How could I resist being the 400th poster to this thread!!

I have posted 2-3 before and this time I'll like to recommend "The Nanny Diaries" and "A Prayer for Owen Meany". Agree that anything by John Steinbeck is worth the time.

topping so we don't lose it again!

A Fine Balance has it all. epic sent place in India during the partition.

Ken Kesey: "Sometimes a Great Notion"

Truly a "Great American Novel"

Not exactly serious litreature, but all the travel talk has me thinking about The Hitchiker's Guide to teh Galaxy by Douglas Adams. And all the sequels, too. He mentioned a planet that was so uttlerly beautiful that interplanetary tourism was causing erosion. And I can picture Rick Steves saying all you really need for three weeks in Europe is your towel and your copy of the "Guide."

new in november from Neal Stephenson is Quicksilver. set in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Boston and places in between this novel is set from 1670. It has political intrigue and history, great characters and action.

Ok-not even sure if anyone is still reading this thread but I have a very serious question! I've just finished Pillars of the Earth (the only book I've read twice) and I need something else to fill the void...something similar (ie medieval historical fic)...anyone??

Ani...it was recommended earlier, but have you read The Agony & the Ecstasy? It is a thick tome like PoE, in a similar historical fiction vein. It is truly my favorite book, and one I'm about to start in time to take it on the plane to Florence.

Not as deep or nearly as entertaining, but still an interesting story, was the new "Pompeii" by Robert Harris, I believe. It just came out and was a quick weekend read, but made me wonder what was going on in Pompeii in the 48 hours leading up to the eruption that decimated the area.

Re the suggestion for book about constructing medieval cathedral, and follow-up asking for similar suggestions... about 15 years ago a friend gave me an historical novel about Pilgrimage to Santiago Compostela and construction of gothic cathedrals, seems like somebody in the book was a stone mason. I'd like to read it again (I'm doing the Walk later this year) but I can't remember the name of the book. Can anybody help? Thanks.

Thanks Amy! I'll look into it!

Amy-is this by Isaac Stone? Just want to make sure as there are 2 books by this title. Thanks!

Jitterbug Perfume - Tom Robbins

I think my trip to Italy is making me also crave something by Umberto Eco. The Name of the Rose was good. Kind of a Medieval Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Also, Eco's Island of the Day Before was a good one set in the Renaissance.

The Agony and the Ecstasy is by Iriving Stone. It's historical fiction about Michelangelo. Enjoy!

LCFerd, I think the title of the book you are talking about is "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I first recommend that book on this thread (see posting dated 05/01/2000). It has been recommended again and again many times after that and for good reason; it is a great read.

this deserves to be topped again. it's too bad there isn't a way to "peg" really popular threads so that they never get lost. or put them in a separate subfolder easily accessible at all times. fodors? anyone listening? how easy would it be to do that?

ooooooh...I highly recommend Ahab's Wife. What a great read! It would be perfect for a long flight...Wish I could go home from work and finish it now!

I haven't time to read the whole thread, but Year of Wonders-A novel of the plague by Geraldine Brooks is one of my favorite books of all times. I read 2 books each week.

This novel based on fact is about the plague in England and one town's decision to sequester itself to prevent the spread.

With all the flap about Christ's last 12 hours, here is a great fictionalist account of 30 years yet to be accounted for.

Lamb (The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal)
by Christopher Moore

sorry that should be "fictionalized"