I An Distracted by Everything

by Liza Tarbuck

The first annual for adults of it's kind. Combining the spirit of Britain's much-loved Bunty and Judy annuals with the humour of the Python classic Bert Fegg's Nasty Book for Boys and Girls, I An Distracted By Everything is a book to pour over, ponder on and laugh uproariously with.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

304 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2017

Reviews

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

An odd read. Perfect for bedtime. Full of bizarre pictures and tidbits that are indeed distracting.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although not exactly sure what I expected, this book wasn't what I thought it would be. I thought it would be funnier. It was more the mind map of a random person (possibly more relatable if you're British and more familiar with Liza Tarbuck).

[Kaitlyn Sitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a quirky read (or flip through?). This is great for fans of Liza Tarbuck. It’s basically a scrapbook of random, distracting things. It includes wrestling posters she’s put together for random celebrities (Jimmy Carr versus Hugh Laurie with special guest Minnie Driver), poems, old advertisements, and a few fun games and puzzles. She also writes random notes throughout the margins, with one of my favorites being, “I wonder if somewhere down the line Harry Potter isn’t John Lennon. Discuss.”

My favorite part was the discussion about how she chooses the songs for her playlists of her radio show, and some of her actual playlists with notes written in the margins. This is really interesting for fans of music.

Also, interestingly enough, I learned a lot about trees in this book?

Anyway, I love Liza Tarbuck, her mind, and her humor. This was fun, and now I’m off to watch her best bits in Taskmaster. Ta.

[Jessica Sacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

We often feel surrounded by anxious distractions and anxiety about distraction. I think that's what makes this book feel so reassuring - and liberating. Liza Tarbuck radiates a warm sense of being completely at ease with herself and other people, while at the same time celebrating all her distractions, from the verging-on-the-sublime to the frequently ridiculous. Interesting facts, unusual words, annotated playlists from her BBC Radio show, ridiculous clippings from newspaper archives, strange objects she has around the house, craft ideas delivered while wearing wigs, profiles of women who inspired famous songs, anecdotes sent in by strangers - all have their own place. I wish it were an annual; I'd subscribe.

[Catherine Mason · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were good parts and not so good parts in this. I haven't done all the puzzles or coloured in any pages or filled in any of the pages with prompts. It is something to be dipped in when at a loose end and wanting to be distracted. A few pages annoyed me because they were about silly nonsense like water crystals being influenced by sounds and words which is utter bullshit. Some things were funny and other things boring, and I have saved some bits to read for another day. If like me you bought it out of nostalgia for the old annuals of ones childhood you are better off buying one of those.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liza Tarbuck has basically created a scrapbook full of many of the things that distract me too. We must be on a similar wave length. Puzzles, music, quotes and useless information. It certainly does remind me of the Blue Peter Annuals and similar I used to get as a child, and it is indeed described as an ‘Annual for Grown Ups’. Great fun.

[Mark Kinver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alas, I did not finish it. I was distracted.

[Ian Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite funny. Very random.

[Lisa Twyning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it reminded me of the annuals I would get each year as a child/teenager. Full of memories, distractions and fun. Just like when I listen to Liza, it made me smile!

[Sam Crossland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, quirky book. Lots of things to do and laugh at. As I laughed I imagined in mu head that I sounded like Liza laughing.
Amazing.
Another one Liza?
Thanks xx

[Mark Beech · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I probably should have read the description better. I love Liza Tarbuck, and think she is an immensely talented and funny woman. I was thinking this was going to be an autobiography. It wasn’t.