rosegarden Posted June 5, 2006 Posted June 5, 2006 Hi everyone, I've got quite a few Bill Bryson books to read (never read anything by him before) and I was wondering which one I should read first....or does it not matter? Carole Quote
Janet Posted June 7, 2006 Posted June 7, 2006 I agree that I really don't think it matters. I've read quite a few, and they've all been good. Quote
Sugar Posted June 7, 2006 Posted June 7, 2006 I don't think that it matters either. I've only read Notes from a Small Islands, but it stood well on it's own, and is a great starting point. It's scary how much you recognise in it. I'm not sure why I haven't read more. Quote
Sarahrob Posted June 8, 2006 Posted June 8, 2006 I made the mistake of reading three in a row, and by the end of book three it felt whiny. Individually they were all great books though! Quote
Sassenach Posted June 8, 2006 Posted June 8, 2006 The first one I read was "Notes From A Small Island". I enjoyed reading his opinions of places I knew. However, I've enjoyed all the ones I've read so far. Quote
rosegarden Posted June 10, 2006 Author Posted June 10, 2006 Thanks everyone for all your help. Notes from a Small Island it is! I'm looking forward to reading it. Carole Quote
1sillywabbit Posted June 19, 2006 Posted June 19, 2006 Carole if you enjoy 'Notes from a Small Island' read 'Notes from a Big Country' This is the only other one I have read so far.. loved it Both very funny, and entertaining Don't read them in a public place though! :oops: Wabbit x :wave: Quote
wiccibat Posted June 19, 2006 Posted June 19, 2006 Good advice wabbit, there are parts to his books that do lead to loud noises! Quote
1sillywabbit Posted June 19, 2006 Posted June 19, 2006 Yes and the more you try not to the worse it gets... :oops: lol Quote
steffee Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 Notes From a Small Island, and the others of that kind, such as Down Under and Neither Here Nor There are written as a journey across the UK (or Australia, or Europe) whereas Notes From a Big Country is merely a series of his newspaper columns put together to make a complete book, and as such it appears a little disjointed compared to the others. Also try his English language books: Made in America or Mother Tongue, which are very good, educational and very funny; and of course A Short History of Nearly Everything. Quote
Michelle Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 I have the latter upstairs, but I haven't even opened it yet. Is it something I can dip in and out of? Quote
1sillywabbit Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 He has a new one out in September 06 (UK) 'The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid' Its a funny new memoir, he travels back in time to explore the ordinary kid he once was... Sounds like it could be another good one. Wabbit x :wave: Quote
steffee Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 I have the latter upstairs, but I haven't even opened it yet. Is it something I can dip in and out of? Yeah I would say so, it's not a story where you can get lost if you take a long enough break from it. It's very educational, hope you enjoy it. Which book do you mean by the latter? From whose post, I mean? That applies to any of his books really. Quote
Michelle Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 Sorry, I'm trying to do too many things at once. It was in response to Also try his English language books: Made in America or Mother Tongue, which are very good, educational and very funny; and of course A Short History of Nearly Everything. and I meant the latter book.. ie A Short History of Nearly Everything Quote
steffee Posted June 20, 2006 Posted June 20, 2006 Sorry, I'm trying to do too many things at once. It was in response to Also try his English language books: Made in America or Mother Tongue, which are very good, educational and very funny; and of course A Short History of Nearly Everything. and I meant the latter book.. ie A Short History of Nearly Everything Thanks, I thought you meant my post, since it was directly above yours, but wih only a few minutes difference in the times between posts, I figured you could have meant the post before mine. Anyway, yeah, reading a chapter or so at a time will be fine, I reckon. Quote
poppy Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Don't read them in a public place though! :oops: Good advice wabbit' date=' there are parts to his books that do lead to loud noises![/quote'] Yes and the more you try not to the worse it gets... :oops: lol It wouldn't pay to have a weak bladder Quote
Icecream Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 It wouldn't pay to have a weak bladder Obviously there is something I shouldn't read there then. Quote
poppy Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 lol Icecream, no perhaps not at the moment ....and we don't want you going into premature labour Quote
Icecream Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Well I wouldn't. Apparently baby is considered full term at 37 wks. I'm 37wks 3 days. Besides, she hasn't responded to me climbing ladders, moving furniture, or busting a gut to get this test piece right at band.. Quote
poppy Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Well I'd say you're pretty safe with the Bill Bryson books then ...just might mean frequent trips to the loo Quote
Icecream Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 As if I don't have enough of that already.. Quote
Jeannette Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 OOOOH, I love Billy Bryson! It might have to do with the fact that I'm an american living in Europe who has travelled quite a bit. I really relate to the jokes he makes about both europeans and about himself as an american. I also enjoy the fact that while he makes fun of others, he makes the most fun of himself. It's all in good fun. If anybody wants to read a "typical" Bill Bryson book first, then I would say to go for "A Walk in the Woods". And while "A Short History of Nearly Everything" is an interesting read, it's not a humorous book, and therefore not typical Bryson. Quote
scottishbookworm Posted February 5, 2007 Posted February 5, 2007 I too have never read bill bryson's books! my brother-in-law is a huge fan and he's always got one in his hand when I go on holiday with mum and my sister and niece and brother-in-law. He'll probably have one when I go to spain this year again in July Quote
Liz Posted February 7, 2007 Posted February 7, 2007 I have only read one of his - it was the one where he goes round Britain. Thought that was very funny. Quote
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