I will be traveling to Europe in 2 weeks. I have been unsuccessful in upgrading my ticket to a more comfortable seat so I would love any recommendations of a great book or two that would keep me spellbound during my flight. I love to read and like all types of books - I would prefer a paperback. Please help keep me occupied. Thanks

Jean, just topped one of my favorite threads for you. See "a really fabulous fiction book".

Jean,<BR><BR>Do a search under "Suggest small book" for some great suggestions.<BR><BR>Gerry K

I read all 1457 pages of Vikram Seth's "A Suitable Boy" whilst on holiday. It was stunning

I read a paperback by John Case on the roundtrip to Italy. The title is "The Genesis Code". I found it to be one that you can't wait to read the next chapter. Good reading.

I'd second "A Suitable Boy" - my copy is now very well-worn after taking it to Greece a couple of years ago. (It also got me some impressed glances at the size of my book! Other books I've taken as holiday reads have been: "The Famished Road" by Ben Okri, "Long Walk to Freedom" Nelson Mandela's autobiography,"White Teeth" by Zadie Smith and AS Byatt's "Possession". My purchases for this year's trip are "Atonement" by Ian McEwan, and Stella Rimmington's authobiography (she was the first female head of MI5, and a former graduate of my University, so thought it sounded interesting!) These are all maybe more 'British', though, but maybe worth taking a look at on Amazon, to see if they look your sort of thing!

jean: If you are going to England or interested in English History, try "The Children of Henry the VIII" by Alison Weir. It is based on actual documents and letters the times. The intrigue, relationships, emotions are just fascinating. Read it on our trip to Belgium in May and could not put it down. My wife kept saying "let's go" and I kept answering "just let me finish the page". It is available in paperback. Have a great trip.

Two that I've had out on loan to various friends most of this summer are The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold) and Bel Canto (Ann Patchett). I read the first in two sittings, it was fabulous. The second took a bit longer, but I couldn't put it down either. I only wish I'd saved them for my next long flights!

"A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry - I couldn't put it down - highly recommended.

Another vote for "Possession." What a page-turner! I could not put that book down!

Try Seabiscuit. Was terrific and nice and long.

What a great list! Just the sort of information I was hoping for. I'm off to the bookstore and then on to southern France. Thanks so much - jean

Off to Southern France; might I suggest a copy of Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast". A light read that gives one an appreciation of Hemingway's skill, entertains, has no plot so you can follow in airline disjointed readings and has the added benefit of making you appreciate the addiction of European lfe. Enjoy.

What about GONE WITH THE WIND? It's still a great read even if it's not politically correct.<BR>Try THE ASPERN PAPERS by Henry James- very, very, very similar to Byatt's Possession, yet I don't remember her crediting James when she won the Booker!

Nicholas Shakespeare's extensive biography of Bruce Chatwin is a fantastic book to bring on a trip. The hardbound copy is a big large, but worth it. Interesting and fascinating man, Chatwin, and he's been given a beautifully written bio by Shakespeare. A must read.

Whereas not &quot;great literature&quot;, David Ellis' courtroom thriller, Line of Vision, is a super airplane book. It's a real page turner; I couldn't put it down. Available in paperback.

Hi Jean<BR> Try Mark Twain's &quot;Innocents Abroad&quot;.

Where is that thread when you need it?, the one titled &quot;A really fabulous fiction book&quot;.

With a looong winter here in NY, I have catch up with some reading. Highly recommend &quot;The Lovely Bones&quot;, &quot;The Nanny Diaries&quot;, &quot;Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood&quot;, &quot;The Hours&quot;, &quot;Atonement&quot;. A favorite of mine, which is also a strong rec is &quot;The Pillars of the Earth&quot;. I read it about 11 years ago, and remains one of my favorite books. Then again &quot;A Hundred Years of Solitude&quot; is magical in many ways, including spellbinding..

I would add &quot;The Secret Life of Bees&quot; to my favorites this year: &quot;The Lovely Bones,&quot; and &quot;Bel Canto.&quot;

I've become a big fan of audio books, and they're particularly good on a plane, because they shut out all the background noise. I subscribe to a service where you can download mp3 files onto a tiny player, which holds 17 hours of content (and can be expanded). The unabridged books are the best value and the most enjoyable. On my last trip I listened to a beautifully read version of Pride and Prejudice, and I got more out of it than on the occasions when I have read it.