I'm a Stranger Here Myself (Abridged): Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away Audiobook

" Loved listening to this book. Actually, I did learn something from it: after listening to it I always put my hot water heater to "vacation" when we went away. We have a new hot water heater that does not have a "vacation" setting, but now we just turn it off when we are away. "

" Very funny. I especially liked the fact that the book is very personal. "

" Highly entertaining read. Though the last few chapters lose their way somewhat. I took a lot of anecdotes away from it and still remember them after having read it two years ago! Great book border line 4 stars because of those last few chapters. "

" Clever and funny, but too whiny. As his wife said... "bitch, bitch, bitch." "

" It's hilarious !!! Way better than 'Made in America'. I love his sense of humour "

" Parts are quite funny. I think it had to be funny though, or he would have looked like someone hypercritical of his own culture. "

" A re-read of one of my favorites! Super hilarious observations on American life. A little dated, as it was written in 1998, but the main themes still apply. Beware if you're reading in public, this will make you laugh out loud! "

" Part travel writing, part autobiography. Bryson always writes with humour and subtle flair. "

" I had thought this would be a narrative much like Bryson's other books, but it turned out to be very similar to the Garrison Keillor book above - a collection of columns Bryson wrote for a three year period upon his return to America, just like it says in the title. Very funny. "

" This was an utterly brilliant book. Educational, interesting and hilariously funny. "

" In typical Bryson style, this book was easy to read, entertaining, and made me think. This particular book is a compilation of short essays he wrote for a newspaper or magazine so it was a perfect book to read in 5 minute increments. "

" Good social commentary, laughs included. Bryson always has a fresh way of viewing the world; refreshing and humorous. "

" Great fun - with lots of slightly snooty observations from someone who prefers Britain to US. "

" A compilation of Bryson's columns about his return to American life from Britain after twenty years. I'm a Bryson fan and found some of his essayettes funny and incisive but on the whole, the book doesn't isn't as good a read as his books that are all of a piece. "

" One of his best, I think because it was so fresh. A great read for anyone who has ever been to Europe. The longer a time you have spent there, the more you will love this... "

" As someone who often feels out of place despite having lived in the US my entire life, I appreciated reading Bryson's take on coming home after two decades in the UK. I also appreciate knowing that I may as well not ever try to watch cricket. "

" so far this book is alternately hilarious and very thought-provoking. i really like it. "

" Very well written and highly comedic. Loved it and still go back to it every now and then "

" A collection of short British news stories. I like Bill Bryson's wit and perspective. "

" Very witty. A few laugh out loud moments. "

" I love this book...it's clever and funny, and Bryson does a great job of pointing out all the ridiculous habits and traits that are so prominent in many of our daily lives. It's one of the few books I can re-read without getting bored. "

" Bill Bryson is my hero and I'm a fan of all his titles, but this nugget discusses aspects of American culture in a hysterical new way. "

" Funny, just not something I really enjoy reading. "

" Very amusing, but some crudeness, unfortunately. "

" Very funny and interesting, like the rest of Bryson's work. "

" Enjoyed Bryson's wit and observations as always, and the smiles it brought as I read, but did not feel need to finish it nor would I recommend it. "

" Though somewhat out of date, these short stories were very entertaining. Love Bryson's style of humor; shame it took me so long to pick one of his books up. Someone lent me "A Walk in the Woods" years ago but I never read it :/ "

" The first Bill Bryson book I ever read. Actually laughed out loud more than a few times reading this one. "

" Pretty good book. A collection of his essays/columns written upon returning to the States. An interesting look at what makes America, in a sense, unique. Worth a read. "

" Interesting book on how the U.S. changes. I like the thought on walking. Made me want to walk more. Very informative. If you like to compare countries, this is your book. "

" As always, Bill Bryson makes me chuckle at every turn of the page. This set of articles about his return to the United States is both thought-provoking and simply entertaining. Naturally, there are a few lackluster passages, but overall definitely a great summer read! "

" Cute, short stories about American Culture. Some seem great, some seem fake, but enjoyed reading about somebody's view of our behaviors "

" Some stories were better than others, overall fun to read. I think Bill Bryson is a good venture into the world of non-fiction. :) "

" queuing and making rules.. 72 rules for a swimming pool... breakfast pizza.. hmmcalled by first nameanything cost more than $30 is unnatural.. "

" Humorous but a bit slight. This probably comes from being made up completely from past newspaper columns. It makes for light easy reading, read a column or two before bed for a few light laughs, but don't expect much more than that. "

" A book that truly made me laugh out loud many times. Great insights on America from an interesting perspective. "

" This is a book about an American who returns to America after living in England for 20 years. I like it a lot because it is a bunch of little stories about the things that he finds funny about returning to the United States. "

" What a great book to listen to while driving. I laughed so hard in parts that I could hardly see the road! Hmmm...maybe it's better to listen while NOT driving! "

" beware - most of the same columns appear in Bryson's "Notes from a Big Country" "