I just saw in a magazine that Bill BRyson has a new book out called "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid". It's about his life as a kid. As soon as I get to a bookshop I will be hunting it down cause he really is the funniest writer I've ever come across.

Anyone read it? Good, bad?

Here's a piece from the Guardian.

It has incredibly good reviews all over ,Jill. I am going to get it asap too.

One of my favourites too, excellent author.

I finished it last week. It was, as usual, an excellent read. He also appeared on 'The South Bank Show' last Sunday talking about his childhood, and showing many of the places he refers to in the book. When I was ordering my copy of the book from Amazon, I saw that he has another one due for publication shortly, this time on Shakespeare. He has been busy, hasn't he? And thank goodness for that. I think he's wonderful!


Oh, and ren - your cow is udderly wicked!

I have just ordered it secondhand from Amazon - I can't wait.

A friend picked it up for me and gave it to me over the weekend - I'm only a bit into it but am loving it. Typical Bryson style, I was giggling within pages.

And so nice to read a childhood memoir without truama and abuse in it! I hope that fad is over with.

This thread inspired me to re-read "Notes from a Small Island." I am still giggling away, fourth time round!

Have you read the Europe one, Ren? That's my favourite, when they're in Amsterdam and Katz gives his watch away.

Yes.I just love them all. I am looking for a used copy of the new one as we speak.

Deep joy - I received my copy of Bill's latest this morning. There is a double episode of 'Lost' on telly tonight. I am very happy.

I bought the "Thunderbolt Kid" this afternoon (W H Smith's are offering it at half price). At present I'm about half way through it: it's certainly up to his usual high standard.

I've ordered mine from the library - I see they have it listed as "on order" so I guess they haven't gotten their copies yet.
I agree with others - I like them all. I usually listen to his books on tape, and I've had people giving me strange looks as I walk down the street with my dog, laughing out loud.

I haven't read this latest book yet as I don't buy hardback books unless they're in charity shops. I'll buy it as soon as it's in paperback. It's nice to see Bill Bryson mentioned on here, I love all his books, my favourites are 'Notes on a Small Island' and 'The Lost Continent'. I recommend his books to everyone.

This thread got me all excited, because I'm a huge Bryson fan. However, his latest won't be published in the USA for several weeks. Bummer. I don't understand why books come out later here. I remember when I went to Australia and bought books, there were nice trade paperbacks available for titles that hadn't yet been published in paper in the USA...Paul Theroux's "Hotel Honolulu" and Lucy Irvine's "Faraway" were two I bought...cheap!

I'll just have to wait for October and Bryson here, I guess, but I envy all of you who already have it!

That's funny, 'cause I always assumed that they come out in the US before anywhere else. Hope you get it soon, it's a good read

I started reading late last night in bed, I took the dustjacket off first so it didn't get torn. When I woke this morning I picked it up again and giggled through the monning.

This is not a book to read in public, for instance, on a train. You are likely to laugh out loud and therefore will get some very strange looks. Many years ago I took Spike Milligan's Puckoon to the hairdressers to read while I was under the drier, much to the amusement of the other customers, this book is much the same for mirth-making.

I finished it, the tears ran down my face especially when I read about the bomb! Saying nothing more, don't want spoilers.

I agree Sue, it is hysterically funny.