I have read this and several others. I definitely enjoyed his humor.

Pam - thank you for your comment. Have you read Bill Bryson's autobiography The life and times of the thunderbolt kid : a memoir ? It's also a fun read.

No, I haven't read that one. I really like the one when he is back in the USA and travels around. But they are all good.

I've read most of Bryson's books and I think Notes From a Small Island is one of his better ones. I was at the Friends of the Library Shop today and passed on what I think is his latest, At Home: At Short Hisotry of Private Life. Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I passed on this one, even at only $2. Seemed a little too much in depth. Anyone read this?

Maxmom - I read part of the "At home" book written by Bill Bryson and didn't finish it because it was a one-week loan due to be returned to the library. I remember it being more contemplative and historical with a more somber pace than his other writings. Maybe it's easy to compare because he just does humor so well. Lots of people can write "somber" but writing humor is a true and unique gift.

Stacy; It's funny that after I wrote about passing up At Home I went to my TBR pile and there is was, so I guess something must have told me to pick it up. Now I guess I'll have to give it a shot.

I like Bill Bryson and am ready for a new book by him. I think I've read all of his other ones.

Chessey, hopefully he's working on one now for his many fans!

I'd love to read it. I visited England twice, briefly. British people are so friendly, not at all prim and stuffy. I once got lost walking in London. A nice lady I had just met drove me back to my hotel.

Thanks, Stacie! Thanks to you I went over to iTunes to see if Notes From a Small Island was available as an unabridged audio book for my iPod.

It was.

Thanks to you I bought it! and spent more than an hour wandering through various audio book lists. LOL Seriously, "Thank You!" I know I'm going to love this book.

I was stationed in England (RAF Alconbury) for nearly a year; it was my last assignment. I spent every free minute, every weekend, and every Holiday exploring every place I could get to.

Jannie and Caroline - Thank you for your comments and I hope you enjoy the book. We visited England about 5 years ago and just loved it! Riding on a double decker bus in London and seeing street names gave me goosebumps, since they sounded so familiar. I was sure they were used in books that I had read over the years. My "dream come true" vacation would be a literary tour of England.

Stacey, have you seen the movie "84, Charing Cross Road"? If not, get thee a copy of it, right now, (you'll probably have to try Amazon ) and watch it TWICE. LOL

The movie stars Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, and Judi Dench. The book, of the same name, is by Helene Hanff.

You will love it. I'm know you will, and it's a true story.

Info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/84,_Charing_Cross_Road

Here is a link that might be useful: Movie/DVD here

This post was edited by caroline on Sat, May 4, 13 at 17:28

Caroline - thank you so much for reminding me about this book and movie! I saw the movie and read the book, but this was many years ago. I certainly will watch the movie again. I just realized when you mentioned it that I can get a much better watching experience at home than at the movie theater where I first saw it. I like to watch movies on my laptop with it six inches away from my face ! LOL I just love the bookstore where part of the movie takes place. I'm going to go to the Internet Movie Database right now to find out details about the movie - I love doing this for favorite movies. And I didn't remember that Judy Dench was in the film. Another treat to look forward to.

Here is a link that might be useful: Internet Movie Database

I just finished my book "Bared to You". It's on the same order of 50 Shades of Grey. It was good but I preferred the 50 series better.

SamKaren
your resident DJ

SamKaren - with the "50 shades" books being so popular, there will likely be lots more published in this theme, and perhaps the original author will be writing more also. She has done great in writing for an audience that was lacking popular books, just as J.K. Rowling did with her Harry Potter books and children's literature. Now there are tons of Harry Potter imitations out there!

I love his work, the book A Walk in the Woods is hilarious. I was laughing out loud. He and a friend walked the Appalachian trail. I gave one to each of my son. I'm going to get the one on England.

I tried to read this book a few years ago and I just couldn't get into it and really didn't find it funny! SInce it's a bestseller I guess it's just me, LOL.