I have just read the new Colleen McCullough book, Morgan's Run. It is about the first English convicts taken to New South Wales, and it is really good.

Hi Gina: <BR> <BR>I love "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtrey and "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive (can't remember her last name). Both great books. Have fun.

At Home in Mitford <BR>The Light in the Window <BR>These High, Green Hills <BR>Out to Canaan <BR>A New Song <BR>All are by Jan Karon. You will want to jump in the books, listen to Uncle Billy's jokes, eat orange marmalade cake, take Barnabas for a walk, and move to Mitford! <BR> <BR>Read anything by Peter Mayle if you're going to France. <BR> <BR>DO READ A Room with a View and go to the Piazza della Signoria and Church of Santa Croce in Florence! Take the road to Fiesole. <BR> <BR>Patricia Cornwell forensic mysteries are great for a "can't put it down" on the plane.

No-one mentioned all all time favorite of mine....Atlas Schrugged....read it 20 something years ago, but I haven't forgotten it. Timeless...

Sorry about the spelling..it's <BR>Atlas Shrugged....Ayn Rand

<BR>..still my all time faves."green darkness' and "katherine" by anya seton..both out of print and hard to find.. but definately well worth the search. <BR>lisa

What a wonderful thread. I found myself saying "Yes!" constantly not only to books I have read, but ones sitting on my shelves waiting to be read. Susan Howatch's novels--fabulous. Kingsolver--terrific; I only wish she were more prolific. Susan Isaac--fun, especially Compromising Positions. Pat Conroy's books are always a pleasure to read and engrossing. One of my favorite's is Irving's Prayer for Owen Meany, and Widow for One Year is beckoning from my shelf. I'm so glad someone else (MED) loved Russo's Straight Man as much as I did (the scene with the spiral notebook binding in his nose was hilarious). Chabon's Wonder Boys is very similar, but not as good IMHO.So my addition will be David Lodge. His books are witty and have won or been listed for British lit prizes. Many take place in a university setting in Birmingham (I think). They are all great, but my personal favorite so far is Therapy. And if you ever go to Bath, pick up Peter Lovesey's Last Detective. As I was going through the baths, so was his detective (looking for the perp).

If you go to Tuscany, I would recommend "Summer's Lease" by John Mortimer.

I'm surprised none of you Americans mentioned your own Anita Shreve. I am good for nothing when I start reading one of hers. The story races along and yet the English is so beautiful. Her best known is probably 'The Pilot's Wife' (although not to be recommended for those who are afraid of flying)Others I have enjoyed are 'Strange Fits of Passion' and 'Fortune's Rocks'

"Gone to Soldiers" by Marge Piercy is a few years old but a great read. It's set against the backdrop of WWII and how it effects the lives of 5 or 6 men and women. Has action but also a romantic tale.

I love any book by Maeve Binchy. She writes about Ireland and the people there. she is an excellent writer. Very witty. I can't wait until her next book comes out. Her first book I read was "Circle of Friends" which was made into a movie that was not good. As always, the book was better than the movie. Remember "The Thorn Birds" by Colleen McCollough? <BR>Also, I have read many of LaVeryle Spencers books. Her book "Camden Summer" is an unforgettable book. You will be transported to another place when reading any of her books. Very romantic without being disgusting. Good luck with your reads. I have gotten some great ideas for my trip in March.

Gina & everyone! what a great list of fabulous reads! Here's my 2 cents: <BR> <BR>"CHOCOLAT", VERY DELICIOUS !! <BR>" JULIE & ROMEO", VERY ADORABLE!! <BR> <BR>Enjoy the books, & the trip!!

Kathy, Sorry I missed your question the first go-around. The book is Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik. I got it for my spouse for Christmas because some of it deals with his favorite restaurant, Balzar, but he hasn't read it yet. <BR> <BR>Two other interesting (and fun) books about the French are by Polly Platt: French or Foe and Savoir Flair. Despite the fact that they are non-fiction and anecdotal, you find yourself racing through them. One intriguing theory mentioned in Savoir Flair is that the French don't volunteer information because they think you know it already and to volunteer it implies that you don't, which is insulting. Therefore, you need to ask lots of questions (and sometimes need to know the right question to ask--Catch 22).

Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively won the Booker Prize in 1987. I just finished reading it. It is exquisite. It plays with time, is a serious personal look at how time feels to oneself, and has some romance thrown in. I loved it. It's about a very strong woman who does her own thing/makes her own way throughout the 20th century in England. Lively has written other books but this is considered to be her masterpiece. I usually don't like descriptions of scenery, but when she does it for Egypt during Rommel's advances there during WWII, I found her writing perfect. <BR>Also, Green Darkness by Anya Seton, mentioned above, although out of print, is definitely worth searching for. It mixes both medieval time and the present. It's haunting.

Dear Gina: <BR>It's not thick, but a "must read" (if you've not already read it) is "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier. It's based in Cornwall, England. <BR> <BR>Another based-in-England favorite is "Tess of the D'Urbervilles." Even if high school ruined it for you, give it another try. <BR> <BR>After reading that, you must read "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. It's long enough to last the entire flight. <BR> <BR>"The Talisman" by Stephen King and Peter Straub is another favorite - also very thick. <BR> <BR>Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much is True" is one that I recently read while rocking my infant daughter to sleep (over the course of a month, not in one sitting!). It's thick, feels like real life, and, like "The Cider House Rules," makes you feel like you're emerging from a fog after you're finished. <BR> <BR>Hope you read at least one of the above...Margot

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (wonderful classic) <BR>or <BR>Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (movie is true to novel, but novel has sooooo much more depth!)

Gina, <BR>WOW!! Kinda makes you wonder if Fodors should not turn this into a book club! <BR>My favorite "could not put it down" book is "Memoirs of a Geisha." I did not think I would even like it, as I prefer Detective type stuff, but it was fabulous, very touching. <BR>"The Winner" by David Baldacchi is a great suspense novel, about a fixed lottery. <BR>And don't forget"Under the Tuscan Sun." <BR>Have fun!! If all else fails bring your Italian tapes and practice your Italian!!

For a totally different type of book try the Harry Potter series. They are wonderful!! I really enjoy listening to the tapes while driving. Sometimes I go around the block so I can get some extra listening time in!! <BR> <BR>If you think they are just for children, try the first book, by the time you are through with the 4th one, you'll understand the hoopla around the series!

My favorite thread of all time!! Thrills me to see it re-top as it does. Current book(s) to suggest is "Finbar's Hotel" compiled by Dermot Bolger. Have also purchased "Ladies Night at Finbar's Hotel." Nice touches of Ireland. <BR> <BR>Here's the tagline: "Each chapter in the book has been written by a different author, listed alphbetically and not in the order they appear. We leave it to discerning readers to identify them." <BR>

I just had to write and say THANK YOU to the people who suggested Corelli's Mandolin. I just finished reading it this evening, and I laughed and cried my way to the end. It is one of the richest books I have read in ages, a real epic of a novel that is completely satisfying to finish. And though it took me a few tries to get into it, once I did, it was more than worth it. Truly a great book. Read it, everyone!

I have to agree, Corelli's Mandolin was fantastic (I bought it after reading so many great recommendations for it on this thread!). I read it while on vacation a few weeks ago, and when I finished it, my father also read it. He has read a zillion books and agreed with me that this one was wonderful and so beautifully written (after all the many books he's read, this is the only one that he was referring back to certain segments and reading them to me!). I hope they follow it to the letter in the movie soon to come out. <BR> <BR>

OK, so I'm supposed to be working... <BR> <BR>Had to mention "The Vintner's Luck" by Elizabeth Knox as I didn't see it recommended earlier. <BR> <BR>Set in early 19th century France, centered around a vintner's relationship with .... an angel. Not everyone's cup of tea, but utterly compelling in my view. Enjoy

I have to say, if you haven't read them, The Harry Potter books are wonderful, and nothing will take you away from it all like those. My 12 yr old son read them first and recommended the first one to me, now I read them before I pass them on to the kids (and we buy 2 copies so they won't fight over them). <BR> <BR>Pillers of the Earth is also excellent! I am listening to it on tape while I work. <BR> <BR>The 3rd series is by Jack Whyte. I haven't seen it mentioned. The first book in the series is "The Skystone" and purports to be the "true" story of Arthur, beginning with his Roman Legionaire grandfathers. Wonderful, it will really take you away. <BR> <BR>And my usual fare is mystery/courtroom books!

the book, chocolat (recently made into a movie)--not super thick but you cannot put it down--setting is in France, the author is French, currently living in London and teachs French.

A new book from the author of Chocolat. Haven't read it yet but seems interesting and a European setting. A description that I got off a cookbook site reads: <BR> <BR>This is another magical tale from <BR>Joanne Harris. Like her previous novel, Chocolat - which has been made into a critically acclaimed film - the setting for Blackberry Wine is Lasquenet, France. We reacquaint ourselves with the villagers in the company of an English writer named Jay MacIntosh. Jay has impulsively purchased a home in the town, bringing along a special elixir bottled by retired miner Joseph "Jackapple Joe" Cox. The novel takes us from Jay's youthful summers spent with his mentor Joe to his life in London as victim of writer's block, and, finally, to France. Along the way, we meet Jay's mysterious neighbour, Madame Marise d'Api. Joe, a past master of astral travel, visits frequently. Is Jay dreaming or is Joe's elixir interfering with reality? The answer is well worth drinking in. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Yes, Blackberry Wine is a very enjoyable book. I read it quite a while after Chocolat. I felt I preferred Chocolat but possibly that was because I had enjoyed Chocolat so very much that it was still fresh in my mind. Blackberry Wine has the same feel to it.

My gosh - this is so fabulous!! I have already written down over 20 titles I want to check out! I have to chime in for Shipping News, and Harry Potter. I just devoured the 4th in the Potter series, and then my husband said (with a "wait til you hear my great idea" look), "honey, I'm gonna wait to read that one until we're on the plane to Italy," I was SOOO envious that he thought to do that - for it will be the PERFECT thing to make him forget we're on a 12 hour flight on Alitalia!! Oh well, I'll know next time to save the 5th, 6th or 7th one until we fly again :-)<BR><BR>Also want to recommend Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver, and Geography of Desire and Mystery Ride (Robert Boswell). Fabulous reads!! Also, for a good British author, I would HIGHLY recommend Therapy by David Lodge - he is so funny!! I can't wait to log on to Amazon now and check out all of the tips I got here. Thanks Friends!

I've just found out that Joanne Harris will have another book published on Monday. Also set in France, it is called "Five Quarters of the Orange"

"The Road to Wellville" was an <BR>absolutely hilarious, very entertaining book.

It's not about Paris. It's a no-brainer. But if you want the hours to race by, and if you like off-the-subject murder mysteries, the new James Patterson book "1st to Die" will definitely hold you !

What a great listing of books, but aren't there any murder/mystery buffs out there? Two of the best authors in that genre are John Sanford and Michael Connelly. I never start one of their books unless I know I can set everything else aside until I have finished reading it. And my husband devours every new release by either author as soon as it hits the shelf. Our tastes in reading material are vastly different, but we both love Sanford and Connelly. You would not go wrong with any of their books. In a totally different vein, I whole-heartedly agree with everyone who has recommended Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells--what a hoot!! Happy reading!

I would recommend (highly) "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I, like you, am a lover of historical fiction and "big, fat, get lost in" books and this one really was fabulous. The story revolves around the building of a Gothic Cathedral in England in the 12th century and the lives, over the centuries, of people involved in that. Perfect background reading, whether the cathedral you're visiting is in Paris, Florence, Munich. <BR><BR>I actually read this book about 4-5 years ago but, whenever I think about my absolute favorite book of all time, it's this one. <BR><BR>However, there are great recommendations here...I'm going to print this listing for MYSELF!!!

Since Maria recommended it first, "Pillars of the Earth" has been listed about five more times. Any OTHER Follet's?

One of my favorite reads was "The Poisonwood Bible" So good you won't be able to put it down.

Not fiction, but I enjoyed it nonetheless:<BR><BR>Richard Halliburton, "The Royal Road to Romance". <BR><BR>Richard graduated from Princeton in 1920 or thereabouts... and took off to see the world. He climbed the Matterhorn, swam in the Taj Mahal... was jailed for taking pictures at the Rock of Gibraltar (and was amazed to see it "live" without its famous "Prudential Life Insurance" ad running across it - gads, how long has that company been around, anyway...)<BR><BR>and so on. a charming read.<BR><BR>Beth

Gina,<BR><BR>An American author who has been recently re-discovered is one I would look in to. Try her "My Home Far Away". <BR><BR>Another good one is "Confederacy of the Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole.<BR><BR>"Memento Mori" by Muriel Sparks.<BR><BR>All are in paperback. Hope you like them.

Glad to see somebody else mentioned Larry McMurtry, because "Texasville" has to be one of my all time favorite reads. It was written in the mid 1980s and is the 30-years-later sequel to "The Last Picture Show." I laughed out loud so many times that I lost count. <BR><BR>McMurtry recently published a third and final book which deals with the same characters, called "Duane's Depressed." Glad I read all three books, but the second in the series, "Texasville," is still my hands down favorite. Each book is written to be read independently of the others, so don't worry about reading all three, or even reading them in order.

I am a big Paulo Coelho fan. The Alchemist is an excellent - kind of like the Celestine Prophecy sort of messsage but written much better. I also enjoy reading the 'Traveler's Tales" series. They compile short stories/essays on a country or city - I am currently reading their Spain edition and love it.

Gina,<BR><BR>Sorry I forgot to name the author of "My Home Far Away". It is Dawn Powell. If you like this book there are 12 more of her novels to read. One of them I particularly like is "A Time To Be Born".

Topping this for today's reading.