arjay

How great! I remember originally reading this earlier in the year, but there've been so many added since then. <BR> <BR>Here's a whole-hearted recommendation I was surprised to see hadn't been mentioned: <BR> <BR>Losing Julia (Jonathan Hull - I think. An amazon check should verify; i am sure about the title). This is fairly recent I think and I found it almost a masterpiece. Very affecting tale that encompasses WWI trench warfare in France, and a love story worthy of Bergman/Bogart - all told from the later-day perspective of an 80+ y.o. (former soldier) in a nursing home. The author captures the elder perspective of love and loss and irrepresible zest despite a few wrinkles, and also the horror of WWI (another plug here for the WWI trench exhibit at the Imperial War Museum in London). I found it a great read (tho maybe just a touch saccharine in the last two pages). Now, I want to check into the other WWI books mentioned here, as well as re-read Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front - been a long time since I stuck my nose in that one. <BR> <BR>Someone mentioned Paul Theroux and another good travel read (tho wrong continent) is his "Great Railway Bazaar," also the one he wrote about walking around England. (I've been awake since 330a - and prowling Fodors since 5 - so forgive the brain drain.) <BR> <BR>A gripping "listen" (and possibly better than reading it) is the audioversion of "The Killer Angels," by Michael Shaara, a Pulitzer Prize winner detailing the Battle of Gettysburg, told from the standpoint of Lee and several other generals. It too was gripping; I wept at the end and it's not like I didn't know how it was going to turn out.... <BR> <BR>Also, for those who want 'lighter' fare for travelling, anything by Dick Francis is a guaranteed page-turner and always well-written. (And most of Francis' are UK-set). Ditto Robert Parker (but US settings). <BR> <BR>A final note - Sheila (UK): how could you??? Your posts are always wonderful and so helpful, but The Pilots Wife for a plane trip???? Given that plot device...I don't think so.

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toi

Oh my goodness- I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this thread, especially since I am a book editor. Good to see that people are actually enjoying books still and aren't as harried and time-deficient as we like to think in the book business! If I can add my two cents on some good books, I would have to agree with those that mentioned Wally Lamb's SHE'S COME UNDONE, Arundhati Roy's THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS, Arthur Golden's MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, Barbara Kingsolver's POISONWOOD BIBLE. I'd like to add Danzy Senna's CAUCASIA, Paulo Coelho's THE ALCHEMIST, and for fun, Diane Johnson's LE DIVORCE, David Sedaris' ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY (hilarious!), and Gregory Maguire's CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER (which offers a different take on Cinderella!). I'm also finishing up MARIE ANTOINETTE (I don't remember the author) and could go on with all of the books I have on my shelves that I bought but have yet to read, but I'll stop here. <BR> <BR>Happy reading to all!!

MED

I know gina has already bought her books but I had to give a couple recs. anyway. Margaret George rights fabulous historical fiction. My favorite is Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles. Its extremely well researched. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end because it was so good and I really didn't want Mary to be beheaded. <BR>Edward Rutherford's Sarum is terrific also. Its about Salisbury. Very engrossing. The two books I've mentioned so far are very lengthy. Bill Bryson's neither here nor there is about his trek through Europe. Its not a very long book but its so funny and there are many stories I'm sure fellow travelers will easily relate to. I laughed out a few times reading this one. Another very funny book is Richard Russo's Straight Man. This is the funniest book I think I've ever read. <BR>I'd like to take this oportunity to remind everyone that local independent bookstores are being clobbered by the big chains and I hope that if you have a little mom and pop store in your area you will support it rather than go to a mega-store or order from an on-line corporate giant. In this day and age small businesses are becoming an endangered species.

sam ludu

By this time, after reading this thread, you’ve probably amassed a new library. Anyway, I second Mark Helprin’s A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR as well as Sebastian Faulks’ BIRDSONG and CHARLOTTE GRAY. Also highly(!) recommend Michael Cunningham’s THE HOURS (especially for Woolf fans). I enjoy Graham Greene — THE END OF THE AFFAIR ( a quite decent movie too came out recently) is a fine choice. You might check out Shirley Hazzard’s memoir on Greene — GREENE IN CAPRI, which has interesting commentary on the environs as well as the author. A really fun read is Nick Hornby’s HIGH FIDELITY. Anyway, good reading!

edie

ok here are the books that i've read, and loved,and are jealous of all you who haven't yet read! all rea great for long plane rides...some have been mentioned. <BR>Poisonwood Bible ( and when you've read this, get "things fall apart" by Chinua achebe) <BR>Pillars of the Earth <BR>both of the Ya-Ya sisterhood books <BR>Beach Music <BR>I know this much is true <BR>any of John Irvings books <BR>Crossing to Safety by Stegner <BR> <BR>and the best, not yet mentioned... <BR>The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. <BR>you will grieve when this is finished. it's a historical/fictionalized story of Dina, who was the only daughter of Jacob in the bible. tells the story of her and her mothers (jacobs four wives) <BR>absolutely unbelievable.

Beth Anderson

wow, has this thing ever GROWN. <BR> <BR>OK, I'll add a few more in. <BR> <BR>I just got back from London. I went on some London Walks, walks. (excellent). <BR> <BR>On the Greenwich walk (which includes a Thames river "cruise") the guide mentioned two books: Dickens "Our Mutual Friend" and a new book out called "Longitude" by Dava Sobel. <BR> <BR>We passed by a beautiful inn/restaurant which was a location in Dickens' book, and I understand (although haven't started it yet) that the book has a strong tie-in with the Thames and various underworld deeds near Greenwich. <BR> <BR>"Longitude" of course has the Greenwich tie-in... the Royal Observatory was fascinating and I think that if you plan to visit Greenwich check out this book first (plus it is rather short, maybe 100 or so pages). <BR> <BR>there you have it!

Alma

Maybe it's me, but when I go on vacation, I like to read lite historic romances. Anything by Nora Roberts-Irish Hearts, The McGregor Brides (and the whole 5 or 6 books about the McGregors). She does triligys that take place in Ireland, England & Scotland in days of yore and back up to 1999. All her books are enjoyable without being corny and she is a very good writer. If you want a heavy reading book, try Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged & The Fountainhead. <BR>Most anything from Leon Uris is good. Angela's Ashes was a good book also, as was Tis. A good romantic novel will let you forget the plane. Remember Erica Jongg's THE FEAR OF FLYING!

jennifer

DON'T GO PAST RIVER GOD BY WILBUR SMITH. It's an awesome book. I've bought about 6 copies, because everytime I lend it to someone, I never get it back!! A true story of the life of an Ancient Egyptian Queen written by her slave. These scrolls were found in her tomb, translated to literal English, then given to Smith to make a book with. It's awesome! Don't go past it.

tina

One more suggestion: <BR>Les Miserables - Victor Hugo. It's fat, fiction, and a classic to boot! It's very readable for a classic...though ol' Victor gets sidetracked alot You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll go "ugh, get on with it!" hehe

Alana

What a long and wonderful post - I confess I didn't have time to read it all and hope this isn't a repeat. "Niccolo Rising" by Dorothy Dunnett is a very interesting historical novel, set mostly in Bruges and Florence circa 1450. Many real names from history interspersed with fictional characters working up all kinds of deals with Merchants and bankers, not to mention some romantic deals to add to the pot. There are maybe 7 in the series, but after the second one my interest dwindled. Niccolo is definitely worth a read across the pond.

Nancy

Boy, this is one of the posts I will have to keep reading -- lots of great books already listed. Here's mine to add - The Memoirs of Cleopatra!

H

Another one for Mark.

SharonM

again? <BR> <BR>(I promised someone a copy of this list!) Thanks! <BR> <BR> <BR>sam

lorraine

I loved Clan of the Cave Bear trilogy by Jean Auel. The first book was particulary excellent. Also River God by Wilbur Smith was great. Sorry it ended. (Tho i found his other books a bit disappointing).

mark

The Orchid Thief - a very humorous account about a man poaching wild orchids in Naples, FL, the people involved with orchids (a strange lot - very quirky) and what the author learned about herself. Very enjoyable without being heavy. <BR> <BR>Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez - a magical, wonderfully written story about love. Lots of humor and moments of saddness & melancholy - but that's life. <BR> <BR>Under the Tuscan Sun - it's at time a bit too Martha Stewarty at times, but a great book about traveling, creating a home abroad and the love of food.

jenny

Isabel Allende's House of Spirits (fiction) is great, esp if you're heading to Chile. <BR>Julian May's sci fi series is compulsive reading too, like Harry Potter.

James Wyatt

Forget the holiday - with all these recommendations you'll need the time at home to read them all!

patti

Nobody has mentioned "The Left Behind" series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. <BR>Even if you just read the first one-it is fabulous-a real page turner. It is about what could happen at the end of the world-as we know it. It really makes you think as well. <BR>Patti

Susan

This is great! I've jotted down a long list of books I need to go buy. I agree with the recommendations for all four of Diana Gabaldon's books (I love stories about time travel). Anything by Rosamunde Pilcher is great, my favorites being "September," "Winter Solstice" (her newest) and "Coming Home," which I just took on a trip to Mexico. Olivia Goldsmith is also good. Robert Ludlum's older series of "The Bourne Identity," "The Bourne Supremacy" and "The Bourne Ultimatum" is great.