Who's taking what? Dan Brown (2) has been read and enjoyed. It's rumored that Clinton's is "eye-crossingly boring" in parts, and I don't want him on vacation with me anyway. What are you planning on reading at the beach, or in the mountains, or from the park bench?

I'm leaving on July 4th for New York city, Paris and Northern Spain. I'm taking 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Just finishing Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. It is a very funny book of short stories, many having to do with Americans in France

I am not on vacation, but I have been reading Wicked--the life and times of the wicked witch of the west, by gregory maguire.

Wonderful. Especially if you think the Wizard of Oz is the best movie ever made. (Sorry, I know, I am a grownup now, but I can't help it. )

I also just read Skeletons in the Zahara, non fiction, about a crew of sailors shipwrecked on the west coast of Africa. Interesting and appalling.

I just finished reading The Da Vinci Code and enjoyed it, for the most part. I felt it got a bit tedious towards the end, but it was interesting and I'm going to give Angels and Demons a try later this summer.

I'm currently reading "Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination" by Helen Fielding. This is the lady who wrote "Bridget Jones." This book is good, just not as laugh-out-loud funny as I thought BJ was.

I'm plannig to read "Wicked" next! I bought the book last week after watching the Broadway show in NYC on June 9. I loved the show and can't wait to get into the book.

I will also be reading the new Janet Evonavitch book (not sure if I spelled that right). It's the 10th book in the Stephanie Plum series and every one of her books makes me laugh out loud, so I can't wait to get this one.

Lee4-just bought the Janet Evanovich book "10 Big Ones" on the way home tonight and am so anxious to start it but am in the middle of "Shutter Island" (Dennis Lehane-Mystic River) so I'll have to wait....
I also bought the Bill Clinton book-we have a looong plane ride from Maine to Hawaii and I figured I'd either have plenty of time to wade though it or it'll put me to sleep...either is fine!!
My other "vacation" book will be Sue Grafton's "R is for Richochet" that comes out July 13.

A hilarious book is "Neither Here Nor There" by Bill Bryson. It's about his travels thru Europe with just enough exageration to make it laugh-out-loud funny.

Just finished "Eats Shoots and Leaves, Lynn Truss's incredibly funny book about English grammar and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night," this year's Booker Prize winner for fiction, written from the point of view of a 15 year old boy with Asperger's Syndrome. Also read "Stiff," a non-fiction book about all the respectable things that can be done with a corpse and "Candyland," the story of American candy bars.
I've been getting my mystery kick from Donna Leon's books -- all set in Venice. I'm about to start on the new edition of "Woe is I," another treatise on grammar (okay, I'm a little peculiar) and am trying to decide on where to buy the Clinton book. He may be coming to a book store near me and I wouldn't mind having the opportunity to get it autographed.

I too have "Angels and Demons" on deck for the vacation type read as well as John Adams (finally getting sround to it)which is physically . I just finished "The Dante Club" good book and just prior to that, "Notes From a Small Island" by Bill Bryson. I plan on reading every other book Bryson has written but there is no way in hell i can take them on vacation or anywhere in public for that matter. I had tears streaming down my cheeks throughout much of the book. His books are meant to be read in the privacy of my own home.

I preferred Angels and Demons over DaVinci code, couldn't put it down. Janet Evanovitch makes me laugh out loud, too. I may take 10 Big Ones with me to Ireland next week if I can get my hands on it! My brother in law is reading Anna Karenina, anybody have thoughts on that? I haven't read it yet.

Just began reading The Eye of the World, which is the first book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I guess it will be going on vacation with me. This is not typically the kind of book I would read, but both my brother and sister are addicted to this series. I want to see what all of the hype is about.

Just finished Love in the Time of Cholera. It had been on my to-read list for quite some time, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.

Just finished The King of Torts by Grisham. Hated it. Though it was an interesting backdrop for my Washington DC trip planning. Really wish he'd write more non-legal stuff. Also recently read The Secret Life of Bees. Loved it - definately more my style. Loved to hear more recommendations.

bonniebroad,

I keep meaning to read the Secret Lives of Bees--thanks for reminding me. You (and Scarlett) will appreciate the fact the I've been saving The Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love for fun reading in HI next month!

My book group just finished The Known World and half of us didn't make it to the end (good subjuect, just very poorly written). Our summer selections are Reading Lolita In Tehran (hmmmm,not sure about that one yet) and East of Eden (makes me feel like I'm back in Lit 101). What's your opinion of these two as a "vacation" book?

Other than the Sweet Potatos, I'm also considering What was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal.

I just finished Nickled and Dimed which could be read before a long plane trip ends; and you'll never look at Walmart the same when you're done!

I'm glad I looked at this thread again--now I have even more ideas for books to read! I have read almost every Bill Bryson book and really enjoyed them all. He has moments when he got me to laugh out loud too! Last summer, I re-read The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Even though I'd read it before, I found myself crying on the plane as I got near the end of the book (embarrassing!).

A few weeks ago, I read Da Vinci Code on an airplane and was accused of being in a cult! YIKES! I like to talk literature, but I sure don't like being doomed to Hades by fellow travelers. I told the guy it was "FICTION" but I have a feeling he didn't believe me. He spent almost our entire flight discussing that book and other religious issues with my husband, an English teacher, who enjoyed all that greatly.

I agree that The Secret Life of Bees is a wonderful book! It was one where I actually wished it wouldn't end b/c I found myself so attached to the characters. Plus, I love books by southern writers. Pat Conroy is my all time favorite. I need him to get a new book out soon.

I can't wait to read The 10 Big Ones! I've got a friend who buys the Janet E books the day they come out and then I get to read them after her. Hopefully, it won't be long now...

Of course, "The Shining" - and the Lord of the Rings trilogy - AGAIN!

James Patterson-Has anyone read 3rd Degree yet? I've read most of his books and liked all except for Jester and Lake House. Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle, I still loved it after watching the movie first. Oh, the man can write........

I'm currently on a Jose Saramago kick and have loved everything he's written so far. I highly recommend "Blindness" and "All the Names" - couldn't put down either of them!

Adored Anna Karenina as well, and you can never go wrong with David Sedaris or Bill Bryson.