Never ones to shy away from slightly unusual reading material, we pride ourselves on offering handpicked books on an extraordinarily wide variety of subjects. From the outright bizarre – living as an otter, crocheting budgies for bike handlebars, educating a pet dog about Greek mythology – to niche interests and serious books whose titles prompt a second take, we’ve rounded up some of our more peculiar non-fiction, and while we haven’t nominated any for the Bookseller/Diagram Prize for the Oddest Title of the Year we must have some strong contenders among our bookshelves.
Craft Bomb Your Bike by Shara Ballard
Alongside practical items this guide also features a selection of whimsical projects – basket bunny ears, handlebar streamers and birdies and, in case it wasn’t already obvious, an ‘I Love My Bike’ label.
Teach Classics to your Dog by Philip Womack
Philip Womack enlightens his pet lurcher about the figures, language and history of the classical world, offering the reader the benefits of his knowledge along the way.
Year in a Ditch by JC Jeremy Hobson
Ditches are an often overlooked feature of the countryside but as JC Jeremy Hobson shows they are rich in wildlife, necessary for flood prevention, and crucial for bog snorkelling.
Ashbourne Circle by John Gilman and Ann Gilman
Using dowsing rods as their guide, John and Ann Gilman track a natural energy source through 68 miles of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, highlighting the number of churches, standing stones and burial mounds en route.
Glossops by RA Whitehead
This history of Yorkshire’s major tarspraying firm in the 20th century sheds light on the road surface dressing trade and the vehicles involved.
Dancing with Cats by Burton Silver and Heather Busch
Who knew that dancing with cats is an ancient art that channels feline energy, or that there would be a book about it?
Brolliology by Marion Rankine
Regularly lost, broken or blown inside out, the humble umbrella has come a long way from its origin, sheltering pharaohs from the sun. This volume delves into its history and place in our culture.
Admirable Point Florence Hazrat
Florence Hazrat explores the history of the most divisive element of punctuation, tracing the exclamation mark from its appearance in 14th-century Italy to its modern proliferation.
Birdhouses of the World by Anne Schmauss
Selected for their creativity rather than their practicality, these avian homes showcase a range of styles and materials, from elaborate wood carved designs to the sleek and minimalist.
Being a Beast by Charles Foster
Eating earthworms, swimming in rivers, rummaging in dustbins – Charles Foster went to extraordinary lengths to better understand the lives of badgers, otters, foxes and swifts.
Cats in Hats by Rojiman and Umatan
From a crown for regal felines to celebratory hats and designs channelling characters such as Princess Leia, you can help your cat express their themselves with a hat made of their very own fur.
Fifty Things to Do with a Stick by Richard Skrein
Richard Skrein presents a wealth of ideas that can elevate the humble stick into a valued possession, whether practical, decorative or entertaining.
Flying Dogs by Julia Christe
From Chihuahuas to German Shepherds, this collection of 120 photographs captures a range of dogs from a unique perspective.
Second-Hand Trams by Peter Waller
Well-illustrated with vintage photography, this history traces how trams that became surplus to requirement were redistributed across Britain’s network.
Effin’ Birds by Aaron Reynolds
This alternative field guide offers a withering assessment of 200 birds’ characteristics, but also reveals what they might think about humans – none of it complimentary and much of it ridden with expletives.
Nabokov’s Favourite Word is Mauve by Ben Blatt
Ben Blatt takes a statistical approach to literature, revealing the stylistic quirks of writers from Shakespeare to Jane Austen and Stephen King.
Archiflop by Alessandro Biamonti
Demonstrating the pitfalls that can beset any building project, this illustrated volume explores 25 architectural failures, including a man-made island in Japan, unfinished tower blocks and abandoned theme parks.
How to Skin a Lion: A Treasury of Outmoded Advice by Claire Cock Starkey
An insight into how times have changed, these words of wisdom from the British Library’s archive tackle issues such as how to read the future with snails, make Stilton or address a Maharajah.
How to Breathe by Ashley Neese
Through 25 exercises Ashley Neese demonstrates the physical and mental benefits of using breathwork to manage issues including anger, stress, insomnia and negative thinking.
Accidental Gods by Anna Della Subin
From Columbus to Haile Selassie and Prince Philip, this volume casts light on masculinity and colonialism though the stories of men who found themselves worshipped as gods.
