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) .

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

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 .

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.

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

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

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.

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)

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a joy to read.

The Observations by Jane Harris is fun.

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

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.

The Strangeling's Tale by Carol Ferro.

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.

Before I go to sleep

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

Am now on

The Runaway Year

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

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.

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.