Sue@xx, rent the original french film Of the talented mr.Ripley starring Alain Delon. It was called 'Purple Noon&quot;<BR>when shown here. Judith,if you can find thornton Wilder's books, the whole series of Topper and the ghosts, George and Marian and their martini drinking dog.

Hi Mimi,<BR><BR>The film was called &quot;Full Sun&quot; when shown on Aussie TV about 4 years ago (just in case anyone is looking out for it outside the USA).

try &quot;the spanish lover&quot; fantastic read....cannot remember the name of the author. still in print.

Dennis LeHane! He writes a real mystery/suspense-full of twists and surprises.

Me Talk Pretty one day by David Sedaris, but you will be laughing out loud! Another great read is The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx, it is kinda deep though

hi,

topping this one, but I still think there is another one!

Good thread! I don't read &quot;no brainer&quot; books because I would rather listen to music, If you're looking for something with substance, keen insight, and a smart and sassy writing style, there's much NYC buzz behind Betsy Prioleau's &quot;Seductress.&quot; This book has my name written all over it and I couldn't put it down.

I just finished reading River God by Wilbur Smith for the second time. My sister and sister-in-law want to re-read it also (it's been a couple of years since read the first time). This time I did a google search to find out about the sequel to this book and was astonished to find how many books this guy has written. I can't wait to find more of them. Great read - with a little historical fiction thrown in.

Also would not hesitate to take (most have been mentioned already)
Mauve Binchy
Ridley Pearson
Scott Turow
Richard North Patterson
Clive Cussler (Dirk Pitt books)
Rosemund Pilcher

&quot;Italian Affair&quot; by Laura Fraser which I gave my boyfriend to read in Santorini. He loved it as much as I did and claims to want to read it again. I read Bill Bryson's 'Down Under' in Cuba and had tears running down my face whilst laughing a silent laugh...

For &quot;easy reads&quot;, I loved The Thin Pink Line by Lauren Baratz-Logsted about a woman who thinks she is pregnant, tells everyone, finds out she isn't, and still lets everyone think she is. Not exactly mentally stimulating, but fun. Also: Jemima J by Jane Green or Angels by Marian Keyes

Whoops: I forgot the no-brainer to end all no-brainers: Love Story and its sequel Oliver's Story. And, just for kicks, Rosemary's Baby!

AllyPally - If you thought Bryson's Down Under was funny, you should read his books about England - especially if you've been there. Friends in the UK lent me one and I read it on the way back to the States from after spending a couple of weeks in England. I was laughing hysterically and everyone on the plane thought I was insane.

Just read &quot;The Devil Wears Prada&quot; and &quot;The Nanny Diaries&quot; during the hurricane by candlelight. Needed something light and not scary!

Any new additions to this list?

I bring my small paperback 1960's of Ian Fleming's James Bond series...each are small and will fit in a small bag and you can finish them in one trip. Since you can find them at used bookstores, unless you collect like me, you can even leave them where you travel and bring several with you.

Best page-turner ever penned: Ken Follett's The Eye of the Needle. The only book I really couldn't put down. I loaned my copy to my sister-in-law while on a trip and then was forced to buy another copy in Vienna (at an exorbitant price!) because I couldn't wait for her to finish (and I'd already read it four times).

I just finished Tracy Chevalier's &quot;Lady and the Unicorn.&quot; Another great book by Chevalier. It was my second favorite of her's...Falling Angels is my fav.

Another endorsement for Nelson DeMille - particularly By the Rivers of Babylon, The Charm School, Cathedral and Word of Honor. Also I'll second Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth.

How about Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown?

Heading for Venice--
Must read &quot;1,000 Days in Venice&quot; by Marlena de Blasi(?)
It's got food, romance, Venice and nice writing.
j

For you Harry Potter fans out there -
The US versions are slightly different from the UK versions. If you have dogeared one version, pick up the alternate one and see if you can find the subtle changes of language.

Long flight? Here's another vote for Ken Follett's &quot;Pillars of the Earth&quot;