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Original poster

Bill Bryson

57 replies

BBBear · 31/03/2020 09:20

I’m always seeing Bill Bryson recommended as a good read, but which one should I start with?

OP posts:
Callmecordelia · 01/04/2020 20:03

Neither here nor there is my favourite. He signed my treasured copy for me 20 years ago!

TSSDNCOP · 01/04/2020 20:01

And Milton Miltons dad in Thunderbolt Kid

TSSDNCOP · 01/04/2020 20:01

The walk round Sydney suburbs and the body boarding were totally fabulous.

TSSDNCOP · 01/04/2020 19:59

I've read them all but started Notes From A Small Island on holiday by the pool the day of Princess Diana's funeral. I had to go and sit on the beach because I was snorting with laughter.

AlunWynsKnee · 01/04/2020 18:43

I love them all so in my opinion you can pick any of them and you won't go wrong. He has seen me through the worst of times.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 01/04/2020 18:38

@Rokerwriter Any and all of the books where he panics he's going to die are well worth a read (Down Under and Walk in the Woods 2 cases in point).

I love his factual books, and give him extra brownie points for mentioning the pain condition I have as one of the most painful things to experience ever (well done Bill).

His travel books are pretty funny too.

Some are harder going but good to dip into from time to time. Mother Tongue for the development of language and words.

The only one I didn't like was One Summer: America 1927. It's readable, but not really in one go. It seems to jump backwards and forwards, mentioning the same things in different contexts.

BeyondMyWits · 01/04/2020 17:26

Which is the one with the nun story? omg I laughed and laughed.

Shinygoldbauble · 01/04/2020 17:14

Thanks nononono, I didn't know that. I couldn't find it on Kindle under the name I was using but it's there under Notes from...
I'm going to re-read it.

fartingsparkles · 01/04/2020 17:14

My favourite is Made in America, all about the evolution of language

june2007 · 01/04/2020 17:06

Notes from Small Island? The one about uk.

Nononononono33 · 01/04/2020 17:01

I’m a Stranger Here Myself is the same book as Notes from A Big Country (UK and US markets). I’d recommend all of the above. I love Bill Bryson and may do some rereading to get through lockdown.

Shinygoldbauble · 01/04/2020 16:57

If you can get I'm a Stranger Here Myself,which is a collection of pieces about re-adjusting to life in American after living in Britain, I'd highly recommend it. Some of the pieces are genuinely laugh out loud funny.

TheCanterburyWhales · 01/04/2020 16:53

My comfort food books. I've read them all a million times. I remember years ago we tried to get HQ to invite him for a webchat.
My favourite is probably Notes From a Small Island followed by Neither Here Nor There.

Rokerwriter · 01/04/2020 13:01

My favourite is Down Under. I remember having to put it down in order to get my breath back, I was laughing so much. I believe that is the only time a book has ever made me laugh that much.

Xylophonics · 31/03/2020 13:10

Read Notes on a Small Island years ago and A Walk in the Woods recently. Both laugh out loud funny and informative as well.

Taking mental notes of the other recommendations.

Wbeezer · 31/03/2020 12:21

I once read three Bill Bryson books Back to back to relieve mild depression. It worked.

PhilODox · 31/03/2020 12:17

Oh, I envy anyone about to read Notes From a Small Island for the first time! Envy
If you're British, you'll laugh and laugh.
Then the one about going round small town America- just wunnerful!

InglouriousBasterd · 31/03/2020 11:27

Grin I read Note from a Small Island on the train once and snorted and shook with laughter the whole way, I think I sold that book to everyone around me that day! Also Down Under is brilliant. I generally prefer the travel ones but I think that’s just more my taste than anything!

Original poster
BBBear · 31/03/2020 11:21

Thanks everyone. I fancy humorous so will start with Notes from a Small Island (Iam in the U.K.) then Home or Appalachian Trail. Now I’m stuck at home I want to read about all the travels I can do when this is all over.
I’m treating the family to a big Amazon book order!

OP posts:
AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 31/03/2020 11:21

I read Notes from a Small Island at school and loved it, it's such a good read. DH bought me the follow up when it came out and I devoured it in one sitting.

cdtaylornats · 31/03/2020 11:10

The Body: A Guide for Occupants

katseyes7 · 31/03/2020 10:05

My favourite (although l love all of them) is The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.
Just don't read it in public. Although there's not much chance of that just now.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/03/2020 10:03

BB is one of my favourite authors. I read and reread all his books.

Some of them are weightier than others. Home, Short History, The Body are all more factual and heavier going than the travelogues which are wonderful.

TurnOffTheTv · 31/03/2020 09:58

Home is absolutely amazing
Notes from a Small Island is hilarious

iklboo · 31/03/2020 09:46

I read Notes From A Small Island on a bus. People thought I'd lost it, I was giggling so much.

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