Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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:
UriGeller · 23/05/2014 17:26

The first one I read was The Happy Isles of Oceania (I think that's the title) I really think its one of his best.

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 23/05/2014 17:25

Pissing myself remembering Milton's family at the like, SC!
Definitely Thunderbolt Kid.
OR - a Walking the Woods. Absolutely fantastic. Or Lost Continent. Or Neither Here nor There.
All wonderful.

hackmum · 23/05/2014 17:23

Neither Here Nor There, which I think is his second book, is one of the funniest things I've ever read, though it does trade in some rather naughty nationalistic stereotypes. The Lost Continent, his first book, is about travelling round the US and is also very funny.

Depends what you're looking for, really - a good laugh or something a bit more informative. His two books on language, Mother Tongue and Made in America, are fascinating.

WhereBeThatBlackbirdTo · 23/05/2014 13:02

I really enjoyed Down Under

SouthernComforts · 23/05/2014 12:53

Yy At Home isn't as funny as the others.

picnicbasketcase · 23/05/2014 12:53

Start with Small Island, I think. But they're all great Smile

SouthernComforts · 23/05/2014 12:53

All his travel books are very funny. The Short history.. ones are more serious/scientific. The life and times of the thunderbolt kid is about his life as a boy in America and contains the funniest story I've ever read in a book.

(Miltons dad at the lake/beach anyone?)

rugbychick · 23/05/2014 12:51

I've read most of his books and really enjoyed all of them. I would suggest starting with notes from a small island and down under

fabricassimo · 23/05/2014 12:49

Small Island is my favourite by far. I'm re reading it at the moment. I love the opening chapter!

onetiredmummy · 23/05/2014 12:46

My favourite is the Australian one! I think its called Down Under. Second favourite is the Appalachian Trail one,its called a Walk in the Woods.

TBH though any of his are pure gold, the one I least enjoyed was the one about his house & the history of houses....but any of the travel ones are brilliant :)

My top tip - don't use any of them to read on the toilet as you won't be seen for hours & you will have nearest & dearests banging on the door thinking you're dead :)

MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 23/05/2014 12:45

Notes from a Small Island is very funny in places, probably my favourite, although I also really enjoy A Walk in the Woods.

I don't think it matters which order you read them in, so maybe go for the country you're most interested in if you want to read his travel books.

Some of his other ones are good, too, but I haven't read them for ages.

Notes from a Small Country: Britain
Notes from a Big Country: USA
Neither Here Nor There: mainland Europe
A Walk in the Woods: The Appalachian Trail
Down Under: Australia

I think I've missed one or two though.

Swipe left for the next trending thread