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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Somewhat dated - though it shows how much life has changed in the last quarter of a century, and even in the couple of years between the first notes and last.
I am currently reading this book for the second time and I still love it just the same. Even though some aspects (facts and figures, eg) have become somewhat dated, the book as a whole still rings true in today's world. I love Bill Bryson's ability to tackle complicated issues in a simple and straightforward way. His observational style combined with the short essay format of this book really allow the reader to spend a lot of time thinking about the issues that Bryson brings to the surface. He knows when to be funny and when to be serious, and even when I am laughing uncontrollably I still feel like I am learning something.
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Enjoyed it thoroughly. It's a series of essays, originally written as a weekly column for a British newspaper, on life in the US; no through-line, but plenty of random observations and great story-telling. Some of the essays made me laugh out loud, and one or two giggle uncontrollably -- which is quite something when reading in an airport restaurant.
funny
reflective
fast-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
I don’t think short stories are for me. Some of these were funny but I kinda lost sight of the point most of the time.
3.5 - some of these essays are so funny I choked, notably the ones where he talks about going on adventures with his family. Others are not funny at all - like the fictitious renting a car or setting up a computer. I actually used to live in the parts of NH he describes here, and that was pretty exciting. A fun quick read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - a collection of columns Bryson wrote over the course of a couple of years after spending many years living abroad. While the book is a bit dated (it was published 13 years ago), it's written in true Bryson style: witty, sarcastic, educational, and entertaining. Given the format, it reads very quickly, and I recommend to people looking for a smart, funny read.