What shall I read? I am about to go on holiday, have a virgin kindle, too much choice and no idea!

[MrsFogi]

I seem to have read so little since the dds arrived but I hope to change all that starting on my holiday next week. But...I have frozen in the face of all the choice and have no idea what to read. If I tell you what, embarasing little, I've read and enjoyed (fiction and non fiction) over the last few years could you suggest what I should buy ? The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, Possession by AS Byatt, The Kite Runner, How to be a Woman, Letters from America
I don't want anything scary or sad (well, no more sad than the Kite Runner or scary than the Dragon Tatoo trilogy) .

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If you like a bit of Scandi Noir, how about a nice Italian detective?

[fusspot66]

I found I was regretting some poor choices from the free books when I finished them. They were often given good reviews but when time to read for leisure is precious you want something amazing and challenging, not just a page turner. I did love ' The Moonstone ' by Wilkie Collins though.
Any A S. Byatt is good, Kate Atkinson ? I used to enjoy Barbara Kingsolver .

[Mumlar]

Can I recommend Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Admittedly much hyped, I read it recently and found it really gripping, some negative reviews but I enjoyed it hugely.

[joanofarchitrave]

In a good light by Claire Chambers.
The lost continent by Bill Bryson.
French Revolutions by Tim Moore.
Stalingrad by Anthony Beevor.

[DuchessofMalfi]

I'd recommend The Light Between Oceans by M L Steadman. It is sad though, but such an amazing novel.

[TheMoonOnAStick]

Ooh I'll keep an eye on this I'm looking for some inspiration too. I've been toying with the idea of immersing myself in a collection of Nancy Mitford books for my hols (there's a collection to download) never having really read her before.

I was also looking this morning at The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (if you like historical fiction).

If you do like history/mystery I thoroughly recommend the Shardlake books if you haven't read them.

[TheMoonOnAStick]

JiltedJohnsJulie's link appeals to me, I think I might try that, thanks.

Also, I do keep hearing about Gone Girl, and am tempted.

I'm never sure whether to trust rave reviews or not anymore having been left a bit cold by a couple I've read (ie the Magpies which I thought didn't live up to the hype)

[highlandcoo]

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a joy to read.

The Observations by Jane Harris is fun.

[eurozammo]

I've just finished Gone Girl. I did find it very gripping and thought it was an interesting take on the detective genre.

[MimsyBorogroves]

What about 'And the Mountains Echoed'?

It's good - very different stylistically to The Kite Runner and arguably not quite as good, but it's still compelling.

[InMySpareTime]

The Strangeling's Tale by Carol Ferro.

[Msbluebozooka]

Pillars of the earth goes on and on and on . Has anybody read the new Kate Mosse forgotten what its called but her last 2 are brill.

[grabaspoon]

Before I go to sleep

[PestoSwimissimos]

I've just finished reading

Mango Bob

And the sequel


Mango Lucky

Both nice feel good books about an RV and a cat in Florida

[PestoSwimissimos]

Am now on

The Runaway Year

Nice light chick lit set in Brighton & Cornwall, so right up my street

[Helpyourself]

Download some free stuff too. I've read an Austen and a Zola each of my last few holidays. I always have something more urgent and never do normally; on holiday I get a bit contemporary fictioned out and it's great to have an alternative.

[boredoftrying]

Can I recommend anything by Emily Barr, I love her books they are interesting and gripping but easy to read. Great for holidays! I've also just finished The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry which I really enjoyed.