Thanks for letting us know, sheriz6. My thinking is that Peter Ackroyd's recently published book on Shakespeare might have delayed Bryson's. But I like his other books, and this will be another great read too.

Adam

Another Bryson fan here. I've read everything he has written and some twice so am ready for something new. Let's hope he will still follow through with the Shakespeare one. I just know it would be great reading.
Thanks for the heads up about Thunderbolt Kid.

For anyone who'd like a preview of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, the Guardian Books website is offering excerpts. Based on what I've read so far, this should be great fun!

Here is a link that might be useful: Excerpt - The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

Bill Bryson is reading The Thunderbolt Kid on the BBC Radio 4 everyday this week. And as I live in a stone-built house in Gloucestershire on the edge of the area for receiving FM radio I also have to listen to it via the computer.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Bryson reads The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.

Bryson runs hot and cold for me - and I am not big on memoirs. But his funniest bits are when he is telling on himself so this just might be a good one.

I'm sure this will be good. Can't wait for it.

Just saw Bryson last night at City Arts and Lecture series. I could have listened to him all night long. Great stories. I got to ask him a question, " What books writers do you enjoy reading?"

Surprisingly, he doesn't read for enjoyment! He is always doing research and feels that he has to read everything he can about that subject. Said when he was in Tuscany with family on vacation he picked up and Anne Tyler that had been left in the house and although he thought it was good he felt too guilty reading for no purpose! and never finished it.

I also asked if The Thunderbolt Kid had read Donald Kaul, a long time columnist for the Des Moines Register, where his parents worked. He agreed with me that Kaul was brilliant and another example of good journalists who remain unknown because they practice in a small local area. (The other was his father a sports writer. I never read the sports page in my youth, so didn't remember him.) Kaul was much funnier and much more wide ranging in topics than Dave Barry. He was also the founder of the somewhat famous RAGBRAI bike ride across Iowa.)

And he is still working on the Shakespere bio. He also would like to do a book on Canada but says publisher's eyes glaze over when he suggests it.

So has anyone else seen him on this book tour?

I wanted to get down into San Francisco Tuesday, but when I heard the traffic report my enthusiasm subsided and off I went to sulk. I loved Thunderbolt Kid. What a gift.

Just an update, his Shakespeare book is on the way, though I was surprised to find that it's not a typical Bryson book, rather it's part of a series titled "Eminent Lives".

The synopsis states: "Following his international bestsellers 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' and 'The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid', Bill Bryson has written a short biography of William Shakespeare for the Eminent Lives series -- which seeks to pair great subjects with writers known for their strong sensibilities and sharp, lively points of view." Gotta admit I'm a bit disappointed as I was expecting a stand-alone, trademark goofy Bryson take on the Bard that wouldn't be so sensible as to belong to a series.

It's not showing up on Amazon US, but it is available for pre-order on the UK site and is due for release in September.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Bryson on Shakespeare

I'm astonished - this book has been out in Australia for ages, from before Christmas.

Astrokath, have you had a look at it? I am planning to get it eventually, but would love to know if it's truly a "Bryson-ish" book or if he's toned himself down a bit to contribute to a series. Any info on it would be appreciated!

Sheri, I enjoy Bryson's work but cannot imagine he can add much to the huge raft of literature out there about Shakespeare. Perhaps they think his brand of humour will make the Bard more interesting for modern kids?

Kath, are you sure? Because the A&R website says that it will be published on 3 September 2007.

Sheri, I haven't had a chance to look at it, sorry.

Adam, I have carried the book around the shop a fair bit, so yes, quite sure *g* (Frankly, what would A&R know? I work for Dymocks haha)

Here is a link that might be useful: Dymocks site

Now, I checked the A&R website because Amazon said that Bryson's book wasn't to be published until November 2007 or thereabouts. But the Dymocks link you gave was for The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, his recent book. However, the conversation had changed to his forthcoming Shakespeare book, not Thunderbolt Kid. Perhaps this is where the confusion is?

Mea Culpa, I was talking about the Thunderbolt Kid,
following sheri's post:

"For all the Bryson fans here, there's a new book coming. He has written a memoir of his childhood, due out in October, entitled The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid."

However, I am still astonished that that book isn't out in the US yet :-)

Kath, the Thunderbolt Kid has been out for quite some time in the US, I have it and it's a very entertaining book. My later post was about his new Shakespeare book -- I probably should have started a new thread rather than tack it on to this one, my apologies for any confusion!

Oh dear, have finally just realised what is going on!!
Sorry folks, didn't notice the year was 06 on the original post.
It must be time for me to go to bed *g*

That is not a new book....it was out in 2006.
I just finished it and must say it is a wonderfully funny, laugh-out-loud read!
If you grew up in the 1950's or 1960's you will just love it.

Bill Bryson is a national treasure!

I saw Bryson this spring at the SF City Arts a nd Lectures series. I (even, gasp) got to ask him a question in the Q&A session afterwards. (It was of no interest to anyone who didn't read the Des Moines Register, during the 60- 70's.) And I agree he is a national treasure for all English speaking countries. I cam't wait for the Shakespere book. I would worry if I hadn't so enjoyed His History of Everything! What a mind!

Bryson is going to be doing a book tour in the US to promote the paperback release of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. Here are the preliminary dates and places:
* October 23 Â Borders (Time Warner Center) Â New York, NY
* October 24  Harvard Bookstore  Boston, MA
* October 29  Philadelphia Free Library  Philadelphia, PA
* October 29  The Folger Shakespeare Library, 7:30pm  Washington, DC

I still can't find any new info on his forthcoming Shakespeare book. I've linked to his website, below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Bryson

The newest Bill Bryson that I've read about is entitled: Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors. It's due in stores on March 11. I've heard nothing on the Shakespeare book by him, however.

What were some of your opinions on The Thunderbolt Kid?

PAM

PAM, I really enjoyed The Thunderbolt Kid. It was very funny and was a great glimpse of not only his childhood, but of the whole era. I did come away with the impression he was still rather pining for "the good old days."

I'll have to look for the Dictionary for Writers and Editors, thanks for that info!