In a Sunburned Country

When I planned my trip to Australia I was pretty much a newbie when it came to reading travel books. I was headed to my final of the seven continents, and already held a great appreciation for traveling, but hadn’t read much in the way of travel literature. I was hesitant to pick up a book talking about another person’s trip somewhere since I didn’t want it to influence my own adventure, but I had heard so many good things about this Bill Bryson fellow and his book, In a Sunburned Country.

Looking back on it I laugh at my naivete since I now consider Bryson to be a household name, but I had only vaguely heard of him at the time. I quickly became quite familiar with him though as a book that I bought on a whim before a trip Downunder caused me to pick up a book of his seemingly as often as I go to the book store.

I love In a Sunburned Country and find it to be a great read, particularly for anyone going to Australia, and would recommend it to anyone. Bryson’s humor and wit make it difficult for me to put down any of this books, but particularly this one. I found myself laughing throughout most of the book as I became inspired to branch out from my normal reading list to a new genre that I didn’t pay any attention to until I was on a plane headed for my last continent.

In a Sunburned Country is definitely a favorite travel book of mine, and Bill Bryson a favorite author. Because of it and him I’ve now jumped without caution, feet first, into the travel genre and can’t seem to get enough of his books. And while I’d recommend most any of this books, I suggest starting out here, as I did, if you haven’t read any of his work in the past, and get ready for a great ride like mine.