Revisiting this great thread (and need to review it for summer reading ideas!). <BR> <BR>Maira, I'm so glad you loved Corelli's Mandolin! I'm one who has been enthusiastically recommending it to everyone I know ever since I read it about four years ago. <BR> <BR>Two of my favorite authors who I've seen mentioned but not in detail, whose books are easy to get lost in (not europe-themed, though) are Barbara Kingsolver and Isabelle allende. <BR> <BR>Several people recommended Kingsolver's recent epic The Poisonwood Bible, which is wonderful. I a;so highly recommend her (shorter) Southwest-set The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, and Animal Dreams. <BR> <BR>Someone also mentioned Isabel Allende's most recent book, Daughter of Fortune, which is great, but her earlier books are even better. Especially for fans of Latin american magical realism, ä la Garcia Marquez and Borges, her first four books--The House of the Spirits, Of Love and Shadows, Eva Luna, and The Stories of Eva Luna--are must-reads. All combine moderrn Latin American (esp. Chilean) history and politics, romance and adventure, and absolutely lyrical storytelling. The House of the Spirits (please disregard the movie if you saw it), especially, is an epic, and is actually used in some university intro Latin American Studies courses. Fans of Corelli's Mandolin should love these books. Also, Allende's memoir, Paula, is fascinating and beautiful, as well as great fun. <BR> <BR>For the Italophiles (and others), I recently enjoyed the short and quick Italian Fever, by Valerie Martin. Second (third, whatever) recommendation of Le Divorce by Diane Johnson; great humor. <BR> <BR>I'm surprised noone has mentioned Smilla's Sense of Snow, by Peter Hoeg (again, disregard the movie...), a real can't-put-it-down mystery/thriller set in Denmark. I read this when it came out about six years ago, then lent it to my boyfriend for airplane reading...he couldn't help staying up to finish it after he arrived, despite the fact that he had a medical school admissions interview the next day! <BR> <BR>Happy reading. <BR>

Any new recommendations for a long flight?

Light reading, but *not * in tradition of Danielle Steele type books. <BR>Stone Gap Creek, by Adriana Trigiani <BR>About a woman (35 yrs.) who is a pharmacist inthe town she grew up in (Stone Gap) <BR>Her mother, who was Italian, has just died and she finds out that who she thought was her father is *not*, but another man , who still lives in Italy. <BR>The story is about her quest to find him, and also daily life in this small southern town. <BR>Not action, not mystery, just light hearted and sweet. <BR>Another book; <BR>Pears on a Willow Tree, by Leslie Pietrzyk <BR>Story revolves around 4 generations of women in a family , who immigrated from Poland to Detroit, and have been there since, except for one. <BR>The book moves from character to character. <BR>Also, light type reading. <BR>I have been spending so much time trying to teach myself Italian, that when I put those books down, I need something totally different. <BR>Nancy

hit post button too quickly! <BR>Another book is <BR>Honk and Holler Opening Soon, by Billie Letts <BR>Also books by Elizabeth von Arnim, she wrote Enchanted April, but also has some other good books, such as Christopher and Columbus. <BR>There is also a writer/storyteller from New hampshire would does commentaries on Public Radio, Willem Lange. <BR>His pieces focus on nature and on human interest stories. <BR>He has audio tapes of his pieces (some of the stories have brought tears not only to my eyes, but my husband's, and he is not a weeper) and a book of short pieces, called "Okay, Let's Try It Again" <BR>I am in the middle of reading North of Naples, South of Rome, by Paolo Tullio. <BR>It is pieces/stories about the Comino Valley , where he grew up, after WW2. <BR>It's very interesting and enjoyable. <BR>Enjoy! <BR>Nancy

I have had such enjoyment sitting here and reading this thread that I had to write to thank you all, mostly on the otherside of the pond,for introducing me to Wally Lamb. I had never heard of him before but on your recommendation I went out and bought This much I know Is True. I am still reading it and like it so much I have given another copy to my friend as a birthday present. Thanks to you all I now have another list of books to look out for. <BR>The world must be parochial when it comes to modern fiction as some of the writers you have mentioned I had not heard of before in UK. Barbara Kingsolver falls into this category. <BR>I often read short stories when I travel and would recommend Paul Theroux <BR>and ofcourse Raymond Carver. One of my favourite English writers is Margaret Forster who is quite prolific and as well as novels which are most readable writes biography. Do look at her books. They really are great. Thanks again and happy travelling.

Loved all the recommendations, and have pared down my list, "Pillars of the Earth" being at the top... <BR>Any ideas for pre-trip reading material based on Spain/Morocco, where I will be headed in fall of 2001? I normally read Sci-Fi, but have deviated on occasion(Memoirs of a Geisha, which I LOVED). <BR> <BR>Or perhaps, movies I could rent to watch before I go? I love movies w/ subtitles, my favs so far have been: <BR>*Indochine <BR>*Red Lantern <BR>...a few others whose titles escape me at this time...mostly Asian related, due to my "Memiors..." reading experiance...

I just finished the novels of Jean Rhys (all five in one volume). These are all stories of women, set in Paris and London. I wish I hadn't read it, because it would have been wonderful read for my upcoming trip to those two places.

Lisa, do a search for "movies": there are at least three long threads with lots of movie/video rec's for pre-travel viewing! <BR> <BR>Some of my own favorite movies to "read" are "Diabolique" (the original, French one!), "Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise," "Jean de Florette" and its sequel, "Manon of the Spring," and any Luis Buneul film. Since you liked "Indochine," try "The Lover," which has a similar setting/themes. Not subtitled, but good for Morocco, is "Hideous Kinky." <BR> <BR>Okay, enough off topic, and back to the books!

Lisa, try "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway set during the Spanish Civil War and also if you plan on visiting Granada "Tales of the Alhambra" by Washington Irving.

<BR>For fans of Corelli's Mandolin (count me in!), try The Jukebox Queen of Malta. It's sort of a "Catch-22 Meets Corelli's Mandolin"---and no, not really in the same league with either of these, but still a good read.

I've really enjoyed browsing through this posting. I'll print it for future reference and bookstore browsing. <BR>I can add: The Feast of All Saints by Ann Rice as completely absorbing, and also Robertson Davies' The Deptford Trilogy.

I would like to add my personal favorite, "Exodus" by Leon Uris (it's part of the reason my daughter is named Jordana Ami).

I think we're all missing one point here--there are a very special few books that can truly be called "plane books." While almost all of the books recommended here are books I have enjoyed reading on the ground, or haven't got to yet, most of the suggestions just don't make the plane team. For a plane, you need something light with some humor, an engaging story, and no plane crashes or hijackings. I admit to being a bit of a book snob on the ground, but anything goes in the air for me. The best plane books I have found are Maeve Binchy books. It's not rocket science, but she weaves a mean story, and it helps pass the time quickly. Save the classics and insightful, mind-expanding works for home or sitting in a cafe in Barcelona.

Here's another vote for Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. It's my favorite book! It's about this loser man that still lives with his mother in the French Quarter. He doesn't think he's a loser (au contraire!). The book chronicles his misadventures as he tries to get and keep a job. It's really hysterical! <BR> <BR>

For "Should Have"... <BR> <BR> <BR>PS: THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who raved about Corelli's Mandolin. It's the best book I've read in a long time.

And thanks to whomever suggested "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver, about a white American family from the 1950s-era segregated south, who move to the Congo to be missionaries. Although it's out in paperback, I bought it on tape so I could listen to it on my walkman while working out, and it is absolutely transporting. It has taken over my dreams and my daytime reveries too; it's all I can think about now. I am already in anticipatory mourning for the day the book ends and I have to find something else to read. Also, the book meets all the original criteria -- thick, fiction, and cannot-put-it-down. A terrific travel read!

Some suggestions for long, good books: <BR>The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand although it's a bit heavy. <BR>Gone with the Wind by Margeret Mitchell. If you haven't seen the movie in a while, this is long and good. <BR>Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. I would recommend Ivanhoe first b/c it's very good amd very diffucult to put down. Not much "literary value" as my English teacher puts it but I like it a lot. It's very long so that's good for what you want. One precaution is that the first three chapters or so are kind of boring but I really think you'll enjoy it. <BR> East of Eden by Steinbeck? It's my favorite book, and very good and involving. <BR> Also, I just read a book called Five Fortunes that was very engrossing but I can't remember the author. It was a new book though. <BR> Also, I must say I disagree w/Dan over Madame Bovary. I had to read it over the summer and I absolutely do not like it. Maybe it loses a lot in translation?

To the top!

after reading this thread i went to my book shelves and pulled out a few of my favorite fiction books. i have a method---i generally give paperback books to friends and i have a rule---when i give you a book you can't give it back, unless i specify upfront that i want it back. i buy way too many books. if i kept them all i'd have to buy a second house. i only keep the really great ones. these i really enjoyed or i wouldn't have them in my bookshelves still--- <BR> <BR>I Know This Much Is True-Wally Lamb-about adult twin brothers. one brother has emotional problems and the other brother (who is the narrator) thinks he's responsible for him. dysfunctional family history, etc. very good book. <BR> <BR>While I Was Gone-Sue Miller-Narrator is a 50ish female, married to a minister. Three daughters who are all out of the house now. An episode from her 1960's youth comes back to haunt her. <BR> <BR>A Widow For One Year-John Irving--Author of The World According To Garp, Cider House Rules, just to name a few. Written in the voice of a woman novelist who was born after her parents lost two sons in an automobile accident. Very good. <BR> <BR>Welcome to the World, Baby Girl-Fannie Flagg---An Adult girl whose mother mysteriously disappeared when she was in college. BTW, Fannie Flagg's other books are very good also---Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistlestop Cafe, and Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man. <BR> <BR>The Horse Whisperer-Nicolas Evans--The movie was terrible, but the book is great!!! A young girl has an accident on her horse and takes the horse to a man who works with horses with emotional problems. <BR> <BR>Also, not a keeper, but I just read and enjoyed---Tara Road---based in Dublin mostly. <BR> <BR>For suspense try any of Stuart Woods books---better to read them in the order of publishing because several of them have recurring characters. First one was Chiefs---was made into a mini-series several years ago. <BR> <BR>

Wow, what great suggestions. I'm in heaven and not even planning a trip. But now I have BIG reading plans for the next fifty years. I second "A Walk in the Woods" although I haven't read it yet. It's written by Bill Bryson, a prodigal ex-pat, who left Iowa for England and recently returned. One of my favorite authors for his humor. He also wrote The Mother Tongue. <BR> <BR>Another suggestion: The Mind of the Traveler, from Gilgamesh to Global Tourism, by a professor at FIU, Eric Leed. Not fiction, but thought-provoking, eye-opening, and, for me, a delight after taking his "History of Travel" class 10 years ago. <BR> <BR>I'm surprised to see Follett's Pillars of the Earth. It was wonderfully researched, and as an Engl Lit major with a medieval history minor, I thought it would be fantastic. The characters, however, were about as one-dimensional as I've ever read. BIG disappointment; but Follett's disappointed me ever since Eye of the Needle. <BR> <BR>When I travel, like some others, I try to read history books about my destination, but also try to find fiction set in the destination to create a romantic ambiance. Have a great trip and some great reads!