Many years ago a friend started me on the habit of reading a novel on the plane that takes place where we are going. I have read some great books this way that I might not have otherwise. We're heading to Egypt for spring break 2010 and although I know it is early I thought I'd ask for some suggestions for fun plane books that take place in Egypt. I don't sleep on planes so I typically need at least one book to get me there and one to get me home plus another for the trip itself. Thanks!

You might try some by the author Naguib Mafouz. He won a Noble prize for his triliogy. You might enjoy that. The only one I can think of in the trilogy right this minute is Sugar Street. I have difficulty getting into his books, but lots of people in joy them.
The fun thing is that your tour will no doubt take you at some point to the Khan el Khalili and you might get to eat at the restaurant named after him in the Market. He died a few years back but they say he got his inspiration for these books in that neighborhood, so you'd really feel it if you'd gotten through one of the books.
I know where Sugar Street is finally, after all these years, and it's not too far from the Market.

The Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Infact start them now and read in order....as the plot is really continual. (Google them for the proper order...also I think Amelia is spelled diffently! You will have mystery fun, and learn a great deal about the history and facts of Egypt. Super books!

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Can't wait to get started! I was able to find both suggestions on Amazon!

Pauline Gedge has written a number of historical fiction works based in Ancient Egypt. I just finished "Child of the Morning," a novel about the life of the first female ruler
in Ancient Egypt (Hatshepsut). Although the novel is pure fiction, Ms. Gedge weaves ancient religious practices into the story. You can learn a lot about the characteristics of the gods from the book. It is particlarly valuable if you are
going to her temple outside Luxor.

Pat

Another vote for the Amelia Peabody series. Great fun!! Mystery, romance, Egyptology - and great characters.

http://www.ameliapeabody.com/bookshelf.htm


There was another series of books I read when we first moved to Egypt, all based on the life of Ramses. A bit soap-opera-y - but fun, entertaining, and interesting.

The Ramses Series - by Christian Jacq
The books:
The Son of Light
The Eternal Temple
The Battle of Kadesh
The Lady of Abu Simbel
Under the Western Acacia
This is the fascinating, and sometimes exciting, story of Ramses the Great, and his wife Nefertari. Moses appears throughout the stories, and eventually leads the Jews out of Egypt. Ramses' brother plots treason. The cruel Hittites test Ramses' military abilities. An evil magician casts murderous spells. And Ramses always wins, with the help of the gods.

I have read a lot of Mahfouz -- a good first book may be "The Beginning and the End."

Ou yes yes....the Christian Jacq books....EXCELLENT!!! All of these are great suggestions...and you should try some of Mahfouz......just cuz!!

I found more super books to read before Egypt and China than I do most countries. I always spend the last 3 to 4 months before a journey reading stuff......it makes the trip last longer!!...plus makes me a wee bit smarter about where I am going.

I am bringing Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile" (of course! since I'll be taking a 4 nite cruise and because I'm also a huge Elizabeth Peters fan (Amelia Peabody series) and have read that series, I'm bringing "The Jackals Head" by the same author.

Forgot about Agatha Christie - and we will be doing a 4 night Nile cruise also. Guess I'll have to bring that one also. I had thought about getting a Kindle for the trip (although I really love actual books) but it seems that most of the books suggested here are not available for the Kindle. So books it is! Then I just pass them on or leave them behind when I am done.

jcasale - if you take paperbacks (and time it well) - some of the cruise ships have cabinets full of games and books. They might appreciate some Egypt-oriented additions.

Thank you for all these suggestions. I just re-read the Amelia Peabody series - I love those books!!! They are so much fun and Peters' style is very witty. I recommend her books highly. I also agree with the suggestions of Pauline Gedge's books.

I'm leaving for Egypt October 1 and just got a Kindle and added 4 of the Jacq books on Ramses, Elizabeth Peters' history - "Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphics" and "Death on the Nile." I've read Pauline Gedge's books about Thu (House of Dreams and House of Illusions) and will eventually pick up more. "Child of the Morning" is at my library and I'll read it before I go.

jcasale - I love actual books too but I read so fast. The end result is that I take too many books and they're heavy, even though I leave them as I travel. They're usually from a thrift shop as well. So, the Kindle is new to me and it's screen is easy to read so far. It's small, light and takes very little room. The Gutenberg project has some free books for Kindle, including some public domain histories from 19th century archeologists....

Lots of fun books out there to read while on the plane!

Jane

In addition to "death on the nile" and peter's "jackal's head", I've downloaded real life adventuress amelia edwards' "a thousand miles up the nile" to my mp3 player.

I recommend Naghib Mafouz also. Also I just saw that there is a new book out called King Tut. It may not be released yet but it a fiction book but will probably have many traditional landmark references in the book.

I really like Mahfouz's The Beginning of the End as it really gives us a look into cairo in the older days.

Thank you all-i have noted for our trip to egypt next year-Chris

I thought about getting a Kindle for this trip, but it seemed like a lot of the books I wanted to get (like the guidebook and the first two books from the Amelia Peabody series weren't available yet for Kindle so I decided against it at this point. But I'm getting close and this trip might tip me over the edge. I will read probably one book on the way over and one on the way back, but probably won't do as much reading on the trip since we have some good friends going with and we will likely play cards when we have some down time. I'm really excited! I got a book on Cleopatra (The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George) that turned out to be huge so I will probably read that over winter break to get me ready rather than take it with.

Jcasale......The George book is FABULOUS!!!!! It reads like a silly beach read but the info is spot on!!! She is quite a respected author in historical circles. Enjoy it!!!

I don't have any suggestions.. sorry.. but I just wanted to say what a fabulous idea this is. Have fun on your trip.

Leanna - thanks for the encouragement on the George book. I'm almost finished with the generic book I am reading right now and it's too soon to start my book for our "President's Book Club" (yes, we're strange and get together with two other couples several times a year to learn about one of the presidents) so maybe I will start reading about Cleopatra.

Im a John and Abigail fan myself!!!! I think you will like Cleo.....I've been a bit disappointed in her last 2 books....but 3 of them were super! Happy reading!!