Wednesday, December 8, 2010

At Home - Bill Bryson - Review and Giveaway

Subtitled: A Short History of Private Life.

I'm a long time fan of Bill Bryson. I jumped at the chance to read his newest book At Home.

The premise for the book was fascinating. Bryson lives in a Victorian parsonage in a quiet part of England. He decided to go room by room and write about the history and impact on personal lives. So, for example the bedroom investigates sex, death, sleep, the bathroom - hygiene, the nursery- children's lives, the kitchen provides a wealth of subject matter. Indeed Bryson covers 17 different areas of his home, including the attic, stairs, the fuse box, the garden and many more. But if you think it's just household minutiae, you're mistaken. The narrative begins in the house buts slips out on tangents to encompass a much broader picture and then comes back full circle.

I loved At Home. It's not a book to be devoured, but rather slowly sipped and enjoyed. Bryson's investigative skills combined with his talent for turning those facts into absolutely captivating anecdotes made this a truly enjoyable read. I love British history and At Home was an entertaining account told in a totally unique manner.
 
Read an excerpt of At Home.
 
Two lucky readers will win a copy of At Home for their home, courtesy of Doubleday Publishing. Simply comment to be entered. Open to the US only, no PO boxes please. Ends Jan 2/11 at 6 pm EST.

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64 comments:

  1. ChrisDecember 8, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    Have enjoyed "A Short History of Nearly Everything" and "A Walk in the Woods" - he's always funny and his observations are right on target. Would love to read this new book!

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  2. LindaDecember 8, 2010 at 8:07 AM

    This sounds like a very unique kind of book, and like you I love British history. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Lou BelcherDecember 8, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    Thanks for the tip. I Love Bill Bryson. This book is a must read.

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  4. AnonymousDecember 8, 2010 at 10:27 AM

    I haven't read anything by Bryson, but have had him on my to-read list for a while. This sounds good.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

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  5. debbieDecember 8, 2010 at 10:33 AM

    I would love to read this, I think it sounds really interesting.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  6. Patti V.December 8, 2010 at 1:51 PM

    It sounds great. I love Bill Bryson - he's from my hometown!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 8, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    I would love to read At Home :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    http://scr.im/ladybugemail

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  8. a real librarianDecember 8, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

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  9. MysticaDecember 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    Don't count me in as I am overseas.

    Just wanted to say I have a giveaway on my blog - a gift card sponsored by CSN Stores. Please do enter!

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  10. LBCDecember 8, 2010 at 5:03 PM

    I really want to read this book. Hope I win!

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  11. LBCDecember 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM

    I suppose I should leave my email.

    darrowenator (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. Colleen TurnerDecember 8, 2010 at 5:26 PM

    This sounds wonderful! Please include me.
    Thanks,
    candc320@gmail.com

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  13. Susan Helene GottfriedDecember 9, 2010 at 5:04 PM

    No need to enter me, doll. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. gcpeach17December 9, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    I do not believe I have ever read one of his books, but, from the excerpt I read and your description, it sounds like something I would enjoy reading! Count me in!

    gcpeach17 at aol dot com

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  15. rhapsodyinbooksDecember 9, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    I would love to read this!

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

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  16. shanaelyseDecember 10, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    I'd love to read Bill Bryson--he seems to be really astute in his observations.

    shanaelyse@gmail.com

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  17. sharon54220December 11, 2010 at 6:59 PM

    I have not had the opportunity to read any Bill Bryson books yet, but I've had this book on my radar for quite awhile.

    Thanks for the chance

    sharon54220@gmail.com

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  18. MaryDecember 11, 2010 at 10:10 PM

    I love Bill Bryson! Great giveaway :)

    mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. AmberDecember 11, 2010 at 11:55 PM

    I would love to win please!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. BaniDecember 12, 2010 at 5:34 AM

    Haven't read Bill Bryson yet but I've heard good things about him. This would be a good time to try out his works.

    wakeupangel(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. AngieDecember 12, 2010 at 6:35 AM

    This book sounds like fun! Thanks for the giveaway.

    bruwkucteec ^at^ dunflimblag ^dot^ mailexpire ^dot^ com

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  22. CEBDecember 12, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    I discovered Bryson with "A Walk in the Woods," and then went on to read almost everything else of his. I'd love to read this, too.

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  23. bermudaonionDecember 12, 2010 at 7:47 PM

    I really enjoy Bryson's work - his observations really make me think.

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  24. Renee GDecember 14, 2010 at 1:37 AM

    This sounds like a fascinating book.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  25. Valerie Taylor MabreyDecember 16, 2010 at 2:42 PM

    count me in to win

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  26. RuthieDecember 16, 2010 at 7:08 PM

    This sounds so interesting...please enter me, thanks.

    ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

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  27. MeredithDecember 16, 2010 at 7:20 PM

    I haven't read anything by Bryson, but this sounds good!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  28. krstrppDecember 20, 2010 at 4:13 PM

    I loved Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods." Thanks for the chance to win a copy of his latest! (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)

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  29. Kylie CarlsonDecember 24, 2010 at 7:17 PM

    I love Bill Bryson's writing style! Thanks for the giveaway. kcarlson1152[at]hotmail.com

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  30. BeccaDecember 25, 2010 at 1:05 AM

    Sounds interesting, thanks! sbcashortie at hotmail dot com

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  31. nicolesenderDecember 25, 2010 at 2:37 AM

    Sounds llike a great read! Please enter me to win this book!
    nicolesender@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. rubynrebaDecember 26, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    This sounds like a very interesting book. Please enter me. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  33. NancyeDecember 26, 2010 at 8:03 PM

    Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  34. NancyDecember 28, 2010 at 3:02 PM

    I haven't read a book by Bill Bryson in awhile. This sounds like a unique book.

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  35. MaureenDecember 28, 2010 at 4:03 PM

    It looks like such an interesting book.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  36. 1993welDecember 28, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    This sounds really interesting! I have enjoyed other Bill Bryson books and would love to have the opportunity to read this one as well.

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  37. Susan O'BryantDecember 29, 2010 at 10:08 PM

    Love, love, love Bill Bryson! Would be thrilled to win this. Thanks for the chance!

    safoga at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. TaraDecember 31, 2010 at 1:08 AM

    This sounds like a great book! I've seen this one at the bookstore and was intrigued! Thank you for the giveaway!

    TaraTagli at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. sarahJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    I love Bill Bryson, and I would love to win this new one!
    sarah.stern.13 at gmail dot com

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  40. Heather BJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for the giveaway and introducing me to a new (to me) author

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ellie WrightJanuary 1, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    I love Bill Bryson and haven't read this yet. Please enter me.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    eswright18 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. NickolayJanuary 1, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    This sounds like a fantastic book. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. karenkJanuary 1, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    i'm interested in reading this book...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. AndriaJanuary 1, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    It sound really good. I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    I hope i win

    jim.coyne2@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  46. tallcappJanuary 1, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    I adore Bill Bryson. Ever since I read a Walk in the Woods many years ago, I make sure to read all of his new ones.

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  47. lisarayJanuary 1, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I've read everything I have been abble to find of Bryson's. I'd surely love to win this book.

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  48. lezanacJanuary 1, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    I have not read any of his previous books but would love the chance to try this one out lezanac@yahoo.com

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  49. ColengalJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    I liked "into the woods" very much and appreciate Bryson's writing style. I look forward to reading this book.

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  50. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Sounds like an interesting book.
    shawnac68@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Nance MeyerJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    I love Bryson's work. He has such a slight humor and intelligence to his writing which is great!

    nancymeyer1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. TaraB12January 1, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    I love Bill Bryson and would love to read this one!

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  53. CynthyaJanuary 1, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Bill Bryson is one of my favorite authors. I especially loved A Walk in the Woods and In a Sunburned Country.

    ReplyDelete
  54. susansmoaksJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    i would love to win
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Joanne GregoryJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    LOVE Bill Bryson!

    jednc @ hotmail. com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Candie LJanuary 2, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Sounds like a cool book. Thank you

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. susan1215January 2, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Sounds like a good book

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  58. Gloria's Bits and PiecesJanuary 2, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    I never heard of Bill Bryson but would like to read this! Thanks for entering me!

    ReplyDelete
  59. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    It sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to read it. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  60. dvice12January 2, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    This would be great

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  61. Betty CJanuary 2, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I haven't read anything of his yet but it sounds like the kind of book I really would enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  62. /\Heather/\January 2, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Sounds interesting. I would shudder to think what he'd write about my garage. lol
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

    ReplyDelete
  63. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    I would love to read this book!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. SandJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    This sounds like a great book!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!