Where were napkins first used? What do citrus fruits and windows have in common? For an interesting look at lots of things we use everyday (a few we don't even think about), try The Elements of a Home: Curious Histories Behind Everyday Household Objects, from Pillows to Forks, by Amy Azzarito. There are chapters on desks, chairs, the ice bucket, teapots, tassels ... The short entries make this a good book to read while watching TV. ;-)

A box was found in the basement of the New York Public Library. A file box. It was filled with cards of reference questions from the 1940's to the 1980's. All kinds of questions from the silly to the serious ... and the librarians took it upon themselves to answer them and put them in a book: Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers: a Little Book of Whimsy and Wisdom from the Files of the New York Public Library, with illustrations by Barry Blitt. The cards must have had just the questions because I think I was expecting answer to be from the time of the question rather than a modern day reference to a link ... but that could just be me. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog