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Anthony Powell's 12-novel opus "A Dance to the Music of Time" is great. A thorough presentation of upper-class and artistic London from 1921 to about 1960. The paintings found in the various London art museums are among the many cultural touchstones alluded to in this excellent work. <BR>Standouts for me among Dickens' works are "The Pickwick Papers" and "David Copperfield" both of which involve a good deal of travel around the southeast of England. The amount of walking David Copperfield does is staggering. On one occasion he walks from London to Dover, while as an adult he commutes on foot from Highgate (then a country village) to Central London roundtrip every day, and frequently can't keep himself from strolling out to Surrey after work to lurk around his girlfriend Dora's house. None of this, except perhaps the jaunt to Dover, is presented as anything particularly unusual. <BR>Balzac's "Pere Goriot"--brilliant Parisian novel by and about actual Parisians (as opposed to Anglophone expatriots). The style and viewpoint of this book, written in 1830, are 40 years ahead of the time when similar ones began to appear in English writing. <BR>Fitzgerald's "Tender is the Night" does a pretty thorough route of the hot tourist spots of the 1920's and 30's, in considerably grander style than that taken by our latter-day mass tourists. The writing is good too. <BR>Almost any of Franz Kafka's books are good reading for the former Austro-Hungarian empire, it almost goes without saying. <BR>Samuel Johnson's "Lives of the Poets" is a great study of the English scene, and not just literary, from 1650-1750, one of the best books I've ever read. <BR>Plutarch's Lives is also extremely rewarding to read through, and a great introduction to the classical world.

Lots of great suggestions here. But in a totally different vein...anything by David Sedaris. He is without a doubt the funniest man on the planet. If you want to laugh out loud all the way to Europe, check him out. Especially pertinent would be his latest "Me Talk Pretty One Day" about his life in France.

What a great post! I heartily second the David Sedaris, Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Harry Potter suggestions, and want to add "Mystical Paths" by Susan Howatch, which made me forget I was on a plane altogether. <BR> <BR>Also, "Paris to the Moon" is an enchanting book, a perfect read while on the way there.

I've been reading all things Italy for some time now and have to recommend THE HILLS of TUSCANY. It's set in Montapulciano, but is really a love story of the author Ferenc Mate and his wife, in a very subtle way. Fabulous whether you are headed there or not. <BR> <BR>I, too, enjoyed SMILLA'S SENSE of SNOW, and tryed to read it while in England - it was just too disorienting. Read it, but at home!

For Bri...

A true page turner is "7 Steps to Midnight" by Richard Matheson. This book is AMAZING. You can not stop reading it and then whatever you think might happen in the end, doesn't. I challenge anyone to guess the ending of this book before getting there. I have lent this book to more friends then any other book and it suprises everyone! Good on any flight...

All good recommendations but you mentioned you need a book to help you forget how afraid you are to fly. I just read a novel that came out last year. Its about this woman who motors around the British Isles looking for hunky male hitchhikers. The book turns into a science fiction morality tale thats a tour de force. Just cant remember the title or the author but it will take your mind off the flight for sure.

"Open Heart" by A.B. Yehoshua takes place in Israel, India, Italy & England... I read it on a beach vacation in Costa Rica. An incredible book.

Two stupendous books: <BR> <BR>The Eight by Katherine Neville <BR>The Quincunx-can't remember the author.

OK, it's nonfiction, but I just finished an EXCELLENT book. It is very thick and I could not put it down. Anyone interested in learning a little more about Afghanistan should check out "An Unexpected Light" by Jason Elliot. It's a travelogue -- fascinating and insightful. (And his photo on the book jacket is the icing on the cake.)

I haven't looked at this thread for months... but it's wonderful. I see books I love mention, David Sedaris, Katherine ? Eight, I now have to scroll back through to make a list for my library visits! Thanks all

Sorry, did not take the time to read through all 292 posts, so if I repeat please do not get upset. Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss is a wonderful historical romance set during the American Civil War. Also I loved The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver about an American missionary family in the Belgian Congo during their fight for independence. It was a Oprah book club book as well. Both are quite lengthy, but I was enthralled, and couldn't wait to reach the end, so I knew what was going to happen.

Recommend Anita Shreve also. I read Fortune`s Rock on my way to Australia and missed all five movies! The Pilot`s Wife is excellent too. Ahab`s wife is by a different author, but is a great novel on whaling and Nantucket.

I didn't read through all the responses either but for books about places... <BR>In the Name of Salome by Julia Alvarez - Dominican Republic <BR>About a Boy by Nick Hornby - London <BR>White Teeth by Zadie Smith - London <BR>Le Divorce - Paris <BR>Enjoy!

Great thread! I agree about Elizabeth George, Mary Stewart, Margaret Attwood, Ian Pears, and many others. Peter Robinson has an excellent British detective series about Inspector Banks which I recently discovered. Also, Barry Maitland's The Marx Sisters and The Malcontenta were both good. Haven't seen any discussion on Jane Smiley or Mary Renault. Just finished Smiley's latest, Horse Heaven, an American Dickens-esque novel about Thoroughbreds, but you don't need to be a horse person to enjoy.

I have read many of the suggested books and can`t wait to read more. Another good one is The way of a Boy. It`s about a kid that grows up in Java in the 30s on a tea plantation and ends up being a Japanese POW. Easy reading but fascinating. Also, anything by Bill Bryson is a hoot. His last book In a sunburnt Country is about Australia. I read it and called Qantas and went!

This is a great thread but so hard to scroll through it

Anyone read the Starbridge series by Susan Howatch? Exciting and full of insight, and the characters stay with you. Try "Glittering Images," the first book.

BASILICA, by William D. Montalbano. <BR>Paperback, more than 350 pages, for murder-mystery fans. Set in Rome, the Vatican, St. Peter's, this book will hold your interest on any flight. <BR>

One of my all time favorite books is Distubances in the Field. Do not be put off by the title or the cover illustration of this book. It is rich and compelling reading. I have been racking my brain to remember the author. My copy is on loan - as it almost always is. Read this book, it will not disappoint you. <BR> <BR>linda

"Winter's Tale" -- I have to admit, I am about two thirds of the way through, and have been for a couple years! But It was gripping when I was reading it (I moved in the middle), and it's one of the few books about which I used to catch myself wonder what the characters were "up to these days..."

Want to second these recommendations: "Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris. <BR> <BR>Two of the funniest books ever written. <BR> <BR>

I highly recommend Paddy Clark's A STAR CALLED HENRY. This is the story a poor boy's fight as a foot soldier in the Irish Republic's war for independence. It is very insightful, showing the struggles of the poor and uneducated, and their manipulation by the power-hungry Irish Catholic elite.

The Snows of August by Pete Hamill -- about a young Irish Catholic boy and a middle aged Jewish rabbi that takes place in New York City in the 1940s. I never wanted the book to end.

ttt

Some books I have recently read and would recommend: <BR> <BR>16 Pleasures & Fall of the Sparrow - Hellenga <BR>Ladies Night at Finbar's Hotel - Various Irish writers (a great book to take with you to Dublin!) <BR>Blackberry Wine & Five Quarters of an Orange - Joanne Harris (of "Chocolate" fame) <BR>The Pleasing Hour - King <BR>The Last Life?) - Messud <BR> <BR>Regards ... Ger <BR> <BR> <BR>

I want to thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. My brother fairly recently lost his sight and last time I was there I ordered a dozen "books" from Books for the Blind based on your recommendations: Birdsong, Soldier of the Great War, Corelli's Mandolin, etc. Though he is an eclectic reader, it was good to have some sort of male-oriented suggestions (not Oprah). Every time he would ask me what the book was about prior to "reading" it, I had to say, I haven't read it (I'm waaay behind)--it's from my Fodor's list. He loved them all. <BR> <BR>A big second for Confederacy of Dunces and Margaret Atwood (anything). He likes John Le Carre and the Hornblower series.

For those traveling to Rome-- <BR> <BR>Angels & Demons-- I gave the book away and its now on its third reader. None of us could put it down. I can't remember the author, but it was I believe released this summer and should be easy to find. <BR> <BR>

Sue: <BR> <BR>I often get books on tapes to play in the car and your brother might like some of the following: <BR> <BR>- Mystery: anything by Ruth Rendall, Minette Walters <BR>- The Alienist (?) <BR>- Anything by Arturo Perez Reverte (Fencing Master, Seville communion, The Club Dumas, the Flander's Panel <BR>- Comedy: Anything by Murial Sparks <BR>- Travel: Peter Mayle's four(?) books on Provence and Francis ? books on Tuscany (Under the Tuscan sun) <BR> <BR>Regards ... Ger <BR>

ah ha, topper read my mind!<BR><BR>I thought this would be a good place to sprinkle a clue.. (you have to really be paying attention to know what I am talking about)<BR><BR>I rather liked "Mutiny on the Bounty"<BR><BR>Beth<BR><BR>

My favoites are:<BR><BR>Pillars of the Earth-Ken Follet-glad to see others love it too!<BR><BR>The Gold Coast-Nelson Demille, the mafia<BR>meets Muffy and Buffy on Long Island!<BR><BR>Youngblood Hawk-Herman Wouk-oldy but goodie-also Don"t Stop the Carnival!<BR><BR>Coming Home and Shellseekers-Pincher<BR>This is a wonderful thread!!!!

Sue<BR><BR>A very dear friend of mine had a very urgent operation last year on the discovery of a brain tumour, and this meant he couldnt read easily for a long time, the brace with the head staples and the headaches made it impossible.<BR><BR>We gave him the BBC Lord of the Rings tapes, which he loved. I wasn't sure he would like them, as he's a macho sporty type who doesnt read much, though he later said he was another who had read and loved the LofR books and yet not read any other such fantasy or sci fi.<BR><BR>He also really appreciated Eddie Izzard (comedian) on tape, and some regular Grisham type books on tape.<BR><BR>Kavey

PS<BR>That topper post has been deleted again.<BR>Spooky!<BR>Kavey

If you're into fantsy fiction ( Harry Potter - Fellowship of the Rings..) try Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spy Glass. Well written and not cloyingly(?) sweet like CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia (which I did enjoy when I a lot younger)<BR><BR>And - Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

anything by Bill Bryson is a hoot! His observations on people and life in America and on his various escapades are just perfect holiday reading!

Ender's Game.

Great thread. I too am going to print it out as a reference. Unfortunately I am not good with authors but I read a great book called THE DANISH GIRL about the (true) first transexual client. Not the thickest book in the world but you will truly be immediately drawn in to/by the development/transformation of the main character. Excellent book.

Ender's Game? Sorry Kay! I tried to read that years ago, and I love science fiction, but plowing through that monstrous, mean-spirtited thing was like being stretched on the rack. Use the library, friends; you can always return it after a few excruciating chapters!

Kristen - thanks for the rec - always looking for a new point of view - a new pair of shoes (preferably, sensible) to walk in.