Chuck Shepherd (–2022)

There are always strange stories in the news. Human beings just have a talent for doing ridiculous and weird things. This book collects some funny and strange goings-on from around the world. Separated into categories like ridiculous lawsuits, weird science, stupid criminals, baffling incidents, etc., there is a little bit of everything in this book.

Each chapter has several short tales of the strange. Some are funny, some disturbing and some just plain weird....but all are interesting. There is some sexual weirdness discussed but nothing outrageously graphic....so I'd give this book a PG-13 rating.

This book was printed in 1991 so most of the stories cited date from the late 80s and early 90s. That makes some things a bit dated....but funny headlines and weird news are still weird no matter how many years go by. These stories don't have to be current to make a reader laugh or roll their eyes. Just proves dumb criminals and silly people have been doing weird things for a long time.

With the short paragraphs and organization of this book, it would make a great bathroom book, or a smile generating collection of snippets when a person is in the mood for a cute joke. I used it for a palate cleanser between books. When I finish reading a thriller or suspense novel, sometimes I just need something light and funny to clear my head before I jump into another one. This book was perfect for that! One of my favorites was the story about a skinny prisoner in Stockholm who escaped from the prison by saving all the margarine from his meals, which he then used to oil himself and squeeze between the bars of his cell. Now that's a slick escape! :)

Fun book! There are several books in this "news of the weird' series. I'm definitely going to read more! The book is out of print after so many years but used copies appear to be easy to come by.… (altro)

From the book:
Gordon and Jasmine Geisbrecht opened a restaurant in a suburb of Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986 called The Outhouse, built on the theme of toilets. Toilet bowls were placed among the tables, and a toilet seat logo appeared on the menu. Health inspectors then forced the restaurant to suspend operations because it lacked adequate rest rooms. (from pg 15)

More News of the Weird is filled with many such delightful snippets of strange news stories gleaned from media around the world. From padded bathtubs in the United States to toilets that check pulse rates and perfume bottoms in Japan, the book is a treasure trove of weirdness. Some of the stories are disturbing, some funny and others just puzzling....but all are entertaining. Some details are a bit adult -- people naked in the wrong places, sexual situations, druggies/drunks so I would say the book is PG-13 rated and not for smaller kids. But teenagers would find it funny. I read my son several items and we giggled. Cute book!

Published in 1990, the stories date from the 60's through the late 80s, but they aren't really that dated. Weird pretty much stays weird no matter how old the story. This book is out of print, but after checking online I found used copies aren't that difficult to come by. It would make a perfect bathroom book or light hearted tome to keep handy when a smile is needed. I use books like this as palate cleansers between books or just for a bit of light reading when I don't feel like reading a novel.

Fun read! Nice to know that there are people in the world more strange than myself. ha ha! :)

… (altro)