Then there is the Uncle John's bathroom reader, a combinations of random facts, jokes, and mind puzzles, which always seems like a combination of a People's Almanac and a Reader's Digest, which would have also made good bathroom reading when they were still printed.
Ah, a topic very close to my own heart! I have a forthcoming collection of essays where I carefully tested the length of each to ensure it could be read in a single toilet sitting. 'Read it on the loo while doing a poo' is not the book's official marketing slogan, but in all honesty it COULD be.
While sitting to sh*t was historically a Western preoccupation tied up with ideas of 'being civilised', and one that unnecessarily complicates the act of defecation itself, its one unquestionable advantage is that it facilitates reading (if you're interested, I've provided an anthropological take on squatting vs sitting on the loo here: https://silentbutdeadly.substack.com/p/squatting-versus-sitting).
Joel, what marvellous recommendations. My kids used to nick any decent books I left lying around (even in the loo!), so I guess it also contributed to their development too!
I must admit to carrying Ambrose Bierce’s "Devil’s Dictionary" over my bathroom's threshold. It's a dictionary that one can easily and enjoyably read from A to Z.
Then there is the Uncle John's bathroom reader, a combinations of random facts, jokes, and mind puzzles, which always seems like a combination of a People's Almanac and a Reader's Digest, which would have also made good bathroom reading when they were still printed.
Great article! Reminds me of the series The Great Bathroom Book, a compilation of short classics to read for when you’re indisposed.
I wonder: does one read ‘in’ the John or ‘on’ the John? Or both? Either way, an Englishman never takes a book into the ‘loo.’ (He lied!)
Ah, a topic very close to my own heart! I have a forthcoming collection of essays where I carefully tested the length of each to ensure it could be read in a single toilet sitting. 'Read it on the loo while doing a poo' is not the book's official marketing slogan, but in all honesty it COULD be.
While sitting to sh*t was historically a Western preoccupation tied up with ideas of 'being civilised', and one that unnecessarily complicates the act of defecation itself, its one unquestionable advantage is that it facilitates reading (if you're interested, I've provided an anthropological take on squatting vs sitting on the loo here: https://silentbutdeadly.substack.com/p/squatting-versus-sitting).
Thanks, as always, for the recommendations.
Amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Joel, what marvellous recommendations. My kids used to nick any decent books I left lying around (even in the loo!), so I guess it also contributed to their development too!
Brilliant—and evidently formative.
I must admit to carrying Ambrose Bierce’s "Devil’s Dictionary" over my bathroom's threshold. It's a dictionary that one can easily and enjoyably read from A to Z.
Good man!
My oldest brother excelled at wood shop in high school. So from that time onward, we had a nicely built magazine rack in the downstairs bathroom.