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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
The relationship between the premise and the content was very loose in some chapters. I didn't enjoy this book as much as other books by Bill Bryson.
I listened to the audiobook.
I listened to the audiobook.
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I recommend this to everyone and I reference it all the time. Full of fascinating details and anecdotes in a very digestible format, this is a great nonfiction read for readers like myself who aren’t typically drawn to nonfiction.
I am a fiction reader - I love the smooth narrative that I can read quickly. Bryson isn’t a fiction writer, and he packs in so many important details (and funny comments), that I can’t skip a word…making his books even lengthier. My mild distaste for nonfiction is on me, and Bryson is going to excel regardless of MY opinions. This title was more focus on Britain than I expected at the outset, but I still found it interesting. It also fairly successfully eliminated any lingering desire to have lived in the past. I’ll take mu creature comforts, and I’ll give my kids a childhood. It’s interesting, detailed, and informative, but it took every bit of the nearly three weeks I read it.
saw this book in the Amsterdam airport. Should have purchased it then. Now I must wait until October. Herrumpf!!
Worth the wait. Bryson always has a whimsical way about his writing and reporting. It's the sort of book you find yourself reading tidbits aloud to anyone willing to listen.
Worth the wait. Bryson always has a whimsical way about his writing and reporting. It's the sort of book you find yourself reading tidbits aloud to anyone willing to listen.
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
It took me FOREVER to finish this because I was doing academic workshops in Indonesia for two weeks and basically had no energy to read for pleasure at all during that time. BUT, this was worth finishing! Really enjoyed the endless random facts, and wish they'd all stick in my head longer than the next few days. I especially enjoyed the chapter all about stairs and (surprisingly, yet unsurprisingly) how dangerous they are!
A happy return to Bill Bryson. He's still got it.
A happy return to Bill Bryson. He's still got it.
Interesting take on things. Nice combination of history and general topics. A bit depressing in parts, as not necessarily the aspects of history you want to hear about in a book called "Home". It is true to Bryson's style though to go a little off topic or key in too heavily on one area to the detriment of others. For me, the first half of the book was more interesting than the last.
This is the first Bryson I've read (well, listened to in this case), and I really enjoyed it. Tons of fascinating tidbits, great stories, and interesting histories. I learned a lot from it, and it was well-written.
As for the audiobook, overall it was very well done. I had some issues at the beginning - Bryson sort of sounds like he has cotton balls in his mouth, and could be hard to hear clearly - I had to turn the volume up in my car much higher than for other audiobooks. Once I got used to his voice though, he really does a great job narrating (I always prefer when the author narrates their own work). Highly recommended, and I'll be looking for more Bryson.
As for the audiobook, overall it was very well done. I had some issues at the beginning - Bryson sort of sounds like he has cotton balls in his mouth, and could be hard to hear clearly - I had to turn the volume up in my car much higher than for other audiobooks. Once I got used to his voice though, he really does a great job narrating (I always prefer when the author narrates their own work). Highly recommended, and I'll be looking for more Bryson.