99% in Print: A Book for the Urban Curious

So it appears that every 19 months, I write a blog post. I'm doing so now, because I have to. Because something monumental has happened, and not doing so would be inexcusable. 

If you've ever read my blog, or you know me at all, you know that I love the podcast 99% Invisible. (And that I love Roman Mars.) You're probably tired of me telling you to listen to 99PI. Well, Roman and Kurt have released a book, The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design. So now I'm telling you to read 99PI.

The book is beautifully designed and perfect for anyone who is curious about the world around them. Full of tidbits and stories about intriguing design elements that you see and don't see in cities all over the world. 

So maybe you're not a podcast person, maybe you're a book person. I highly encourage you to check out 99PI in print. I stand by my claim that everything that Roman (and Kurt) say is fascinating. I've never been disappointed in an episode and I very often find myself talking about the stories later in the week. 

If you're looking for recommendations on episodes to start with, here's a blog post (from 5 years ago) that lists some of my (really old!) favorites. 

99% Awesome.

I've never really gotten into podcasts. I’ve tried a few, but they never really stuck.

Until now. Because I've found a kindred spirit in Roman Mars.

Roman Mars is the creator of 99 Percent Invisible is "a tiny radio show about design, architecture and the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world."

Basically Roman Mars likes to geek out over the random topics that I also find fascinating. Every episode dives into a different subject, most often to do with design and architecture. But sometimes also about food or history or biology or places or inventions.... really ... or anything. But always intriguing. And always narrated by Mars' soothing radiotopia voice. 

Clearly, I'm about to recommend you check it out—seriously there's something for everyone. Here's a few of my favorites to get you started:

#135. For Amusement Only: Did you know that pinball used to be considered gambling!!?

#175. The Sunshine Hotel: The Bowry's last flop house. 

#171: Johnnycab (Automation Paradox, pt. 2): Driving into the future with no drivers. 

#165. The Nutshell Studies: Dioramas of unexplained deaths.

#154. PDX Carpet: Tweet your Feet! Carpet that has it's own hashtag.

Basically, what it comes down to, is that there's always more to the story. And I'm so glad Roman Mars is there to figure it out.