Xmas Gift Guide #9 - A Matter of Facts - Shaun Williamson

 

 

 I am taking a little break in this series from focusing on Quiz Books, to mentioning once of the finest books I have read on the subject of Quiz. I first encountered Shaun Williamson at a Grand Prix in what must have been 2013 and he has been a serious quizzer ever since. (And a good one at that!). In this book Shaun takes a look at the UK quiz scene, quizzing in general and his own journey to improve his rankings. Its superbly written, captivates quiz and the scene and the passion of quizzers better than any book I have ever encountered on the subject. 

Of course the below books are also very much worth looking into for books about quizzing but for me Shaun's takes the biscuit...

Quiz Addict Podcast

 The Quiz Addict Podcast is now well over 200 episodes (including special) long. That gives you well over 3000 questions to get stuck into on a wide range of subjects. If you can like, share, follow and subscribe to the podcast that would be great. Feedback also welcome!

Latest Episodes of the podcast which are l available as well on all major platforms and hosted via Podbean (HERE)

 (If you are able and feel these have been useful, please consider a donation). The podcast is not for profit, which is why you should never hear an adverts, but there are some small running/hosting costs so any help would be appreciated! See the donation button in the side bar <<<<<<<

Xmas Gift Guide #8 - BBC Quiz Show Books

 Back to the Christmas guide guide and I am still on the subject of Quiz Books and this time its three books from BBC Quiz Shows - Namely - Mastermind, University Challenge and Only Connect. The BBC books are always high quality, earlier in the series I suggested the Brian of Britain book and even the likes of the Question of Sports books are always quality.

But those listed below serve as ideal gifts for the quizzer in your life, or as I keep saying a little Xmas treat for yourself. The questions are plentiful, high quality and well crafted. Hours of fun to be had!

OQL Buzzer Quiz

 It has been a hectic few weeks, hence the lack of posts, and I am only just getting round to mentioning the fabulous OQL Buzzer Quiz event which took place in Birmingham on the 13th November. 30 teams of quizzers from across the UK and Ireland came together to square off in a series of matches, that are best described as University Challenge style buzzer games (with the option to steal bonuses).  I will post a full write up of some point, of what I have no hesitation in saying is my favourite ever quiz event, but see below a video from Gareth Kingstons excellent All Things quiz blog about the day as well as the final which was...well.....just take 40 minutes to watch it, that's all I will say...

Xmas Gift Guide #7 - Classic FM Friendly Quiz Book

The gift guide continues with another quiz book from my collection - Classic FM Friendly Quiz Book. I often find that Classical Music is one area, that if you put the work in, can reap great rewards in quiz. At every level from the pub quiz to the league competitions. This book is a great primer and a great test of that knowledge. With over 1000 questions the book looks at everything from straight up trivia questions, to match the symphony name to the composer style rounds, to guess the decade to themed rounds of operas and composers. It really does have a great coverage of subjects and it is all golden content you would expect to come up time and time again!

Xmas Gift Guide #6 - BBC 6music Quiz Book

 Xmas Gift Guide - #6  6Music Quiz Book

The Quiz Book suggestions keep on coming and the latest suggestion is the fabulous BBC Radio 6 Music Quiz Book. Released in 2016, this is another quiz book I rarely see in stores but is well worth hunting down online. The book contains over 3000 fresh questions on  huge rage of music in line with what the station itself covers. This isnt a "pop" music quiz as such but its hard to pin point as it pretty much covers everything else. But it's not "niche" to the extent of not being useful. These are all names, bands, songs and albums you will hear come up in all manner of quizzes. 

The questions are unique, well written and its clear time and effort was taken into putting the book together and I for one have certainly found it useful and interesting to work though!

Quiz Addict Podcast

 The Quiz Addict Podcast is still going strong with twice-daily episodes issued, with the occasional bonus episode thrown into the mix. Appraoching 200 episodes now!

Latest Episodes of the podcast which are l available as well on all major platforms and hosted via Podbean (HERE)

 (If you are able and feel these have been useful, please consider a donation). The podcast is not for profit, which is why you should never hear an adverts, but there are some small running/hosting costs so any help would be appreciated! See the donation button in the side bar <<<<<<<

The Tournament - Debuts 8th November

 

Fronted by Alex Scott and Ross Kemp, the latest edition to the Daytime BBC Quiz show is the interesting sounding "The Tournament". Its finally been given an air date of Monday 8th November so watch out for it then!

Xmas Gift Guide #5 - The Penguin Quiz Book

Again, I continue the theme of suggesting what I think are useful/enjoyable quiz books in the gift guide series and this entry focuses on a literature theme booked 'The Penguin Quiz Book'. Released in 2019, the book contains a wide range of unique and interesting question, broken down in 10 parts. The sections in each part include themed rounds, connections, quotes, buzzer style who am I questions and more. The answers contain extra information and it a treasure chest of great content that will not only boost your literature knowledge but provide a stiff test of it!

Xmas Gift Guide #4 - The Brain of Britain Quiz Book

Xmas Gift Guide #4 - The Brain of Britain Quiz Book

In case you haven't gathered by now, the first dozen or so entries in this series are all going to be about Quiz books I recommend as being useful revision tools for yourself or the perfect gift for the quizzer in your life.

This book , the Brain of Britain Quiz book, has appeared on my list for the last few years and is likely to do so until they update it. This edition is from 2017 and was released without much publicity but is widely available on Amazon.  The book contains over 2000 new questions split into Rounds of 40. As with the actual show itself, the questions are challenging, testing and cover a wide syllabus and despite a few rounds to "ease you in", the difficulty ramps up early and this there is very little room for filler.

Answers come the page after the questions which is always better than flicking through to the back of the book, and some additional information is included. Its presented in a hardback form and will take some time to work through. A perfect gift to have by your side over the Xmas period and one which is well worth picking up for yourself!

Pop Culture MIMIR Final

 

Congratulations go to Tom Adams on victory in Season 2 of the Online Quiz League Pop Culture Challenge. In a very competitive final (video link to follow) Tom maintained a lead from the halfway stage and never let it slip. 

It has been a fantastic season all round and if you keep an eye on the website HERE you will see when the next season is advertising for players. In the mean time if Highbrow content is more your thing check out  the below link to the International Culture Challenge which begins next month

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To sign up click HERE

What is MIMR?

 

Since posting up about the OQL MIMIR  Competitions earlier in the week, I have had a few messages asking about what a MIMIR is. Just in case anyone out there is also keen to learn more about the format, my wisest move is to direct you to the excellent video above from Gareth Kingstons All Things Quiz Channel which explains in glorious detail.

And below is a video from the Pop Culture MIMIR ran by the OQL (Online Quiz League) which shows you 4 top quizzers in action on the MIMIR Format.

Xmas Gift Guide #3 - The Book of Pub Quizzes

The Book of Pub Quizzes

The latest suggestion in my Xmas Gift Guide for Quizzers is this hidden gem. I saw Hidden Gem as Ive never seen it in a store, and Ive never really came across it on Amazon until I saw it on the Wordsworth website whilst looking for something else. The book is packed with great content and thousands of quizzes written by David Rothwell. The first part of the book has 40 questions that start with the letter A, then B, then C and so on, which prove more challenging than you may think as a lot of effort has been put into the writing. The book then goes into more themed quizzes but the quality remains.

What I liked about this book is as well as containing a lot of original content and tough question, it also covers the 'chesnuts' which are all essential for quizzers old and new to refresh on!

International Culture Challenge - Sign Up Now

 

With the Pop Culture Challenge coming an end this week, the Online Quiz League is launching its International Culture Challenge (MIMIR format individual quiz) in November and there is still time to sign up. You will get the chance to compete against some of the finest quizzers across the globe and tackling some questions from the best writers out there! The format works in a way whereby you will play people of your own level after a couple of games meaning games will be close and competitive. I can't recommend the OQL events enough and if you are interested in signing up click HERE 

Xmas Gift Guide #2

 The second post in my Xmas gift guide sticks with the Quiz Book theme and is the excellent Bamber Gascoignes Challenging Quiz Book. This was released way back in 2007, but throughout the years I have owned it, it has been one my favourite and most useful quiz books. 

The book contains 200 rounds of 10 questions each, most of which are at the more challenging end of the scale. There is no filler and very little to "ease you in". The book hits you from the off with unique, refreshing and provoking questions for quizzers of all levels and interested. The rounds are themed in a fashion and each answer page provides additional facts which will help cement the knowledge!  Working through this book will certainly benefit your quizzing and its a fun book to treat yourself with or give to that quizzer in your life!