Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson ★★★★ - Read for WEEK ONE - Book meant to finish in 2015 but didn't.

I intended to read this book prior to the end of 2015 - but unfortunately I couldn't get to it until it was due back to the library. I had started the first chapter to see if the book was something I would be interested in. I was immediately swayed by the author's writing style and humor. I couldn't finish it before 2015 was over but made sure it was the first book I read in 2016 :D

I'm on a huge non-fiction kick. I always associated non-fiction with the dry texts I used to read while in school. Not the case. This book was hilarious, interesting AND thought provoking. Several times I found myself looking up further information on topics mentioned in the book (such as Centralia - a town in PA that's been eradicated due to an uncontrollable underground COAL FIRE that experts could expect to burn for hundreds of years. That's freaking interesting).

Strongly recommend this book for others interested in non-fiction, especially those that have a bit of wanderlust in them.

I just watched the movie a few days ago, and bought the book a few months ago (I haven't read it yet though). I'm looking forward to it!

Nicole wrote: "I just watched the movie a few days ago, and bought the book a few months ago (I haven't read it yet though). I'm looking forward to it!"

There's a movie?!?!?!!? *Come on Netflix don't fail me now!*

There's a movie?!?!?!!? *Come on Netflix do..."

The DVD should be coming out soon- just saw an ad for it.

This is one of my favorite books ever. Someone passed it to me halfway through hiking the West Highland Way. I died laughing! And was most annoying as there is something about it which makes you want to read it all aloud.

It doesn't really make me want to hike the Appalachian Trail! My mom volunteers on the trail in New Hampshire and the stories she tells! What a crazy undertaking but Bryson makes you laugh about it!

The movie is out on DVD because I just saw it in the store last week. I resisted the urge because I always like to read the book first. I'm leaning towards this one for my week 45 book (related to a hobby).

I just finished with The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid and enjoyed it very much. His writing was so enjoyable! I would love to read this one too.

I listened to this on audiobook last fall, it was pretty funny.

Laura wrote: "The movie is out on DVD because I just saw it in the store last week. I resisted the urge because I always like to read the book first. I'm leaning towards this one for my week 45 book (related to ..."

Netflix delivered the DVD. Stick with the book, his observations and comments are what makes it a great book .Probably IRL Bryson is a dry fella who just happens to write wickedly funny stuff, but the way Redford plays him, he's just boring. Good scenery though, but not the joy the book is.

I loved the book but didn't like the movie too much! Robert Redford is way too old to play the main character. I've hiked part of the trail in TN & used to think I'd like to hike the whole trail, back in my younger days. After reading the book, I have a much greater appreciation of the difficulty of the trail and an admiration of anyone who hikes big chunks of it! Bryson has a very engaging writing style and lots of humorous stories from the trail. I highly recommend this book! I've got another one of his books on my list for this year's challenge.

Pam wrote: "I loved the book but didn't like the movie too much!"

I was at a party the other night and recommended the book. Half the room went "that horrible movie??" I hope the movie hasn't ruined people being willing to read the book.

I just finished this book for "An autobiography, biography, or memoir" but it was also one I meant to read lasts year and never got around to. I didn't think the topic would interest me as much as it did, but I really enjoyed the narrative and loved Bryson's quippy humor. Others have mentioned the different facts Bryson delves into throughout the narrative, and those were hit or miss for me. Like another poster stated, the Centralia account was very interesting for me (I'm from Pennsylvania and had never heartd of it) but his frequent rants about the park service, Rangers, government appropriation of funds for national parks were to long winded for me. The information was relevant, yes, and I agreed with many of his opinions. However, some "facts" felt so weighted by Bryson's on feelings on the subject in question that I was left speculating on his objectivity rather than the controversial topic (example: The National Park Service and their controbution to species extinction. I feel like there's more to the story and maybe Bryson has held back some facts). This is a memoir though, so it is perfectly within the author's right to flirt with the fact/opinion boundary as he chooses.

I read this book a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it!

I read this for my 2016 Topic Discard Challenge, a travelogue. I loved the book. Bryson is hilarious and can bring humor to any situation, regardless of how dispiriting or frustrating it may be. A couple of years ago I lead a group of students to Cumberland Gap to work with the Parks and help create new trails for the Appalachian Tail, so it was cool to read about his trek, even if it was in a different area than where we were. Plus for me, Bryson is from my home state, so I love reading his stuff!

3/5

I chose this book for the prompt: Week 7. 2 books related to the same topic, genre, or theme: Book #1

I'm doing "wilderness" as a theme and pairing it with The Great Alone.

I thought the parts relating to the actual hiking were pretty interesting, but I agree that some of the history was hit or miss for me. I've read several of this author's books and I found this one to be among his least humorous.