Books for 18 yr old
 

After doing a search, I have read through and copied Dog Mothers compilation of books recommended on a thread that ranged from 2003-2006!
However, I still must ask for books that are appropriate for our granddaughter to read prior to taking her to Italy in May. This trip is our gift to her for high school graduation and I'd like to have her do some reading ahead of the trip that includes Rome, Assisi, Pisa, Florence, Venice, and Capri. However, The books need to be fairly"light" or entertaining because she has enough "heavy" reading in her school assignments.

Also, I need the material to be appropriate-I am not wanting to give her any books with "x-rated" material. Not that I'm a prude, but after all I am her grandmother!!!!

Help would be much appreciated...

Are you asking solely for fiction titles?

'Enchanted April". I know it's a book, but I've only seen the movie. It's probably available on video. What a charming story, and definitely romantic and PG-rated.

Looking at Dog Mother's list, I can't even begin to imagine why anyone would worry about giving any of them to a grandchild.

Missing from the list, though, is Jan Morris' Venice.

For very light reading:
Undermentioned is Lindsey Davis' series of Roman detective novels (www.lindseydavis.co.uk), which are a great insight into Rome in the 70s AD.

There's a full list of Steven Saylor's novels (www.stevensaylor.com), which are good about the dying days of the Roman Republic.

And the list misses Robert Harris' Pompeii novel(set just as the volcano's going up) and Imperium, which covers a similar period to Saylor's stuff.

Blimey, can't you just take her on a trip without giving her homework about it?

Hello carol, what a beautiful graduation present, something you all will always remember with great joy I am sure.

One thing I did want to mention, in case this is your first grandchild to graduate from high school. At least in California seniors are so busy from the time they return to school after the holidays through their graduation they do not have a lot of spare time. I understand your thinking but wanted to mention this in case you had not thought of it.

There are so many scheduled senior activities along with their day to day normal studies, sports, activities etc and of course if she is going to go off to a university or college it seems like that takes into their time also. There is also the social life which is so normal at that age.

So I just wanted to mention this in case your dear granddaughter does not have the time to read as many books as you would prefer. And if she doesn't no doubt she will in the future as I am sure her time in Italy will truly peak her interest about Italy. It certainly did when we took our daughter to Italy. Best regards.

What a fabulous gift you are making - a trip to Italy. Lucky girl!

Now I have no idea what form the trip takes - staying with family/friends, a tour of some sort, backpacking independently? But have you thought about a guide book? What's that series that has lots of gorgeous pix but also highlights and explains the sights? Eyewitness Guides, I think. Something to add to the experience while she is there are to keep afterwards. Or the Rough Guide? Brilliant for people needing to catch buses and find their own accommodation but also good on background, history, culture, etc.

Failing that - a really good map - get it laminated for her. If she turns out to be a travel junkie it will have pride of place in her collection years from now.

For Venice
Donna Leon's series of Brunetti detective stories.
Miss Garnet's Angel by Salley Vickers.

Tim Parks' books about being British amongst the Italians. 'Italian Neigbours' and 'An Italian Education' BOth light, funny and give great insight into REAL Italian life.

I'm with fuzzylogic. Give her the Eyewitness Guide for Christmas. Encourage her to read it so you two can discuss what interests both of you.

Some of us, even in high school, did plenty of extra reading, heavy or light, in addition to school assignments!

I agree that Eyewitness guides are great as an introduction. Any picture books that you can find would be delightful as well; sometimes they're on sale at places like Barnes & Noble.

I like the Travelers' Tales Guides series. They are collections of essays on various topics; family travel, Tuscany, etc. She could read them as she has time, and skip anything she found boring.

The Tim Parks books are great fun too!

I have a few fiction recommendations. They are all considered young adult lit, all are appropriate.

Getting the Boot (Students Across the Seven Seas series): High school girl does a semester in Italy; culture and landmarks are talked about, but it's about the girl growing up while she's there; good message, fun, light-hearted book.

Three Days, by Donna Jo Napoli: Young girl gets kidnapped outside of Rome after her dad passes out at the wheel. Lots of Italian countryside, customs.

I love A Room with a View, by EM Forster. Begins and ends in Florence; English countryside in between.

The Second Mrs. Gioconda, by E.L. Konigsburg. Historical fiction about Leonardo DaVinci's painting of the Mona Lisa. Short read.

If I think of more, I'll put post again. I agree that she may not have a lot of time, but if she's already a reader, she'll probably welcome your suggestions/gifts.

If you go to Barnesandnoble.com you can browse by Fiction, Western Europe, Italy and you will get pages and pages of books to choose from. Read the reviews yourself and decide what is appropriate. Lots of great books!
A very thoughtful gift, lucky girl!

Thanks VERY much to everyone for all the thoughtful replies and suggested books, especially the reminder that Seniors are busy and the comment about "homework".
However, our granddaughter is an avid "recreational" reader. Traditionally we have given her several books each Christmas since she was born!
The Pompeii novel and the Tim Saylors books will be ones we will want to read as well, so I'll look for those.
The Eyewitness Guide, Travelers' Tales Guides and a Laminated map will be great and the Young Adult suggestions from SaraAllison are appreciated also.

Thank you everyone for the quick replies, especially appreciated during this BUSY time of the year!
You have made my book shopping list a lot easier!