A good read?
 

Have an 11 hour flight coming up - anyone recommend a good read to really hold my interest? No horror please.<BR><BR>Thanks.

The Lovely Bones - it's a murder mystery even though you know all along who did it. It is told from the viewpoint of the murdered girl as seen from heavan. I thought it was quite a different twist on suspense.

Have a look at the suggestions in this thread - I got a lot of good ideas! (don't be put off by the &quot;no-brainer&quot; part!)<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1375677

What kind of books do you enjoy reading? <BR><BR>Any Michael Chrichton I always adore (though you may want to shy away from AIRFRAME on an Airplane---though it didn't stop me) <BR><BR>If you like Non-fiction<BR>There Are No Children Here (though it may be a little dated with the tearring down of all the projects in Chicago). <BR><BR>If you are into war stories and interesting story called Gods Go Begging by Alfredo Vea compares the inner city LA area in current times to the war zone of Vietnam---he came to my class and spoke my sophmore year of college---An Interesting read

I recently read &quot;Prodigal Summer&quot; by Barbara Kingsolver, which I just loved - great story, wonderful characters, and the language is lush and sensuous. Another wonderful book is &quot;Good Harbor&quot; by Anita Diamont, which takes place on Cape Ann, Massachusetts (she also wrote &quot;The Red Tent&quot;, another favorite). I don't know your gender, but I imagine that all of these books probably hold more appeal for women than for most men

Michael Crichton's Timeline, especially if you are off for France. I didn't like the Lovely Bones at all. So, you are going to have to do some research on these books, as tastes differ!

Absolutly loved the Vince Flynn novels with Mitch Rapp as main character. I believe the first one is Transfer of Power, also try Seperation of Power. Could not put them down!! Action Adventure.

Three Junes was totally absorbing and wonderful....also for women, the Shopaholic series is quite fun...mindless but good....Empire Falls was an amazing book - good for anyone!!!

Sisters Found by Joan Johnston is about twins who find out they are triplets, this was so good I read it in one day. It is about 375 pages. Curious as to where you are flying to?

&quot;The Lovely Bones&quot; was my first thought also.<BR>Fantastic!

Thanks everyone, some good suggestions here - I see a pattern forming!<BR><BR>a321sesame - It is hard to pin down my favourite genre of books, I like coming of age type stuff, psychologically stuff, romantic but NOT slushy. Something to make you think - observational writing can be fab - twists are great - what is the name of the genre I am looking for - can't think of it?! Ahh!!<BR><BR>Many of my favourite authors are British and not sure if you will have heard of them. Susan Howatch writes brilliantly - been waiting over 2 years now for her new book!! <BR><BR>ARKANSASNURSE - I am flying from London to Phoenix! Can't wait to be back in USA - I adore it!!

A great way to get ideas is to go to Amazon.com. Type in one of your favorite authors or books and once it pops up, it will also give you selections to choose from based on what other people bought who read that same author or book. Then you can read excerpts and reviews to see if those selection entertain you. I do this periodically and take a list of &quot;must get&quot; books with me to the bookstore. That is also how I found authors who had similar writing styles to my husband's favorite author, Stephen Frey because Stephen Frey does not put out books as often as other mass market authors. This keeps him entertained while waiting. Also, try their listmania selections. These are reviewers who give list fo their favorite books. You can read excerots and reviews of all of these books as well.

bbib, are you female? I received &quot;Three Plums in One&quot; as a Christmas gift and have since gone through every book about Stephanie Plum's adventures. Three Plums in one is actually the first 3 books that were written in the series by Janet Evanovich:<BR>One for the Money<BR>Two for the Dough<BR>Three to get Deadly<BR><BR>NOT for you if you're looking for a novel that makes you think. Stephanie is from Trenton, NJ and falls into the business of being an apprehension agent rather than going to work at the button factory. She's a pip (as her grandma Mazur would say).

gotta agree, skip Lovely Bones. It was just OK, and got kind of far-fetched.<BR>How about Beach Music...Pat Conroy?

I like books about traveling when I travel. In Border's, they are in a section called travel narratives. Two favorite authors are Bill Bryson (I'm a Stranger Here Myself, The Lost Continent, A Walk in the Woods) and Michael Horwitz (Blue Latitudes, Confederates in the Attic). Both have a great way of being open to the unusual and a dry sense of humor.<BR>

I have to agree, I love Michael Chrichton. <BR> I also love the Harry Potter books (I've read each twice and can't wait for the next).<BR> I also love all the Callahan books by Spider Robinson. They are (mild) si-fi and full of puns. <BR> Erma Bombeck is great for humor esp. &quot;When You Look Like Your Passport Photo It's Time to Go Home&quot;. <BR>&quot;Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood&quot; was good as well as &quot;Little Alters Everywhere&quot; both by Rebecca Wells.<BR>Hope these help!

How about SeaBiscuit? Shows the early and mid 1900's in interesting light as well as learning about horses/horseracing. <BR><BR>If you are interested in cooking I liked Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl (Gourmet magazine editor)or Kitchen Confidential Tony Bourdain( (hilarious book on working in restaurants). All are easy reads. <BR><BR>Or how about reading a book which revolves around where you are traveling, such as Peter Mayle French Lessons, for France, Under the Tuscan Sun, Italy, Frances Mayes etc.. good luck!

bbib,<BR><BR>These are a few of my favorites (all recommended to many others who seemed to enjoy them as well):<BR><BR>1. &quot;100 Years of Solitude&quot; by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Simply one of the best books I've ever read. Not light reading but amazing and thought provoking. Should be required reading for the world.<BR><BR>2. &quot;Still Life with Woodpecker&quot; by Tom Robbins. Delightful, imaginative and sexual. Great excapist fare that will still make you laugh, cry and think.<BR><BR>3. &quot;Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy&quot; by John Le Carre. A riveting spy thriller by the master of spy thrillers.<BR><BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!<BR><BR>Strive

WOW, what a trip. PLEASE get up and stretch once and awhile long flights and long car trips can cause blood clot formation in the legs, which can travel to the lungs and kill you. Don't wanna bum you out, but I AM a nurse, and care about your health, sorry, it's my nature. A simple Bayer aspirin can help with this unless you are allergic. Who wrote Lovely Bones? Sounds like my cup of tea!!

Red Lobster, White Trash and the Blue Lagoon by Joe Queenan is just about the funniest book I've ever read--perfect for a long plane ride. On a more serious note, I also loved Prodigal Summer (the Barbara Kingsolver novel mentioned above). Anne Tyler's Back When We Were Grownups is another favorite--quirky characters, beautiful writing. Most people loved the Nanny Diaries--I found it more disturbing than entertaining. How about a nice long Maeve Binchy book--anything written by her is good and attention-keeping. Rosamunde Pilcher is the best, though--September and the Shell Seekers are in my top 20 all time favorites and would hold your interest. Only problem is--you won't want the books to end!

Since you are going to Arizona, I recommend &quot;Desert Solitaire&quot; by Edward Abbey. Abbey is a premier writer about the natural wonders of the desert southwest. He is deceased. The book is just marvelous. It is about how he discovered his vocation as a result of a summer job in a remote Utah National Park.

You're probably familiar with Nick Hornsby but just in case, he definitely deserves a mention. His writing is very clear, efficient and simplistic but the meanings behind what he writes is very deep. And, oh yeah, very funny.<BR><BR>High Fidelity would be my first recommendation but About a Boy is suprisingly just as good.

I always like reading books about where I am headed. Arizona? The only author that comes to mind is Carlos Castanada (sp) writes kind of new age stuff that blends Native American beliefs with a main characters journey. Not really for me but a lot of people love him. <BR><BR>I read &quot;Paradise News&quot; recently by a well known British author who's name escapes me but that was about a British man's emotional and physical journey to Hawaii. A page turner for me because it involves the H-word so I think I am bias when there is this reference.<BR><BR>I really like Nick Hornby's work but I have not read only seen in films. <BR><BR>Most of what I like will take longer than an 11 hour flight coming and going. If I were in your shoes I think I would be looking at Native American literture. I think going to a new place is a great place to aquaint yourself with local lit, possibly the mood of the culture. I am sure a quick search on the net might yield a publishing house that specializes in this (Native American Literature). I would also go to Amazon or Barnes &amp; Nobles and do a search. The later would be good for opinions. let us know what you come up with!!! Happy trails and nighty night!!!

ElCheapo - yes I am female. I do like novels that make me think, but i guess on a flight passing the time is more of a priority - see anything that speeds up those sky-high hours is good with me. Thanks.<BR><BR>Arkansasnurse - thanks for the concern and the tip - have bought some of those delightful 'o' flight socks. Do they really help??<BR><BR>LaurenSkhan - Fab idea, will be doing the magic route through northern arinzona and southern utah for the first time... wonder if I can get Desert Solitude in UK..<BR><BR>Thanks to everyone else too.

If you're going to Arizona you would enjoy J.A. Jansen's series about Sheriff Brady who lives just outside of Bisbee, Arizona. We've read the whole series and after a recent visit to Arizona we thoroughly enjoyed our stop in Bisbee - not to mention the beautiful surrounding countryside. A nice easy mystery series.

bbib: For a copy of Desert Solitaire, try [email protected] . They've got the paperback for 6 quid plus postage. It is, indeed, a great read. <BR><BR>Another, in a similar vein, is Encounters with the Archdruid, by John McPhee. He accompanies David Brower, of Sierra Club fame, on four encounters with folks who're supposed to be enemies of the environment. And strong cases are made for both sides.<BR><BR>The Abbey and McPhee titles were both published about 1971, and remain a couple of landmark titles in the environmental arena.

Hated Lovely Bones, Loved Beach Music.<BR>&quot;Honor Lost: Love &amp; Death in Modern Day Jordan&quot; by Norma Khouri . <BR><BR>It sounds like it would be &quot;too heavy&quot; for 11-hr. flight but it is a VERY easy read whilst giving a history lesson, albeit somewhat of a downer but nonetheless, holds you in your seat .

I didn't like &quot;Lovely Bones&quot; either. I am reading John Grisham's newest, &quot;KIng of Torts.&quot; I really like it. I also liked, &quot;The Testament&quot; by him.

I read three books on my vacation in February: The Lovely Bones (loved it); Bed and Breakfast; Bel Canto.

Wow! So interesting to read how tastes differ. My husband and I loved Lovely Bones - hard to put down. Everyone I know loved it, too. I hated Bel Canto.<BR>Reading an interesting book now - Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. Love that guy.

Memoirs of a Geisha is a great book. It is the type of book that you can't put down.

Thanks for that bookhall.<BR><BR>I don't think I'm going to be short of a good read now - so may ideas.

I just began reading a new book, and love it! It's called &quot;The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants&quot;. It is about 4 friends who spend the summer apart and share a pair of magical jeans. Very funn read, not like &quot;Ya Ya Sisterhood&quot;. Also if you like Harry Potter, try &quot;Midnight for Charlie Bone&quot;. Simliar but different, I couldn't put it down, and I have to buy the sequal.