions with hard science in this book based on his web comic series. For example, what if all the rain on the planet fell in a single drop? Or, is it possible to construct a Lego bridge from NYC to London that you can drive on? The answers are certainly interesting! I enjoyed switching between the ebook (with drawings) and the #audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton! 👍🏻

RamsFan1963 I really enjoyed Wil Wheaton's narration on this and the follow up book, How To. 3y
Megabooks @RamsFan1963 I did as well! I read How To a couple of months ago. I wasn‘t familiar with Randall‘s online stuff so I picked up How To blind at an audible sale. 3y
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MusicallyMorgan
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Pickpick

I read “What If?” last year and reference it all the time. Now I have both to show off and reference whenever I want! #merrychristmas #nonfiction #comics

KathyWheeler I loved What If? but haven‘t read the other one. 3y
MusicallyMorgan Same! I‘m going to start it tomorrow! 3y
14 likes2 comments
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royallyregan93
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This book is hilarious! So fun to read and I‘m rolling. #hilarious 🤣

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tularecountylib
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Pickpick

This book just seemed like a good book to read during a pandemic.

I hadn't read the webcomics, and I got the audiobook so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. My favorite bits were actually the questions he didn't answer, but the ones he did were still pretty funny & explored the mechanics of everything that would go horribly wrong. My take-aways; any catastrophe is worse in the nude & never try these at home.
-Erika
Find it on Libby!

BethM I adore that your library is on this platform! 4y
6 likes1 comment
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MusicallyMorgan
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@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks is doing a giveaway!

1. One of my favorites from 2019 was What If? by Randall Munroe. I learned so many interesting (and a few hilarious) facts.
2. I‘m passing the time now by journaling, reading, doing craft projects, and enjoying my time with my dog and husband! And teaching from home, a little, but no one really needs a music teacher during all this.
#5N5giveaway

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m happy you guys are safe and healthy!! Got you added!! 🎈🎉💛 4y
10 likes1 comment
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Querencia
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Pickpick

What an awesome read 🤣🤣🤣 these are not the questions we deserved, but the answers we needed 💯❤🤣 an entertaining fun ride of science and humour through the internet. Definite pick 🤩👍
#science #whatif #randall #fun

Graciouswarriorprincess I just finished it too! I loved it. :) 4y
5 likes1 comment
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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7. Pride and Prejudice
8. I need to think about this.
9. Complete my reading challenges. Five this year. Mount TBR, Pop Sugar, Book Riot, Modern Mrs. Darcy and my local public libraries ones.
10. Curled up with a blanket anywhere.
11. My favorite books as a child where The Giving Tree, The Lorax and The Little Prince.
12. I am tagging @BarkingMadRun .

Please feel free to share image and tag me.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
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1. I am currently reading What If?
2. I couldn‘t chose one but Pride and Prejudice is one that I read every year.
3. Any bookstore! My local independent ones to include Quail Ridge Books, Flyleaf Books and Mcintryre Books.
4. Pride and Prejudice
5. Harry Potter
6. Way too many books!

Please feel free to share and tag me. I am tagging @Bookworm83 , @tpixie , @Theresa , @SoniaC and @DGRachel . #quarantinereadschallenge

tpixie Fun!!!! 4y
BookishMe @Buechersuechtling @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I think here is the provenance 😊😊 4y
Buechersuechtling Thanks for starting the idea, @Graciouswarriorprincess 😄 – and thanks @BookishMe for finding this out 🙇🏽‍♀️. Also spreading the news to @RamsFan1963 😊‼️ 4y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Buechersuechtling You‘re welcome! And thank you to @BookishMe and @RamsFan1963 ! 4y
45 likes1 stack add5 comments
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alexa_d
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Graciouswarriorprincess I am listening to this now and just finished that chapter yesterday. The timing of that question is incredible! Happy reading! (edited) 4y
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Querencia
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I'm in love with this book 🤣🤣❤ it's so funny as well as informative 🤩 random questions from the internet are given serious scientific answers and others like these are..well I couldn't help but share it to you guys 🤣😝
so far, entertaining and awesome 💯❤👍
#science #questions #whatif #funny

LauraJ My book club had so much fun with this book! 4y
Querencia I know right! 🤣 especially those weird questions in my inbox chapters 🤣😝 4y
5 likes2 comments
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saigenobis
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Pickpick

In terms of judging this book by its cover, it is very cute, on the hardcover and the paper outside. In addition, the book inside is awesome! The questions and answers from Munroe are very thought-provoking, and they are also hilarious. I love the little cartoons that go along with the chapters as well, so cute! I recommend this book to anyone who likes to think about the wonders of the world, and weird science stuff.

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erzascarletbookgasm
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#GratefulReads A few #NonFiction books from my shelves.

Also more options for #NFNov reads.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks These look good!! 📚🙌🏻 4y
OriginalCyn620 🙌🏼📚❤️ 4y
rsteve388 1 pt 4y
68 likes3 comments
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

What I learned from this book by the creator of the excellent webcomic, xkcd, is that if you carry out any action far enough, matter either becomes plasma or explodes. Also, people ask him some very odd questions.

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bell7
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Pickpick

Using questions he's received through his website, former NASA roboticist and webcomic artist of xkcd Randall Munroe here answers some outlandish "What ifs". The result is an entertaining Q&A that had me laughing out loud even when I couldn't follow the answer (I never did take physics). The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton, and the book includes humorous stick figure cartoons, so whichever format you choose, you're bound to be entertained.

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KathyWheeler
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Reading a little bit of this tonight, then sleep. Goodnight.

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midath75
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Pickpick

I've had this book in my Audible app for a while and finally got around to listening to, and I couldn't stop. Great book if you're into science and/or chemistry. Will Wheaton made me chuckle more than a few times and made this book a lot of fun to listen to. Highly recommend.

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IamIamIam
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Listening to Adam Savage & Randall Munroe talk about experiments and how not succeeding is vital to the process... and talking about weird situations in between!

julesG Oh, wish I could have been there. This is exactly what makes science so exciting - trial and error and learning from it. 5y
37 likes1 comment
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Redjewel_7734
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Pickpick

This is a delight. If you‘ve ever wanted fun, funny, well thought out & researched answers to some of the most inane hypothetical questions this is the book for you. & what could make it better than having Wil Wheaton read it to you? Really, this is just a pure fun delight & one I will return to when the world is a bit much.

JSW So good!! 5y
Gillyreads I really enjoyed this! 5y
Redjewel_7734 @Gillyreads it‘s just so fun isn‘t it 😊 5y
Gillyreads @Redjewel_7734 it is! We did it on audio, so great. 5y
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

I bailed on this book the first time, too much math made my brain hurt. I tried again with the audio, which was much better, but still at times the math was overwhelming. Will Wheaton is an excellent narrator, which surprised me since his voice usually annoys me. 3 💥💥💥 1/2 out of 5

rretzler I have to say that Wil Wheaton has become my favorite narrator. 5y
RamsFan1963 @rretzler I will say this did make me want to seek out other books Wheaton has narrated. Do you know of any other non-fiction ones he's done? 5y
rretzler Unfortunately, I don‘t. I mainly listen to him read science fiction. He narrated both of Ernest Cline‘s books and many of John Scalzi‘s. Scalzi‘s writing can be sarcastic and Wheaton has an almost deadpan voice which is perfect for Scalzi‘s writing. 5y
RamsFan1963 @rretzler Yes I picked that sarcasm on this book. I knew he narrated The Collapsing Empire and The Consuming Fire, but I've already read them, also Cline's Ready Player One and Armada. 5y
57 likes1 stack add4 comments
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SergejMolotow
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IamIamIam
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Pickpick

This book was a pick for me but I didn't get to finish it because I had 2 holds come in at the same time so I returned this with a handful of chapters to go but it's really quite smart and funny. Wil Wheaton has the perfect sarcastic tone for a book like this and you'll find well researched answers and LOTS of very large numbers. Caffeinate well before approaching this guy.

julesG I bought this ages ago and have only read the first chapter. But this first chapter was great! 5y
IamIamIam @julesG It's definitely a great coffee table book to pick up and read in small snippets. I found myself drifting off from information overload a few times so I checked out for a bit and came back the next day. It's a lot of fun, though! 5y
31 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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IamIamIam
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A cool question: What's the relationship between mother and daughter if the mother's stem cells are used to grow sperm cells. They TOTALLY lost me at role playing statistics instead of simple genetics!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

CSeydel Where do they get a Y chromosome? 5y
IamIamIam @CSeydel They don't, which is why a woman can only have a daughter if she self fertilizes. The determination would be that the child would be close to inbred with severe genetic mutations. After all the D&D jargon, it ended up being quite interesting! 5y
CSeydel No, I meant that genes on the Y chromosome are necessary for sperm cell formation. But a recent reports indicate that may not be true after all. I didn‘t know that. 5y
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CSeydel Why do you say the daughter would have severe genetic mutations? Presumably, if you‘re starting the process by growing sperm from stem cells, you‘re not opposed to pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to weed those out. 5y
IamIamIam @CSeydel The writer did say it's a hypothetical scenario, as almost all the situations in this book are, because recently an article was published saying "sperm like cells" were created, not actual sperm cells capable of actual fertilization. You should check the book out! 5y
CSeydel I have the book 😉 My son read it, I‘ve only browsed it. I‘ll have to look for that scenario! (edited) 5y
IamIamIam @CSeydel Oh that's so funny!!! 5y
CSeydel 🤗 5y
IamIamIam @CSeydel It's chapter 30, Self Fertilization. 😃 5y
29 likes9 comments
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IamIamIam
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This book has too many GINORMOUS numbers for 9am...

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IamIamIam
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Final product! Thanks for following along today, @Tamra @Trashcanman @ravenlee & @kaye! Clearly, I thought my appliques were much larger than they actually were. My daughter asked how the Tooth Fairy will be able to tell where she put her teeth! Lol

ravenlee Oh, I like it! I guess if the Tooth Fairy has any trouble you could add something in the middle. 😆 5y
IamIamIam @ravenlee Lol, like a flashing light? ? I said to her, "You really think the Tooth Fairy could miss this thing?" ?? 5y
Trashcanman Super sweet! That skill It amazes me. Looks cute. 5y
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IamIamIam @Trashcanman Thanks so much! You could totally do it. You wrap yarn around a hook & pull that hook through a hole! Now knitting uses 2 hands... that I don't get. LOL 5y
AmyG I have tried a few times to crochet and failed miserably. Got frustrated and stopped. This is just adorable. @Trashcanman It amazes me, too. 5y
IamIamIam @AmyG Aww, I know you could do it! I teach at a high school for their continuing education program. Sometimes it's easier to learn from someone or from YouTube rather than trying to learn on your own. 5y
AmyG Ha. I tried both. Maybe some day I will actually learn. 5y
JoScho Super cute! 5y
AmyG @Trashcanman 👆🏻 5y
Tamra Very cute though! 5y
32 likes11 comments
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IamIamIam
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"Think of the elements as dangerous radioactive short lived Pokemon."
"You do not want to catch them all."

??? My favorite chapter so far!!! This guy is hysterical!

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IamIamIam
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Next book, still waiting...

Trashcanman That was fast 5y
IamIamIam @Trashcanman Thanks! Luckily it's going to be small so I'm about halfway done. Unfortunately, I forgot a scissor. 😖 5y
ravenlee That‘s some good progress! 5y
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IamIamIam @ravenlee Thanks!!! I always think I crochet really slowly but I think I'm just easily distracted. 🤣 5y
Kaye Whatcha making, and what‘s the name of your yarn ? It‘s very pretty (edited) 5y
IamIamIam @Kaye Thank you! I'm making a tooth fairy pillow for my daughter. I have little tooth appliques at home so I'll put that on after I stuff it. 😁 I have a wrapper on another ball of yarn at home so I'll post in a bit. I'm going on over 2 hours at Pep Boys. 🤪 I know it was $1 from AC Moore! Lol 5y
Kaye Gonna be cute ! Thank you. Don‘t have hate waiting in line fir boring stuff like that ? Good thing you brought stuff to do. 5y
IamIamIam @Kaye I got home & ate so I'll have this done by the end of the day. 😉 The yarn is Nicole Quality Value Basic II Yarn. The color is YRN 2668B. I'm not sure if you have an AC Moore store in your area but I can keep an eye out in my local store if you want any! They're small balls, too, so let me know if I can look for it. 😘 5y
Kaye Thanks very much. No, we don‘t have any of those stores in our area that I know of. Seeing you guys with your crochet and knit projects make me want to get back into it again. I haven‘t done very much of that for a really long time. I don‘t have many people left to make things for, but maybe I‘ll try making some Warm Up America squares. 5y
IamIamIam @Kaye I teach a crotchet class now but I have been making blankets for the local nicu departments, lapghans for nursing homes and baby blankets for the VA women's clinic! They appreciate all donations so don't count them out, especially if you want to get back into it. 🤗 5y
IamIamIam *Crochet not crotchety... 😂😂😂 5y
Kaye That‘s great ! All our local libraries do the WUA squares during fall and winter. Our library in town made them one year for the nursing home in our town. So many of those folks never get visitors ,so they really appreciated getting pretty colorful afghans. Always someplace to donate to for people in need of a boost. What type items is your class making ? 5y
IamIamIam @Kaye I've always wanted to do WUA but my scraps are always in use and I had done craft fairs in the past but you're right. There's always somewhere you can donate to! My class is kind of varied. It was an instructional class but some students moved faster than others. I wrote a pattern for a scarf and several students made it and I made 2. Lol 5y
41 likes13 comments
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emilyrose_x
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And last but not least, another non fiction book. I enjoy science and this looks like it will be both very interesting and funny at the same time!

It describes itself as "scientific answers to hypothetical questions" ?

MatchlessMarie I‘ve never seen this cover. I like it! 5y
60 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MaryMac87

But it turns out that trying to thoroughly answer a stupid question can take you to some pretty interesting places.

1 like1 stack add
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Rachel.Rencher
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I always read something that makes me think before bed. For the last year or so I've been making my way through my Lonely Planet travel books. I just started on What If? last night and I love it! The first scenario is what would happen if the world suddenly stopped spinning...let's just say I had some crazy dreams after reading this. 😂

julesG I love this book. Ingenious ideas. 6y
HeidiReads I had no idea these existed and suddenly I need them all. 6y
83 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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OddBookishBee
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tournevis I love XKCD! 6y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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AndreaReads
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Pickpick

I don‘t tend to read a lot of nonfiction, but when I do, I want 2 things: to learn something and to laugh. This book checked both boxes. The questions were as absurd as the title promised, but the footnotes and illustrations really helped cement the tongue-in-cheek humor combined with mathematical and scientific reasoning which made for an overall enjoyable read. Awesome read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

60 likes4 stack adds
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callunakeep
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Super fun listen! Wil Wheaton was the PERFECT narrator for this most hilarious way to learn about all sorts of science!

TheBookgeekFrau What is the review template in the background? Want!!!!! 6y
callunakeep @C.Perone 🤓 I have a bit of a planner obsession. That is one of the book review pages I made for my planner to keep track of my reads. The review form itself is my creation and the questions change from time to time ... the images I use as watermarks are from the internet...I am not artistic enough to draw my own!😂🤣 (edited) 6y
TheBookgeekFrau I love it!!! It‘s the perfect review summary. I might just have hijack into sticker form to put in each book I read🧐 (and together we may be on to something marketable haha🤔) 6y
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callunakeep @C.Perone LOL! And thank you! ❤️The problem with the images I use is that they are not mine to sell. I download them from the web for personal use, but copyright laws mean I can‘t sell them, and I cannot draw!😞🤓😝. My email is heathergstl at gmail ... I am a sharer. 🙃 (edited) 6y
TheBookgeekFrau Thank you, I‘d like that☺️ I‘ll be in touch 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 I love Will Wheaton as a narrator!! I think he did Ready Player One, also. 6y
33 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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callunakeep
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Solo on audio was not for me, I will have to get a hard copy and try it again later ... so this is up on audio. I LOVE the absurd and hypothetical and I LOVE science! Throw in narration by Wil Wheaton and, well, hell yes!🖖🏼🤓

Gezemice This one is full of illustrations and those are the funniest. I wonder how they handle that on audio. Great book, btw. 6y
callunakeep @Gezemice I am about 1/4 of the way through and they have made no mention of any illustrations, however, Wil Wheaton‘s expressive narration is creating fantastic visuals in my mind!!🤣😂. 6y
18 likes2 comments
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Natalia
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Perfect book for the lovers of science! And btw it‘s also very funny!!😂

#whatif #randallmunroe #marchread #science #nonfiction #humor

10 likes2 stack adds
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celosia
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May have gone slightly overboard at the half off used books sale.....

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Lynnsoprano
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Sharing this post from @MrBook about what is happening with Litsy. I‘m not going to repeat what he‘s said, he‘s laid things out pretty well. Thanks for getting the dialogue going.

MrBook 🤗🤗🤗 6y
CouronneDhiver I just want to be optimistic... I don‘t want them to take away the great things that make this a fun hangout... but maybe they‘ll add some features we hadn‘t considered before. 6y
74 likes2 comments
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
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Can anyone recommend any other books sort of like this one, that's sciency but fun and easy and quick to read in many sessions? My husband quite likes those sorts of books and I want to get him an anniversary gift and general pick-me-up for always working so hard.

erzascarletbookgasm This one by the same author? Not just science but complicated stuff explained. 6y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook Thanks @erzascarletbookgasm, that looks pretty cool! 6y
RaimeyGallant This looks good. I know of interesting books similar to this but none that have a graphic element. 6y
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MommyWantsToReadHerBook @RaimeyGallant it's very cool and my husband is a big xkcd fan so it was just a very cool gift for him. I'd be interested in your recommendations even if they're not graphic in nature 6y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook Thanks for the recommendations @RaimeyGallant! Will definitely check these out! 6y
readinginthedark Mary Roach books! They‘re divided into chapters, not individual essays, but the chapters are subsections of a bigger topic and don‘t have to be read one right after another. 6y
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daniwithtea
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Pickpick

So. Much. Fun. Highly recommended if you like laugh out loud science, especially in audio form.

37/100 for the year.