I’m pretty sure I was lured in by the books but I’m not sure. There is a vague memory that a brain teaser about a WWI medal led directly to me finding the website but the bits don’t really fit. I strictly read the archives when I first found the site and didn’t join as a message board member until many years later.
I started reading The Straight Dope in newspapers, went on to reading his books, and eventually found my way here.