I’m a Stranger Here Myself,  Bill Bryson (Broadway Books, NY  1999)***

 

Here’s another book that I’d probably never have read if one of my daughters hadn’t recommended it as one of her own favorites (although I recall that she liked another of his books even more, A Walk in the Woods). I read all of this book over a period of weeks while ‘on the throne’.  It’s perfect for light reading because it’s actually a collection of witty and amusing columns on life in America, each only a few pages long.  It was written by an American who had just returned from living twenty years abroad in England and has now moved into a small town in New Hampshire.  His adjustments to life in the U.S. are often frustrating and always humorous, as were his adjustments decades ago, to life in England, which  he also mentions from time to time throughout the book.

 

In spite of his frustrations, Bryson is in love with his native country, even though he does sometimes find English customs pleasingly different.  His style reminds me of Andy Rooney in some ways, or maybe Dave Barry.  He does use hyperbole, but each of his mis-adventures is one that most of us have experienced.  I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this book; it’s a great reminder that the frustrations of day-to-day living are universal but not necessarily lethal.

 

Incidentally, I don’t in any way intend to disparage this book as ‘bathroom reading’.  I would have enjoyed it equally well on an airplane or in an easy chair listening to music.  I’ve even been known to read at least portions of far more literary works while on the throne.  I confess that I always read while at the toilet; it seems like such a terrible waste of time not to (no letters on this, please).