Perhaps it’s because we’re potty training my toddler right now, but the title of this book slayed me. (Note: If you’d like to see the other books in this series of posts, click here.)
Winner of Diagram’s 2013 Prize for the oddest book title of the year, Saiyuud Diwong’s Cooking with Poo beat out titles like The Great Singapore Penis Panic and the Future of American Mass Hysteria and Estonian Sock Patterns All Around the World.
Incidentally, it’s available on iTunes, but NOT Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
The story behind “Cooking with Poo” (I just love to say that) is actually very heartwarming.
The 114-page cookbook derives its unsanitary title from author Saiyuud Diwong’s nickname, Poo, which is Thai for crab. Diwong lives in Bangkok’s Klong Toey slum, where she runs a community cookery school. She wrote the book as a way to earn income while helping others in the slum to start businesses through Urban Neighbors of Hope.
I feel so much better after reading the story behind this book.
Not only am I happy to see an engaging young woman helping others through writing, I’m also excited to know that if I ever get to Thailand, I’m likely to get a good meal if I ask for “poo.” That’s a win-win in my book.
And, of course, now I want to read about Poo’s recipes and find out more about this “Penis Panic” in Singapore… So much hilarious trivia, so little time.
What’s on your reading list right now, in either the serious or non-serious category? Had you heard about “Cooking with Poo?” What’s the craziest book on your bookshelf right now? Enquiring minds LOVE to know these things here at More Cowbell!
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
You know how to pique a girl’s interest! 🙂
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LOL. Just to let you know, the potty training is going well! She loves the doll and throws a fit if we try to put a diaper on it, so I think we’re moving forward…THANK YOU for your help!
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Hooray! Readiness! I can’t wait to hear about how it goes. And, like I told you, that book is SOOOOOO un politically correct, I can’t even find the title of it. But it would fall under the heading of Crazy Books. Seriously, Jenny. It was not good.
Remember to bring lots of underpants for BabyGirl when you pack for that disaster; otherwise, you’ll have a whole other kind of disaster to deal with.
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First. Jenny Jo Hansen, you got some ‘splainin’ to do.
A title of Cooking with Poo, immediately followed by “Perhaps it’s because we’re potty training my toddler right now…” doth not an overwhelming urge to rush to the kitchen for porridge incite. Forsooth.
The craziest titles I will ever own, and proudly display — on a bookshelf — in my closet — behind the KegelMaster Instruction Booklet are on their way from The Amazon. These would include a Giant Vagina Coloring Book and Huge Penis self-help guide. You are my personal book shopper of choice.
Congratulations!
I think those two belong together. Next to the brown-paper-sacked KegelMaster labeled Feminine Hygiene Products (because my husband would urp before snooping in a bag with that label).
After seeing the fun to be had with a Huge Penis book in your hands at DFWCon, I had to buy a copy for myself. ERM. Are you planning to do any more posts about the wisdom shared in that book?
pleasesaynopleasesaynopleasesaynopleasesaynopleasesayno <===== If that subliminal messaging works, I have plans.
p.s. How many more Peeps in you Posse before The Cowbell gets sent to me? Yes. I know patience is a virtue. Virtues bore me.
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There is only one more peep ahead of you (Gene Lempp) and I’ll bet he could be convinced to let you take cuts in line if you harrass him nicely on Twitter. 🙂
You bought the Kegelmaster??! I am dying to buy that…what do you think of it? (p.s. VERY smart to put it in the “Feminine Hygiene Products” bag.)
On the OMG front…you have more than earned the right to all future posts. In fact, if I get enticed to do another one, I’ll do it on YOUR blog. Will that work?
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Talk about hounding someone mercilessly! Do not throw a teaser like “I will do it on your blog” onto my radar screen.
When my book arrives, I shall make plans for you, my dear.
And, yes, I bought a Kegelmaster. Aside from the quite suggestive shape of the device, I think it’s a *goof proof* way to ensure your Kegels are properly toned. For both healthy bladder control and the more obvious beddy-bye-benefits suggested by its shape. IYKWIM. The springs are adjusted to provide more tension as one conquers the gazillion levels. If you can close the spring-loaded gap, you’re toning those Kegels.
[*goof proof* There are some exercises — abs are the worst — when I can’t tell if I’m doing them properly, and hitting targeted muscles. In the case of abs, an oh-my-aching-neck reaction proves I’m not. So, I look for exercises that <strong have to use the abs. Same with the KegelMaster. There’s nothing else in that general vicinity that’s going to close that gap.]
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LOL. I finally found an ab exercise that’s foolproof, and it protects the neck. I love it and hate it at the same time. So now I’m eyeing that Kegelmaster, IYKWIM. Hmmmmm.
And yes, of course I’m willing to join the OMG madness at your place. That sounds like TONS of fun. 🙂
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LOL. I have heard of Cooking With Poo. I had forgotten her mission though, and I’m glad you shared it. What a great way to promote women in business. Another title for you: I’m in the middle of Bonk by Mary Roach. It’s the seriously kinky history of sex. 😀
Oh, and how do I get the Cowbell to Wisconsin?
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BONK!! What a great title. 🙂 Will you be blogging about it?
p.s. The Cowbell WILL be coming to Wisconsin soon, I promise you. There are 3-4 posse members ahead of you in line.
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Bonk! Now, I have two more *research* books.
Jess? Jenny? Any more I should add to my list before I venture to The Amazon?
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That book cover has made me giggle so many times. Some of my grandmother’s old cookbooks have whacky names, like “Recipes for Ulcers and Gastric Upset.” (Gee, yum! ;))
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Boy, y’all are so informed. I had NOT heard of it before I read that article in the UK Guardian. And with you being from the north, I’ll bet the Scandinavian home remedy cookbooks abound. 🙂
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Hi, Jenny! I’ve seen that book online…crazy! Hope the potty training is going better than expected.
I don’t really have any crazy books, although one I bought for research into novel #3 made hubby a little nervous about his security clearance (having a wife for a mystery writer leads to internet searches that wouldn’t look good if I was accused of something nasty, LOL): The Science of Revolutionary Warfare, published by a 19th century anarchist. But it’s really the subtitle that’s crazy: “A handbook of instruction regarding the use and manufacture of nitroglycerine, dynamite, gun-cotton, fulminating mercury, bombs, arsons, poisons, etc.”
The life of a mystery writer is never dull. 😉
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I adore those kinds of books, Kathy! I’m part of a Weapons loop for the same reason. It’s awesome. My favorite research book title, besides the The Bald-Headed Hermit & The Artichoke: An Erotic Thesaurus by A.D. Peterkin, is a Dictionary of Drugs, Vices and Slang.
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Why am I just now hearing about The Bald-Headed Hermit & The Artichoke? Geesh! I could have saved shipping fees. Spill with any other gems you have before I place that order.
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Oh, the Bald-Headed Hermit and the Artichoke is fabulous, Gloria! You must get it. I adore that book.
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Are you getting pictures of the drones flying around your house and neighborhood, K.B.?
On that same topic, there are a number of books (and toys) I’ve purchased in the name of research. LOTS of research needed for hot contemporary romance. Exhausting!
A peek at the Google history on my laptop is an eye-popper.
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LOL! I was a little nervous at the thought of Cooking With Poo, but then I realized, I don’t have any grounds for my reaction. In the Bahamas I enjoy eating at a restaurant called The Poop Deck! Great seafood. 😉
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LOL. OK, if I get to the Bahamas, I’m tapping you for the location of The Poop Deck. 😉
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Sounds good. They’re actually quite fabulous.
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I have actually seen this book before, but I’ve not ever heard the story of how it came to be. i love the cover.
Let us know what you find out about the penis attack.
I don’t have any crazy titles on my shelf. I guess I need to put some there.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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The funniest part about the book on the Penis Panic is that they’re serious. There actually was one and they had family members running in to the doctor with them, holding the panicked member so it didn’t disappear. I was dying reading the description (which wasn’t very nice of me). But why would the author torture me with that title??
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LOL! Poo is new to me. One of my fave crazy book titles is, The Sugar Frosted Nutsack by Mark Leyner. 🙂
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Does your husband (or significant other) get nervous or excited when you pull that book from the shelves, Coleen?
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Yes, enquiring minds like to know these things, Coleen! Do tell…
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NOOO! Mr. Leyner actually put the word “Nutsack” into a book title? I went expecting it to be a kids book, but it’s an adult novel…which means that was on purpose. What a wonderfully twisted guy!
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Love the title of thsi book and that alone would make me pick it up and read it! Plus, I love crab, so this is a win!
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