365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed by Edward Brooke-Hitching

Edward Brooke-Hitching has made a name for himself as one of Britain’s most inventive literary collectors of oddities and curiosities, and 365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed continues that tradition. This charming compendium of factual wonders delivers exactly what its title promises, though it would be unfair to confine such a book to the bedside table. It is an irresistible invitation to curiosity that can be opened anywhere, at any time.

Each entry in the collection offers a nugget of truth, from natural marvels and historical eccentricities to scientific discoveries and delightfully absurd human achievements. Brooke-Hitching’s gift lies in presenting each fact not as a dry snippet of trivia but as a miniature story, complete with rhythm and humour. One page might transport readers to a rainstorm of diamonds on Neptune; the next, to a medieval court where fashion dictated that dogs were worn up sleeves. The effect is cumulative - a collage of knowledge that celebrates both the vastness and the eccentricity of the world.

The tone throughout is playful yet respectful of truth. Brooke-Hitching is a meticulous researcher, but he never loses the sense of wonder that drives his work. There is no sense of cynicism here: the book invites readers to rediscover the delight of not knowing and the satisfaction of finding out. Occasionally, an entry leaves one wanting a little more context, but that curiosity is precisely the point. This is not an encyclopaedia; it is a spark for the imagination.

The illustrations by Oksana Drachkovska perfectly match the mood. Whimsical, lightly surreal and beautifully detailed, they give visual form to the absurdities and delights of the text. Her artwork transforms the book into an object of pleasure in its own right - a volume to be held, leafed through and shared aloud.

While aimed at younger readers, the appeal is universal. Adults will find themselves as enchanted as children, not only by the oddities themselves but by the elegant simplicity of the presentation. There is something restorative about a book that reminds us how marvellous the world can be when viewed through curious eyes.

The book works both as a daily companion and as a binge-read. The brevity of each piece encourages dipping in and out, yet it is difficult to resist turning just one more page. By the end, readers will have travelled from deep sea to outer space, from forgotten corners of history to the limits of human invention.

365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed is more than a trivia collection; it is a celebration of curiosity as a way of life. Witty, surprising and unfailingly engaging, it deserves a place beside QI, The Book of General Ignorance and other modern classics of factual wonder. Brooke-Hitching’s latest offering proves that truth is often stranger, funnier and far more beautiful than fiction.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Hachette