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The Bill Bryson Appreciation Club - Discuss your favourites here (spoilers)

55 replies

coffeeisnectar · 21/04/2016 20:53

I have read all of his books except the newest one (which is sitting in the 'to be read' pile) and I still howl with laughter through Notes from a Small Island and Walk in the Woods.

I think Bill Bryson is pretty much the best non-fiction author out there right now.

One of my favourite moments is when he's in the B&B wondering what the fuck a counterpain is. Fabulous. Utter genius.

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Original poster
coffeeisnectar · 21/04/2016 20:55

*counterpane. Dear God, Mr Bryson would have a heart attack at my error.

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JosiePye · 21/04/2016 20:56

I can't believe how long it it since it was written, but my favourite will always be The Lost Continent. I first read it as a teenager and thought it was so funny.

MimiLaBonq1 · 21/04/2016 20:56

I agree. He is an awesome writer. Haven't read the new one yet either.

Original poster
coffeeisnectar · 21/04/2016 21:04

My teen bought me Little Dribbling for christmas for me to read in hospital but my surgery got cancelled so it's still sitting waiting to be read. I know if I even open the first page I will be lost and it will be finished very quickly.

I've not seen the adaptation of Walk in the Woods but the book was fabulous. Loved it when Stephen Katz threw away the water because it was too heavy and he couldn't be bothered carrying it.

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Hulababy · 21/04/2016 21:07

I read the newest one a little earlier this year and then proceeded to re-read lots of his older ones. If forgotten how much I enjoyed them all. Just wish there were more!

HumphreyCobblers · 21/04/2016 21:07

I re-read him all the time. My favourite is Home. The Thunderbolt Kid made me laugh out loud. DH has just read Walk In the Woods. I have just finished The Road to Little Dribbling, absolutely brilliant!

So I am a bit of a fan.

JoolsSchmools · 21/04/2016 21:11

Walk in the Wood is my favourite. The audio book is really good too.

Badders123 · 21/04/2016 21:12

Fave prob walk in the woods bit retread home and a brief history of everything often

DraenorQueen · 21/04/2016 21:14

Oh GOOD THREAD, OP! Grin
I adore BB. Thunderbolt Kid and Walk in the Woods are my favourites but Down Under has some hilarious moments. His description of himself when he sleeps on public transport... or when hes being chased by dogs and grabs rocks for protection but ends up smashing himself in the head....

I went to Durha Uni and have seen BB around Durham many times - never had the nerve to say anything though!!

Original poster
coffeeisnectar · 21/04/2016 21:14

I've read Notes several times and finally persuaded dp to read it and he loved it. I must encourage him to read the others. I have them all except thunderbolt kid. I must get that bought soon.

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Original poster
coffeeisnectar · 21/04/2016 21:17

queen Yes! He's got a weird attraction for slobbery dogs hasn't he? :o They always seem to lunge at him while he's sliding down a hill or something.

I would have followed him about the campus and become his own personal stalker. I have very rarely felt so attached to an author in my life. I think he just nails things perfectly.

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tiredvommachine · 21/04/2016 21:18

Love Bill Bryson!
My first was Notes from a small Island but my favourites are Home and A walk ln the woods Smile

BertieBotts · 21/04/2016 21:19

Yes! I love him. I am currently reading his one about the English language which is fascinating.

It's rare that you get the laugh out loud kind of author but he definitely has that for me :)

Celticlassie · 21/04/2016 21:22

I love him. I laughed out loud a few times while reading thunderbolt kid on the plane.
Down Under made me want to go to Australia, and I've never had any desire to go to Australia.

DraenorQueen · 21/04/2016 21:27

Oh the one about language, Mother Tongue I think, is FAB. So interesting!
And oh my god, the inappropriate Grandma in Thunderbolt kid who sends him to the shop for N Babies..... I was dying!!!

gymboywalton · 21/04/2016 21:31

The lost continent is my favourite. I first read it when I was commuting In London and I used to read it in the tube, my face buried in my scarf and my shoulders shaking with laughter.

I loved notes from a small island too. We refer to grilled tomatoes as bloodclots in our house after he said he didn't know what one was and thought they were blood clots!

The Amsterdam section of neither here nor there....

froomeonthebroom · 21/04/2016 21:35

Down Under. When he describes cricket and listening to it on the radio. Funniest thing ever written. FACT. Grin

froomeonthebroom · 21/04/2016 21:37

And when he and Katz try to do that part of the walk through all the lakes, with all the fit scandi types carrying their rucksacks on their heads.

My MN name used to be BillBrysonsRucksack. Might have to change it back.

WhoKnowsWhereHerMajestyGoes · 21/04/2016 21:41

The chapter on filling in a US tax return in Notes from a Big Country is the funniest thing I have ever read.

Favourite books are that one, The Lost Continent and Notes from a Small Island. The Road to Little Dribbling was good but did feel a bit like a rehash of Small Island in places.

I wasn't all that keen on A Walk in the Woods or the Australian one but really enjoyed America 1927.

CocktailQueen · 21/04/2016 21:47

Have just finished Little Dribbling

Was disappointed with it - Bryson is more critical and negative than in earlier books, and not nearly as funny. He writes more like an old man. Shame.

My faves are Walk in the Woords, The Lost Continent and Notes from a Small Island. Love them, and can read them over and over.

DraenorQueen · 21/04/2016 21:50

Was disappointed with it - Bryson is more critical and negative than in earlier books, and not nearly as funny. He writes more like an old man. Shame.
Couldn't have put it better myself!

WhoKnowsWhereHerMajestyGoes · 21/04/2016 22:02

Yes, I agree. It definitely made me think "well, he must be at least 70 by now" a few times.

BestIsWest · 21/04/2016 22:02

Notes is my favourite. Down Under is funnier though.

I was disappointed initially with Little Dribbling but I have since read it again and liked it more.

There's no limit to how often I can re-read his books.

BestIsWest · 21/04/2016 22:04

Th light up Virgin Mary sea shell ornament and the counter pane. First chapter of Notes and I fell in love.

GuinevereBeck · 21/04/2016 22:09

I love Bill Bryson! My favourites are Neither Here Nor There, A Walk in the Woods and Notes From a Big Country. I have to say it, as another pp has noted, Little Dribbling was definitely not as good. It had a real 'will this do?' feel about it, and it pains me to say that as I love Bill's writing. When he is on form he can bring tears of laughter to my eyes. He's got such a way with description and such a dry humour. I love the bit in NHNT where he describes trying European chocolate for the first time and he compares it to a baby eating a bowl of pudding - enthusiasm, gusto and lots of drool (or something like that!). Must read Home, one of the few I haven't tried...