Philip:<BR><BR>84 Charing Cross Road is a great book, but I have read it during 3 20 minutes subway rides in Milano, it is not enough for such a long flight!

The Old Man and the Sea(Hemingway)<BR><BR>Dr D

What can you tell me about "La Cucina" by Lily Prior? Is it one of those books about restoring a house,villa,hotel, or is it a novel w/a plot? Thanks.

jw,<BR><BR>You might want to try asking your question at Amazon.com. Simply select "Books" and type in the title.<BR><BR>You'll get descriptions and often reviews.<BR><BR>GK

More please

How about Spartacus by Lewis Grassic Gibbon?<BR>Really brings the slave revolt to life and makes you appreciate the terrible and arbitrary lives that most lived in antiquity.<BR>Page turner too... a good read for a flight I'd suggest.<BR><BR>Apollo

I read Bridget Jones' Diary on the plane to London since it's set in London. It's very funny and engaging, and kept me sane on a sleepless transatlantic flight.

JW, Gerry's advice that you look at Amazon is a good one. It is NOT a fix it up book! It's definately a novel, set in Sicily, and reminds me kind of of Like Water for Chocolate. Very lusty and has some magical elements. <BR><BR>If you're looking for a fix it up book I recommend "Extra Virgin" and "Driving Over Oranges"; the first in Liguria and the second in Spain. Both are more earth than "Under the Tuscan Sun".<BR><BR>When does school start? Do you get to read much during the semesters?

Darkness Visible <BR><BR>William Styron<BR><BR>(I'd love to hear some more suggestions, too)<BR><BR>V

Yes. More. PLease.<BR><BR>Mr B B

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this one, but any of the Harry Potter's would be a quick read and a nice prelude to London. Also, any of the Anne Perry series.<BR>Finally, I just finished the Hours by Michael Cunningham. I was a wonderful novel and a quick read, but depressing.

Thanks to all for the help.<BR><BR>Philip, 84, Charing Cross Road was a wonderful idea. The problem is, I couldn't put it down after getting it. It's a book I'd HIGHLY recommend for an excellent flight-to-England read.<BR><BR>Other ideas, anyone?<BR><BR>Gerry K

Grasshopper:<BR><BR>If you want to read more set in Sicily, but with a less "exostic" feel, try Andrea Camilleri's books. Camilleri is one of the top Italian crime novelists, but he also writes historical novels. Two of his novels have been translated in English, although I do not know about the results: Camilleri wtires a peculiar kind of Italian and I am not sure how it can be translated.<BR><BR>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...459720-1798561

Might also have to check out that book "La Cucina." Grasshopper: you say it is like "Like Water For Chocolate?" Loved that book, and definitely loved the magic realism elements. Does La Cucina also use magic realism elements (you said it was kind of magical)? We are doing a food spotlight for our August The Long Trip Home Spotlight ( http://www.thelongtriphome.com ), and I always do a suggested reading section. I might have to include La Cucina on the list, if it fits.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Thank you Alice. I will definately take a look at those.<BR><BR>Jackie, yes, La Cucina has that magical realism style in places in the sense of a Like Water for Chocolate or a Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Isabel Allende book. But it is also very lusty. Lots of food/love/passion analogies. There are some fun characters. My favorite are the siamese twin brothers.

I will second dmr's suggestion of David Sedaris' book, and add another..."Me Talk Pretty One Day". The second half of the book, which recounts his efforts to learn French while in France, had me laughing out loud on the flight.

And I will second Vita on Harry Potter - just perfect for a trip to London. After all, your plane might arrive at Gate 9 3/4.

Adios Muchachos by Daniel Chavarria (short extremely entertaining story about the adventures of a bicycle hooker in Havanna)!!<BR>

Regarding Fear of Flying, Fan.<BR><BR>Decades ago, my new wife was accompanying me to Bermuda, where we'd be living for a year. She had never before flown, and on the plane she pulled out three books from her carry-on: Jaws, Fear of Flying, and the Bermuda Triangle. <BR><BR>Vagabond

PS: We survived neither Bermuda nor the marriage.<BR><BR>Vagabond<BR><BR>(More small book ideas would be welcomed.)