I am off to the bookstore with my threads and highlighter. Thanks everyone.

I'm reading "Murder in a Strange Country", one of a series of mysteries that takes place in Venice, by Donna Leon. The mysteries are good but better is the evocative description of Venice. Read one or two if you are planning to visit Venice.

"Almost French"

I've just finished reading all of
the Donna Leon Venice-based mysteries
indispersed with all of the Iain Pears
Rome-based mysteries. Hope these authors finish new books pronto!

Just read Shirley Hazzard's 'The Great
Fire' about the end of WW2 in the Far
East. A very beautifully written book.

Attempting to read "Stalingrad en Normandie" by Eddy Florentin, and "La Maison de Claudine" by Colette. More to the point, I second Patrick in London's suggestion of "Le Flaneur," which is still in print. Otherwise, the three best books about Paris, or set in Paris, of more recent years, are "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank" by T.E. Carhart, "Perfume" by Patrick Suskind, and "The Book of Salt" by Monique Truong.

Wait, Panucci - you've got to go back to the bookstore! I'm about halfway through "Without Reservations" by Alice Steinbach (a Pulitzer Prize winning Baltimore newspaper columnist). It's a well-written chronicle of her solo European journey a few years ago, starting out in France, then London, Oxford and Venice. A quick read and very, very enjoyable. Easy to pack too.

Nothing! I'm waiting for Amazon to ship my books. 4-5 weeks. I'm dying! Might start reading soup cans soon.

Body and Soul by Frank Conroy - the story of a musical prodigy and his influences; and Bel Canto by Anne Patchett - the story of an opera singer and others held hostage by revolutionaries. Both convey the beauty and timelessness of music, which seems appropriate on a trip to Europe. Plus, they're great stories! (panucci, I share your opinions on your original post.)

Snobby, I am sure most members of the INNER CIRCLE have been in prison. (As a Scot, it goes without saying that Sheila Ritchie has probably been in the nick on several occasions.) :)

Has any one read THE TEARS OF TEARNEY by Dolores Dimple Konefels? I couldn't put it down. I am planning to read the sequels--THE TRIALS OF TEARNY and THE TEMPTATIONS OF TEARNY.

Just got Lonely Planet's Czech & Slovak Republics and Hungary in the mail today, so I'll start reading those for our trip in a couple weeks.

Finishing up A Thousand Days in Venice. After reading it, decided it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to move there.

I'm taking a very light novel to read on the plane, it's called The Food of Love - set in Trastevere, about a woman who is seduced by a chef with aphrodisiac treats. Sounds like fun, the book I mean, ha.

I just bought the House of Medici its Rise and Fall tonight. After reading The Birth of Venus (loved it) I wanted to learn more about this family and the Renaissance in general. It was the only choice in the history section for the Medici. Does anyone have any other suggestions that might be better? Also just finished 1,000 Days in Venice and 1,000 Days in Tuscany and preferred the first.

I love these threads. Can anyone tell me a bit about "The Kite Runner"? I feel that I have to contribute if I receive so much, so I'll recommend mysteries by Carol O'Connell, because they are very interesting. Alas, they are not set in any exotic locale. J.

JSmith..I am on the library list for Elizabeth George too..my very favorite author.

loisco, how about Deborah Crombie?

If you haven't already, try Ian Rankin set in Edinburgh? I just finished his latest. Differs from the ladies.

Really liked the Kite Runner too. Just finished The Name sake, it`s about a couple who come from India and goes through the life of their son. Good book. Now I`m ready to read 102 hours, about the time right after the twin towers catastrophy. Any one read it? it sounds interesting.

I'm reading Don't Wake Me At Doyles, it's a memoir by Maura Murphy of her life in Ireland. It's very good.

I have just read an interesting trilogy about Josephine by Sandra Gulland.They are "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B", "Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe" and "The Last Great Dance on Earth" Thye give a new perspective on Napoleon, Josephine and the whole period. Not at all a travel related book, but I also enjoyed "The Photograph" by Penelope Lively.

Jsmith...never heard of Deborah Crombie..I started one of Rankin's books and couldn't get into it..but I always try again.

Anyone else????...I will reserve D Crombie from the library.

Will need plane reading in September...

Spent WAY too much at the bookstore and it seems like I might go back to get Without Reservations. I did buy a book not mentioned, The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It takes place in Barcelona and was on the Spanish bestsellers list for over a year. It looks great. Has anyone read it?