bennie

Recently read the Shopaholic Takes Manhattan - a little too fluffy for my taste - Bridget Jones was far better.

If you want something a touch more heavyweight, you might consider Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer. That and the Songcatcher (don't remember author's name) both made me want to visit the Appalachian Mountains and both were beautifully written books.

I also love books by Irish authors and just finished Mary McGreevy (again can't remember the author's name). It was so funny and a bit challenging too - set in small village in Ireland - post WWII - strong woman opening the minds of villagers. For ultra light there are always Maeve Binchey books - Tara Road etc.

buttercup

I second "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. I would also add "The Lost Continent" and "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," also by Bryson. Two different books about the USA, written about 20 years apart. I found it interesting to see how the author's attitudes had changed. "The Lost Continent" is the earlier book.

I also like the Sue Grafton alphabet mysteries. (A is for Alibi, etc.), and have recently been reading Joan Hess for light, fun mysteries.

I know what you mean about beach reading. I tried a Patricia Cornwall book last summer, and it was too violent and dark for the beach.

James

How about Tales of the South Pacific by Michener. It's a bunch of short stories set in, well, the South Pacific. They're all World War II influenced, but it's not much in the way of fighting and soldiering. The stories are a perfect length for a stay at the beach.

Jim

Don't men read too? I didn't read the full post but at the end most recommendations came from women. I think I'm going to read and re-read some of the late Thor Heyerdahl's books, "Report from Ground Zero" (by a former fireman, maybe Dennis Smith?) but otherwise need suggestions.

Sarah

thanks James any focus on Hawaii in these stories? People should also know that there is a Michener (thx sp) exhibit at the Honolulu Academy of Art on Oahu.

Anybody read "Road to Coorain" by Jill Ker Conway? PBS made it into a movie that peaked my interest. About growing up on the Australian Outback.

suzanne

I second "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang - it may be my favorite book out of the thousands I've read. Mao's power, all the denial that was going on...holy cow. What better way to capture the reality of the start of Communism in China than through the eyes of this woman, a daughter of a high-ranking official, and a leader in the Communist youth movement. China's history was not something I learned in school...I found it totally fascinating and disturbing ("everyone must stop what they're doing for the next 2 years and do nothing but melt down metal" - what a completely ludicrous idea!) You wondered why, as a child, your parents would tell you "people are starving in China" when you didn't eat your dinner...this book explains why. It's not just a history lesson, it's a completely engrossing story. It's fantastic. 'Nuff said.

Sarah

my favorite too suzanne although I have not read thousands so I left that opinion out. Totally blown away by that book. I live in NYC and I was frequently stopped by others who saw me reading this and had to share the same reaction.

RAE

Yes, men do read. I suggested Kitchen Confidential.

Dennis Smith's book is extremely moving. An unbelievable read but difficult to get through some parts without feeling overwhelmed emotionally. (My brother is a member of the FDNY and several of his close friends are mentioned.)

I'd also suggest "A Soldier of the Great War" by Mark Helprin.

Ellin

Read these just last week at the beach: Corrections (J. Franz), We were the Mulvaneys, the Patterson mysteries starting with First to Die; also the biography of Fulton J. Sheen.

Different Susan

RAE,thanks for mentioning Mark Helprin - I always recommend A Winters Tale by MH, though it is out of print, so the library, a used book store, of Half.com is your best bet for finding it.

I second the nom for Kitchen Confidential and anything by Elmore Leonard, Larry McMurtry or Janet Evanovich.

If you've read Secrets of the Divine Ya-Ya Sisterhood, be sure to read its prequel, Little Altars Everywhere.

Happy Reading!

Different Susan

Woops -- even if you've read that OTHER book, "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood," I still recommend the prequel!

nina

Jim, here's another one for you. Mr. nina (well if Kal can have Mrs. Kal then I can have Mr. nina), loved Memoirs from Antproof case, another Mark Helprin book (and so did I). He also liked Giovanni's Gift by Bradford Morrow.

Maggi

Has anyone read "Shelters of Stone" by Jean Auel (her latest in the "Clan of the Cave Bear" series)? It's a rather large book to take on vacation, I'm considering waiting until it comes out in paperback. On my list to prepare for our September trip to the island is "Hawaii : True Stories of the Island Spirit (Travelers' Tales Guides) by Rick Carroll.

Iza

There are actually two or three books/memoirs by Jill Kerr Conway including "The Road to Coorain". I just can't remember the titles. But all of them are recommended reading.
I missed the PBS movie, unfortunately.

Sarah

Think Road to Coorain was the best selling memoir have your red Iza and what the heck is going on with your tickets?

Sarah

Iza so tired here "have you read" any of the Ker Conway books?

Sarah

Have to throw this in if you are going to Hawaii you really want to read
"The Hawaii Story by Queen Liloukilani". Light reading and not the best writing but you are reading the hand of the last sovereign of Hawaii. This made it special for me. Tells you things you don’t readily know about Hawaii, how Waikiki years ago was known as the healing place (now we know it as the healing place for professionals ) , how you must see the volcano at midnight, how the alii (sp) were raised, schooled. A good starter background to Hawaiian culture. Short at 250p.

Want to take in very little reading about Hawaiian history but will still like to bone up. My favorite quickie book is "The Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands" by Dr. Phil Barnes.85pages

You can get both of thes books on Amazon they will bring you closer to Hawaii's past.

Iza

I read it (actually listened to it read by the author - books on tape, you know). It was good. I also listened to the second part of it, called "True North" - was pretty interesting too. Too bad I missed the movie, I think it was on in CT last Monday. But maybe they will show it again.
I still don't have my Hawaii tickets. Tried bidding on Priceline $900 (including taxes) from both Hartford and Newark to Kauai and got rejected! I will buy the tickets this week though. I didn't want to bid for Honolulu because we may get really late arrival or early departure and then we would have to spend the night there. So I'll just buy from Orbitz, or whoever happens to have the lowest prices tomorrow or Friday.

kiel

B is for Burglar.

Not because it's quality - but because it's so much fun to make fun of. Especially the exchange between the two old characters.

It'll take ya about 2 hors to read the thing. So why not?

-kielbasa man

x

For men - and women: No one has mentioned Tony Hillerman. Excellent writer/yarn-spinner. And a must for anyone travelling to the American southwest.