Not a travel question, but I need it for my travels. I want a good book for my trip to London/France. It does have to be related to my trip, but it coulde be. I just finished The Kite Runner (WOW), The Other Boleyn Girl (so fun) Middlesex (Didn't like) and Queen Of Dreams (almost as good as her other books). What are YOU reading?????Laura

Hello, Laura, I am reading this website, starting with Zurich. Then Interlaken and Zermatt. By the time I finish with Fodor's and the Internet I'll have to pack. Cheese and chocolates, here I come!

But I can't take it with me :'(. I do spend more time reading here than any place else.

I'm reading the 3rd volume of a biography about Graham Greene, but they are three very thick volumes--not suitable for travelling light.

But you might try something by Greene, one of the best 20th century British writers.

Yes, you can. It's called "Laptop" >

I'm reading Frommer's Bermuda (surprising my husband next week for his 40th). I think I'll get The Kite Runner for the plane since several people have recommended it.

How about A Tale of Two Cities? If you haven't already seen Meredith's great thread, it will give you lots of great ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...hText=Meredith

Besides Paris guide books, a Georges Simenon mystery, Maigret in Montmartre. I found these wonderful photos online, where someone had searched out all the places in the book:

http://www.trussel.com/maig/steps4.htm

Sandy

FainaAgain,
Have you seen the following website where you can download books?

http://www.gutenberg.org/

You probably knew, but I didn't, that you can also download books onto a PDA. I couldn't believe how many books my son put on his... it's so small.

Sandy

Hi panucci/Laura, I am halfway through a book that you might enjoy since you are going to France.

It is "Life in a Postcard" by Rosemary Bailey.

It written by an Englishwoman from London who purchased an old monastary in the French Pyrenees.

I have found it to be quite an interesting book with a lot of historical references to the area of Catalan.

Enjoy preparing for your trip.

I'm reading..scanning..Paris in a Basket and A Goose in Toulouse!

Just finished another H V Morton ..In Search ofScotland Again..If you've never seen or heard of H V MOrton..look for him! The most wonderful . literate , exciting travel books..even tough they ar 50 or more years old!

I'm reading 'The Agony and the Ecstasy', which is a biography of Michelango - but really interesting. It will take me forever to read, really small print that I can't see on my treadmill which is where I get most of my reading done! I just finished 'Sea Glass' and 'All He Ever Wanted' by Anita Shreve. Liked them both. Light reads.

I loved the Kite Runner as well. I'm reading The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver, and enjoying it very much. I recently saw "A Girl Named Zippy" at Costco, and I loved that book as well.

Mostly guidebooks and this forum - since I'm obsessed with my upcoming May trip to France. I've been ashamed of myself, so got out an ancient copy of "Atlas Shrugged" to reread, as I remember loving that book back in my olden days. I can't get anywhere with it, as the guidebooks keep calling. However, one of those guidebooks is really great - "Three Rivers of France" - by Freida White, updated by Michael Busselle. This book is highly recommended if you're contemplating a trip to the Dordogne. It's out of print, but I got at the library. I wanted my own copy, so searched on the web, and finally found a used copy - but expensive!

I'm going to Sevilla in about a week for Semana Santa - have been reading Michener's "Iberia". Just finished the chapter on Sevilla - wow. It really whetted my anticipation - and gave me some good tips.

Great suggestions. In the morning I'm printing this and the other thread MVOR mentioned and taking them to Barnes and Noble. Has anyone read Year of Wonder? It was recommended by one of my students.
Sue4 and Carta_Pisana enjoy your travels!
Thanks again, Laura

Anything by Nick Hornsby will get you in the mood for London. Or try Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson for another taste of England. Peter Mayle for France.

Year of Wonder was good, but got a little too far fetched at the end I thought.

I just got done with The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron, a prep for Barcelona in 38 days!

Just finished The Bookseller of Kabul and am about to start Choices in Vichy France. I'm also periodically drooling over the photos in France From the Air.

One of the best I've read is Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth." Takes place in medieval England with some France thrown in. Excellent read.

Meant to say try anything by Peter Mayle for France, that wasn't to clear. I recommend A Very Good Year if you are a wine lover.

On the night-stand lies "Free World: America, Europe, and the Surprising Future of the West" by Timothy Garton Ash. I'm absolutely loving it. Mr. Ash is not only a brilliant mind, he's a great writer.

Near the love-seat is "Marcella Says... : Italian Cooking Wisdom from the Legendary Teacher's Master Classes, with 120 of Her Irresistible New Recipes" by Marcella Hazan and Victor Hazan. I have personal history with Marcella and this book makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It also makes me hungry.