Suggest a no-brainer, page-turner book
 

I, too, am leaving for a long transatlantic trip soon. I'm interested in hearing some of your recommendations as well, but I can provide a little more structure as to what I'm looking for in a "trip" book. I want it to be engrossing and an easy read. I don't particularly want it to "teach" me something or have any great moral point to make. I want rich, vibrant, well-written characters that drive the plot and I want something with a plot. I like historical fiction, mysteries, suspense, sci-fi, romance and humorous fiction. I don't care if it's a proper book or "juvenile" so long as I lose track of time and "fall" into the story.<BR><BR>Any thoughts?

Try "Kitchen Confidential" it has been out for a while. Really entertaining, if you are into food.

Since you don't mind if they're so-called "children's books," Harry Potter (any, but read the first if you haven't yet) fits the bill in every way.<BR><BR>For light, fun reading, any of Bill Bryson's books. My favorites are "Notes from a Small Island" and "I'm a Stranger Here Myself." But be warned, you might find yourself laughing out loud in the plane!<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

Any Richard North Patterson (suspense/mystery)--I have a hard time putting them down or Michael Connolly (The Poet in particular).

I was going to tell you all about Bill Bryson, until I saw Mel beat me to it! <BR><BR>But Bryson is my favorite "travel companion" since I like to vacation alone. However, I don't stay alone for long...people usually want to know what's making me continually shoot diet coke out of my nose from laughter.<BR><BR>My favorite Bryson book so far: In a Sunburned Country. I'm a Stranger Here Myself is good as well, but it's a collection of his articles on the US written over two years. I'd recommend reading one of his travelogues first, then reading Stranger, as you just appreciate his sense of humor more. Some of his other books include: A Walk in the Woods, Notes from a Small Island, and Neither Here Nor There.<BR><BR>Also, if you like the essay thing, "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris is hysterical as well.

another vote for Bryson- and I HAVE laughed out loud in the plane reading him!

Fiona, no kidding! The guy sitting next to me on a plane looked irritated as I made all kinds of strange snorting, choking, guffaw noises. I was trying not to laugh out loud, but it couldn't be helped.<BR><BR>He finally told me "I have never seen anyone laugh so much at a book before." I nodded helplessly. I soon noticed he was trying to read along with me.<BR><BR>There's no escaping Bryson.

For mysteries: any of Simenon's books about the detective Maigret; also any P.D. James mystery. These books are all entertaining, and relaxing to read while on vacation.<BR> <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

This is a no brainer:<BR><BR>Anything by:<BR><BR>1. Ridley Pearson<BR>2. Scott Turow<BR>3. Tom Clancy<BR>4. Robert Ludlam<BR>5. And if you wnat to think try CS Lewis<BR><BR>US

If you're heading for Scotland, read any of the Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin. Very well written, they illustrate Edinburgh beautifully - Rebus regularly drinks in a pub close to Edinburgh University halls of residence where I have occasionally enjoyed a pint or five in the past.<BR><BR>Harry Potter is total escapism and brilliant for passing the time travelling. I read it on my commute to work and nearly missed my stop several times.<BR><BR>Bill Bryson is good, but personally I find him a bit overrated. His best book (that I've read) is definately "Notes from a Small Island." His comment on the weather in the UK is spot on - something like a forecast for the day could read "sunny at first with wind and rain later."

Richard North Patterson <BR>Maeve Binchey - good long stories you don't want to end<BR>Sue Grafton - she's working her way through the alphabet *A* is for Alias etc.<BR>early John Grisham books<BR>Janet Evanovich books<BR>Patricia Cornwall

How about London by Edward Rutherfurd? Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I also think the Harry Potter series are great, along with Patricia Cornwell books about Kay Scarpetta. But depending on how quickly you read, you might have to be taking along several books which can be a pain if you're trying to pack light. London is a nice, long epic which is a page turner.

(No-brainer to me doesn't include rich, vibrant, well-written characters?) Anyway, I read Murder in the Marais by Cara Black on my way to Paris last week, and it was a good, topical read. A real page-turner I recently read was Line of Vision; can't remember author, but it's an easily found paperback. I stayed up way beyond what I'd intended to reading it on work nites here at home; hard to put down. David Sedaris' works, Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day are light and amusing.

Donna Leon: Signor Brunetti - any one you don't know

Certainly not great literature, but for "no brainer" and "page turner", John Grisham's "A Painted House" filled the bill. <BR><BR>I also liked "Me talk pretty one day"<BR><BR>Or...read the first 500 pages of a Tom Clancy before you leave. That's about the place where the background stuff leaves off and the "page-turner" begins.<BR><BR>

Another vote for Pottermania. The good part is that the first 3 books are out in paperback in N. America and the 4th in paperback in Europe, and each is just about one transatlantic flight long. If your travels pass through London you will not be able to resist inspecting carefully the platform signs at Kings Cross.

I enjoy Agatha Christie. The books are relatively short but they're page-turners from the get-go. Great mysteries with plenty of surprises.<BR><BR>

Diana Galbaldon Highlander/time travel series. Combines historical fiction/mystery/non standard romance. First books in series the best, Nice long, but not repetitive.<BR>Sharyn Newman has a series of Medieveal Mysteries and Sharon McCruym, Lia Matera Martha Grimes, Ruth Rendell, Nevada Barr, Sarah Paretsky, Lisa Scottoline, dana stabenow, Lisa See all interesting, well written mysteries.I also vote for the C.S. Lewis Narnia books. I have reread them every few years since childhood . Sci fi try David Drakes Lord of the Isles series, or Kate Elliot, Melanie Rawn, Terry Prachett Disc world series,

I couldn't put down Michael Chriton's (sic?) "Abduction"....It was a very engrossing book and had an interesting and thought provoking twist to it as well....Best wishes on your vacation....

Well! You learn something every day and sometimes in the oddest places. I have NEVER been able to read a Tom Clancy book and have NEVER been able to understand how other people could not only read them, but like them. I would try my damndedest and then collapse in utter failure on page 400, clueless as to how other people suffered the torture, the endless ennui, the droning minutiae, the mind numbing encrusting of dusty detail upon dry documentary. And now Danna says the secret is to begin at page 500. Bless you, Danna. Although that is not to say I can promise I will ever get foolish enough to try again.

Michael Crichton's Timeline - lots on Medieval France, archaeology, quantum physics. Great plot.

"The Charm School" by Nelson DeMille. Both engrossing and an easy read.

For mysteries try British writers Ruth Rendell and Margaret Yorke - both are excellent. (P.D. James puts me to sleep faster then a sleeping pill..boring!!) Maeve Binchley's books are quite delightful and have characters you can really care about, altho her last one was not as good as most of the others. She also has published several collections of short stories that are really good and easy reading for plane trips. Sue Grafton's mysteries are good (altho the last few have not been up to her earlier standards .. same goes for Grisham -- his last one, The Summons, must have been tossed together,it lacks all the punch and humor of his earlier books). Some of Jeffrey Deaver's works are good as well.

Anyone read any Ellis Peters books? They're medieval mysteries and sound really good.

Sci-fi, romance, suspense: Memoirs of an Invisible Man by H.F.Saint is a real page turner. Out of print but available used at Amazon or Alibris.<BR><BR>More fantasy than sci-fi but great plot and characters - you can really get lost in it: Mirror of Her Dreams (two-parter, second one is A Man Rides Through) by Stephen R Donaldson<BR><BR>Historical Fiction and mystery: Roman Blood by Steven Saylor - first in a series about a Roman private eye.<BR><BR>Also, Tony Hillerman mysteries - first one is The Blessing Way, if you like Navajo culture<BR><BR>Humorous - P.G. Wodehouse: Life with Jeeves contains three easy-read and humorous novels. Good Short stories by him are in Carry On, Jeeves<BR><BR>Don't know if you like classics, but they are classics because of their great plots and characters - so.... Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen; Wives and Daughters, ELizabeth Gaskell; Our Mutual Friend, Dickens<BR><BR>And I also vote with the Bill Bryson and David Sedaris fans.<BR><BR>The Ellis Peters Medieval mysteries are good too (but I do not think gripping).<BR><BR>Have a fun vacation!<BR>Marita

I forgot--I've taken two Pat Conroy books with me to Europe and they kept me turning the pages: Lords of Discipline and Beach Music (good Rome scenes). One reason I can't read Tom Clancy is that he writes so poorly.

Holidays in Hell, by P.J. O'Rourke.

If you're a foodie, try Ruth Reichl's memoirs, Tender at the Bone and Comfort Me with Apples. They don't demand a great deal of brain power, but they're quite engaging.

And Peter Mayle's books, such as "A Year in Provence."

If you want medieval to prepare you for the history of Europe try these books by Sharon Kay Penman:<BR><BR>The Sun in Splendor<BR>There Be Dragons<BR>When Christ and all His Angels Slept<BR><BR>They deal primarily with England and France. They are historical fiction and they are outstanding for their history and description of the medieval times. She also writes an excellent historical story with well developed characters and accompanying language.<BR><BR>US

Holidays in Hell, by P.J. O'Rourke.

"No-brainer, page-turner" - I really like Anne Rice for this. The Witching Hour was cool. Her Vampire Chronicles take place partly in Europe. She describes the characters in rich detail and there's plenty of plot, and you definitely don't have to think about it. I also really enjoyed Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" and "Foucault's Pendulum." Once I read the first chapter, I couldn't put them down!

<BR>I too am voting with the Harry Potter books (great escapism and with that sardonic British humour !). However, since the original poster also mentioned an interest in historical happenings, I must recommend Ken Follett's " The Pillars of the Earth ". It's set in the 12th century and only skirts around real historical events but has a huge cast of characters whom you can't help loving or despising. It's about a simple man's ambition to build a cathedral and the myriad of people that come into and out of his life and the lives of his family. Really interesting research on Follett's part (without being too detailed). I couldn't put it down when I read it 10 years ago and still think of it now.<BR><BR>And thanks to all of you, I can't wait to buy my first Bill Bryson book. I have an affinity for laughing out loud in public.

Hi<BR><BR>James Clavell books fit your need.<BR><BR>350 pages of intro out of 1000+, though.<BR><BR>History, plots, characters.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Mathew,<BR><BR>Thank you so much for reminding me of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth"<BR><BR>I love that book...I read it again about every five years!<BR><BR>It is awesome!<BR><BR>US

I enjoyed these diverse books on planes:<BR>Video Night in Katmandu (or anything by Pico Iyer including The Lady and the Monk): Extra Virgin by Annie Hawes: the various Monsieur Pamplemousse adventures by Michael Bond.

Michael Slade's "Headhunter". Not a proper book.

For mysteries anything by Ruth Rendell (or better yet her more psychological suspense writings under the name Barbara Vine i.e., House of Stairs).<BR><BR>Humor - Gone for Good or Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress or Striptease, Lucky Number, by Carl Haiseen.<BR><BR>Anne Rice, Interview with a Vampire.<BR><BR>In Potter's Field, P. Cornwall.<BR><BR>Another vote for Edward Rutherfurd, London, The Forest, for historical fiction.<BR><BR>Harry Potter for sheer immersion factor, without being heavy reading.

Another vote for stuff by Carl Hiassen. His earlier works (most still available in paperback) are best. Crazy south Floridians often with an animal subplot. I've wintered in Ft. Lauderdale and he's right. The evening news almost always has some crazy animal story--and the humans are just as nuts. Love it. Like Bill Bryson it will have you laughing outloud. <BR><BR>Also if you like really bad writing, and I mean bad, the Pat Booth stuff like West Palm Beach or some such is quite amusing. One of my all time favorites was "The Crazy Ladies". Don't know if she wrote it or just someone with similar "talent" but that was an interesting, salacious read.

Green Eggs and Ham. Dr. Suess' character development leaves a little to be desired, but this story is filled with suspense and has a delectable surprise ending.