The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain by Bill Bryson, 380 pages

Bill Bryson is getting grumpy.  I totally enjoyed his classic "A Walk in the Woods" about America's Appalachian Trail.  I enjoyed this one too, but not as much.

It's great when he describes the English countryside, points of interest, villages,shops, museums and pubs he visited.  It is not so great when he repeatedly calls people idiots and fantasizes about hitting or killing those who irritate him.  Hellooo, Mr. or Ms. Editor . . . where were you?

So, read at your own risk.  For me, the enjoyable parts outweighed the sheesh! parts, but just.

Travels with Epicurus: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life by Daniel Klein. 162 Pages

I was drawn to this book because I like Epicurus. Most people think of the Epicurean life as one full of binge drinking, slatherings of rich food and an orgy or two…or three. But the Greek philosopher is not a bit like that. He is all about what really makes us happy and it’s seldom sex and a bottle of tequila.

Daniel Klein, a 73-year-old American philosopher, decides to go to Hydra, a Greek island devoid of cars –and in this silence, contemplates the suggestions from Epicurus and other philosophers about what might be the most satisfying way to live when you get old. He watches how the old Greek men pass their days and compares their lives to the old American men he knows.

Klein is honest in his assessments of old age and does mine some nuggets of wisdom from the old ones, wisdom worth heading. Thankfully, it is not face lifts and Viagra.  

(This title was requested through Interlibrary Loan)