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Original poster

Bill Bryson

61 replies

chickensaresafehere · 23/05/2014 10:27

I have never read any Bill Bryson books before but would like to give one a go.
Which one should I read first?

OP posts:
TheOneWithTheNicestSmile · 24/05/2014 14:21

I'm a Stranger Here Myself = US edition of Notes from a Big Country

(So don't buy both!)

DD1 went to a book signing of his & was more besotted than ever. She says he's just as funny as he seems & even lovelier than in the books Smile

The US piece about his younger son wanting him to play ball has me in tears every time. (the one about people being injured by their underwear also, but the other kind! Grin)

lemonpoppyseed · 24/05/2014 14:11

I would read the cereal box if Bill Bryson wrote it. I met him once, at a book signing. He was lovely, just as you would expect Grin

SouthernComforts · 24/05/2014 14:11

Me too AnyFucker. I love him. I first started reading BB when I was around 14, and I've since read every book he's written at least once.

UriGeller · 24/05/2014 13:57

Oh Miranda you're right!

BikeRunSki · 23/05/2014 18:01

Small Island to start with if you're from anywhere in the UK
Neither Here.... If you are from elsewhere in Europe
Lost Continent if you are American etc

ihatethecold · 23/05/2014 17:55

He is my fav author.
Always makes me laugh.
Down under has been read many times.

OverAndAbove · 23/05/2014 17:54

Ah, A Walk in The Woods is brilliant and an excellent place to start! Then you will be into his way of story telling and Notes from a Small Island is good to follow with!

Weegiemum · 23/05/2014 17:52

One of my very favourite authors - I love his "Short History of Nearly Everything" the best.

JodieGarberJacob · 23/05/2014 17:50

I met him at a book-signing. He's luuuuuvlyGrin Have been a fan since Lost Continent which is still my favourite, followed by Down Under, Big Country and Walk in the Woods. I once had a boyfriend who looked just like him, all big and cuddly!

AnyFucker · 23/05/2014 17:50

I think we need a MN webchat with Bill

AnyFucker · 23/05/2014 17:50

his humour is dry with no hint of nastiness

it's a very special skill

< starts writing dinner invites >

SconeRhymesWithGone · 23/05/2014 17:49

Thunderbolt Kid

One of the things I love about this book, in addition to its hilarity, is how Bryson's affection for his parents comes through.

AnyFucker · 23/05/2014 17:49

right, I am going to reread A Walk in The Woods this (rather wet and windy) Bank Holiday weekend Smile

plus2new · 23/05/2014 17:49

I love Bill Bryson. He has a collection of pieces written when he returned to live in the US called 'I'm A Stranger Here Myself'. It is one of the funniest books I've ever read.

Sleepyfergus · 23/05/2014 17:47

I've only ever read Mother Tongue, years ago, which was fascinating and easy to read but having read this thread I'm going to read some of his other stuff. Thanks!

AnyFucker · 23/05/2014 17:46

he seems like such a gentleman

his writing is respectful of childhood, respectful of women and totally self deprecating

I love him

it might be best not to meet him though because he might disappoint Smile

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 23/05/2014 17:45

So, not a.

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 23/05/2014 17:44

He was made chancellor of my uni in the same year I started. I went his inauguration ceremony and made a total fool of myself when my entire row of friends got horrific giggles and couldn't stop. Utterly shameful. Sad During my time there I saw him a few times aroundthe city and always wanted to approach him but never dared!
I second AF - he'd make a brilliant dinner guest. His humour is a self deprecating and apt!

CalamityKate1 · 23/05/2014 17:44

The description of Mr Milton (who looked as much like Goofy as it's possible to look without actually being a cartoon dog) diving off the high board at the lake had me actually crying with laughter and I'm not generally a lol'er Grin

I absolutely LOVE Bill Bryson!

AnyFucker · 23/05/2014 17:41

Thunderbolt Kid and/or Walk in The Woods

I love Bill Bryson

he is one of the people I would have at my fantasy dinner party

Ludways · 23/05/2014 17:40

I loved Thunderbolt Kid too, idyllic childhood stories but funny too.

MirandaWest · 23/05/2014 17:34

Happy Isles of Oceania is by Paul Theroux isn't it?

I think Bill Bryson reads Kingdom by the Sea (definitely by Paul Theroux) while he's travelling in Notes from a Small Island.

CrackerSnacker · 23/05/2014 17:30

Def Notes from a Small Island - I chuckle my way through it every time. I love Bill Bryson. I live a few miles from him and am always hoping to bump into him at Tesco Express!

claraschu · 23/05/2014 17:28

As an American living here, I love Notes from a Big Country, a collection of newspaper columns making fun of America, (with occasional fond praise). It is great.

I absolutely love Thunderbolt Kid, but it might not be QUITE as endearing if you haven't been to the US MidWest. It would still be very good, though.

MsHighwater · 23/05/2014 17:27

I love every word Bill Bryson has published, including At Home, which I just finished. I don't think it matters where you start but I suppose publication order would be a reasonable approach.

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