Quote Originally Posted by Big D View Post
For something non-fiction, I'd recommend Bill Bryson's The Lost Continent. It's an informative, hilarious, and sometimes grimly cynical account of Bryson's return to America after years living in England. There's a mix of social commentary, anecdote, and fascinating insights into small-town America at the end of the 80s.

In fact, I'd recommend pretty much any of Bryson's travel books for the same reason. Notes from a Small Island for the UK, Neither Here nor There for Europe, Down Under for Australia, and A Walk in the Woods for the Appalachian Trail.
Before I even opened this thread I was going to recommend some Bill Bryson because I'm currently reading Notes from a Big Country and utterly adored Notes from a Small Island, so I very much second the suggestion that you read some Bill Bryson.

I don't see how he's unfairly cynical. He can be but usually only for good reason. I think he starts one of his columns by describing how his wife just thinks he bitches all the time in his column, but I find his enthusiasm for little things like garbage disposals or junk food to be terribly endearing and that he displays a rather great enthusiasm for both Britain and America.

Otherwise, along the dystopian themes, try A Clockwork Orange or The Man in the High Castle.