The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid has kept me awake and I haven't turned a page

[JoolsToo]

Dh is reading it, started on holiday.

He's been rolling around on the bed laughing and I can't get to sleep.

'OK' says I, read me that last bit - so he gets about two words out and goes into convulsions of laughter again. I wish he'd hurry up and finish it then I can see what all the fuss is about!

That's the trouble with Bill Bryson's books - you can't read them in polite company! I remember dh laughing like a drain over BB's explanation of the Teton mountain, in Small Continent.

They were discovered by French explorers, who thought they looked like norks so gave them the french word for breast - teton. BB's final rejoinder was 'Thank goodness the French didn't discover the Grand Canyon.' Cue hours of bed-shaking laughter from dh!

have memories of fleeing packed train after odd looks from fellow passengers while i read his attempts to cross a road in Paris

gave this one to dh for fathers day in hope to read it soon

I love Bill Bryson, and yes they are totally laugh out loud. I have got about 1/4 through thunder bolt kid so far.

really intersting reading about his family as well, Iwould have imagined his mum as the real homely type not the exciting media person!

Love the descriptions of saturday shopping in department stores and what they get up to as well..class!

Haven't bought this yet, but am looking forward to it. frankiemum - I'm amazed at his mum being an exciting media person - I only know his description of her turning on her indicator when she leaves home and leaving it going for the whole journey - whenever DH and I see anyone with their indicator going unneccessarily, we say 'It's Mrs Bryson'.

I've bought it but not started it yet, glad to hear its funny

Just finished, absolutely hilarious! Has inspired me to go back and read some of his older books. He is very Pratchett-esque in his sense of humour - cracks me up

I love Bill Bryson. I can read his books over and over and never get bored.

I went to a "meet the author" evening the other night which he did to launch the paperback version.

He wasn't feeling very well so the chat and jokes were curtailed a bit but afterwards there was the book signing and about 100 of us queued, some had more than 6 for him to sign (!), and he was so pleasant and gentle with every single one of us even though he must have been feeling rotten.

So not just a funny man but incredibly nice as well