Thanks for finding this for me this afternoon. <BR>This time I got to read the whole thing. <BR>Not Europe, but a good book. <BR>The Language of Thread, by Gail Tsukyama(spelling) <BR>It takes place in the late 1930's/1940's during the invasion of China by the Japanese.There is nothing graphic/gory. <BR>It follows a young woman who is a Silk Girl( works in the silk factories) as she flees to Hong Kong with a young cousin, and the ensuing war years. <BR>Very Good. <BR>One Pair of Hands, by Monica Dickens (yes, related) <BR>Tells of her escapades when she decides to get a job and hires out as a cook/housekeeper. <BR>Takes place in pre-WW11.Funny. <BR>Colony, Anne River Siddon. <BR>Books by Isabel Allende. <BR>Books by Elizabeth Berg. <BR>A trilogy by Sue Harrison, Mother Earth, Father Sky. <BR>Follows a young girl as she grows in Alaska area, set thousands of yrs. ago. <BR>Historical mysteries set in ancient Italy by Lindsay Davis (my husband enjoys them) <BR>These are just some I did not see here. <BR>I know this post wasn't really about traveling, but everyone needs a good book or two to take away. <BR>Thanks again! <BR>Nancy <BR>

Fodors editors -- any chance someone could compile this -- or perhaps start a new 'lounge?' <BR> <BR>Too much fun - and too much reading. <BR> <BR>If you're headed to Italy, try 'Hill Country' by Anne Rivers Siddons. Or 'Resistance,' an incredible WWII novel, by Anita Shreve. And 'Le Divorce,' by Dianne Johnson, has a prequel (??) -- Le Mariage. <BR> <BR>Enjoy.

Since Robbyn mentioned books on tape, it reminded me of a driving trip when I was totally enthralled with the audio version of "Cold Sassy Tree". Richard Thomas (of "Walton's" fame) does the narration. It transported me and made my trip fly by.

Gina, I've now got cramp from clicking through so many responses - what a question. I want to start reading them all too! You really must try the Diana Gabaldon "Outlander" series as suggested further up the postings. I've read al four in the series and recommended them to many friends. i have since had their husbands complaining to me as they couldn't put the book down in bed (!), one friend came in late for work "I just had to finish the chapter" she said "then I found I'd started the next one!!" They do tend to get you hooked, so make sure you don't just take one! <BR> <BR>Have a good flight - and a great read! <BR> <BR>Esme

Harry Potter just got me through a flight. I have a terrible time concentrating on airplanes and I get very cranky and restless, so it was great. I will recommend two books by Rohinton Mistry, living in Canada and of Indian descent----Such a Long Journey and A Fine Balance. Both about medium length I guess. Both take place in modern India and are just the stories of people's lives told very interestingly and movingly. My congratulations to those who were able to read The Magus---I finally gave up. Am looking forward to trying out these recommendations, I've got my list printed. Thanks!

Janwillem van de Wetering's series about two Dutch detectives assigned to the Amsterdam murder squad.

Gina: You asked for great captivating, can't-put-down, LONG books. <BR> <BR>How about Tom Wolfe's A MAN IN FULL (800+ pages and a lot of fun to read) <BR> <BR>How about James Clavell's SHOGUN, TAIPAN, and NOBLE HOUSE...terrific novels set in Asia. <BR> <BR>or M.M.Kaye's THE FAR PAVILLIONS which I bought in a book club edition years and years ago. It was a fictional epic set in the days of the RAJ in India...this two veumes totaled more than 1500 pages. <BR> <BR>Michael

Gina: <BR> <BR>Has anyone mentioned The Leopard? It takes place in Sicily and is translated from the Italian. I wasn't able to read all the answers but want to revisit them and take some notes. My book planning (which ones to take) for a trip is as important as any other aspect of the trip.

I can highly recommend all of Mary Renault's books, particularly those set in ancient Greece/Sicily. Also, the Arthur Waley translations of Japanese and Chinese classics. Agree heartily with all said re "The Pillars of the Earth", I wanted it to keep going forever!; and James Michener's "Poland" is a VERY good read

On a (somewhat) twist to this thread (and as an excuse to bring it to the top....), have anybody picked a book from this list as summer reading? I had to check Sheila's recommended 'Corelli's Mandolin' and LOVED IT! The opening chapter about the medical procedure had me rolling and other chapters had me on tears. Great book! I am now into 'A Soldier of the Great War', and have 'Homeststead' in line.

....oops! credit where credit is due....Beth enthusiastic recommendation of 'Correlli's Mandolin' was th eone that send me running to the bookstore. THANK YOU BETH!!!

What a great idea - I have a list of 20 books I need to go out and get. <BR>Two favorites not mentioned yet (I think) are Daughter fo Fortune by Isabel Allende (turn of the century adventure from Chile to California)and Timeframe (medieval time travel) by Michael Crichton.

BEACH MUSIC by Pat Conroy. <BR> <BR>WOW, what a book about a man whose wife commits suicide, he moves to Rome with his young daughter to overcome the pain and returns home to the "Low Country" of South Carolina and we get introduced to his dysfunctional family. <BR> <BR>What a treat, but I am from the South.This is just plain ole good readin! <BR> <BR>Read it all, 900 pages in three days, one of which was on Delta flights from SF to Atlanta to Philadelphia. <BR> <BR>PS Just say a quick prayer at the end of the runway and forget about it. <BR> <BR>From a million miler!

ITALIAN EDUCATION--TIM PARKS <BR>This is a sequel to his book Italian Neighbors. Englishman Parks married an Italian woman and is now raising children in Italy. You can find this book in the Travel Narratives section at the bookstore.

Thanks everyone for all the good reads listed! Gina, from what you have said you like- I think I have one you would love. It's perfect before Italy and you will not put it down. "In the Garden of Papa Santuzzi" by Ardizone. Fiction that is perfect for a trip. Language that brings Italy's paradigm and rhythms alive.

I highly recommend LONDON and SARUM by Edward Rutherfurd. Especially if you are going to England. They are long books, but really interesting. This was a great forum to read, what a wealth of knowledge and ideas of books to read. Good Luck

I've just finished Edward Rutherfurd's new book, The Forest, about William the Conqueror's "new" forest; and I liked it better than London.

For a European Trip, I would HIGHLY recommend Bill Bryson's "Neither Here Nor There"... This book is highly entertaining and I actually laughed out loud... <BR> <BR>Another book I would recommend is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett... It is a thicker book and emotionally gripping.

One book that is out of print but worth the search is "At teh Drop of a Veil" about an American girl that married a saudi arabian prince. They moved back to Saudi after one year of marriage and she retell s her experiences in the harem. It's sounds ghastly but it's really wonderful. Not Saudi bashing nor oblivious to the obvious questions that Americans would have about the culture. Tells many things about the difficulties being female would present living in an Islamic country but doesn't over do it. Thick and involving!

I just finished reading Follett's Pillars of the Earth that I discovered right here, recommended by many forum visitors. I enjoyed it, too!! It reminds me a bit of Crichton's Timeframe which also was a good read! <BR> <BR>Kathryn