The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found it to be laugh-out-loud hilarious at many points and it never lost my interest. Bryson's combination of exaggeration and tales of the idealized 50's was so enjoyable to read. There's nothing much else to say - it was an easy but completely pleasant to read (it would have made a great "beach read," too). I will definitely be picking up more of Bryson's memoirs!

4.5/5 stars

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

This is one of the "classics" that I can understand why it's considered a classic. In some respects, it is simply glorified 18th century "chick lit," but the fact that it's still relevant and interesting centuries later makes it worthy of the "classic" label. Austen is a simplistic writer, with easy-to-understand themes and likable (for the most part) but believable characters. The end also leaves you with an appropriate amount of wondering, because the reader is left to contemplate whether the characters have really found happiness or if it's just their "pride and prejudice[s]" that has lead them to make the decisions that they did. (In some ways, it's almost as if Austen was intentionally leaving her book open for the dozens of spin-offs and "sequels" that have been written in the last few decades.) My final word - a worthwhile read.

4/5 stars