in a bad patch... please recommend escapist novel!

[sansouci]

I need to escape! Need something to distract me, not requiring too much concentration but not trite either. (not into chick lit). Have a long haul flight ahead of me, most of which will be during the night so hopefully dc asleep. Anyone read anything unputdownable lately? Thx.

the new harlan coben (Myron Bolitar) is good for that - it is only in hardback at the moment though

(personally, I thought it had a few more holes than his normal ones but it was completely unputdownable and only took me around 2 nights to read it)

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1910&threadid=192705&stamp=060715175511 \Promise Me}

Pandora by Jilly Cooper. It's well written blockbuster stuff, not too pathetic-single-woman-gets-a-man type lit.
The Da Vinci Code is gripping but doesn't require much concentration, ditto any other Dan Brown.
The Hungry Years is great, not fiction, but v enjoyable imo
Ben Elton is easy to read and not chick lit, fairly gripping but sometimes a bit worthy.

gggrrrr Promise Me

When I need something completely untaxing I like absolutely nothing better than reading a few Agatha Christies, even if I have read them before I rarely remember the endings. Might fit the bill?

It's got to be something I can get in terminal 4.

There's probably a pretty decent selection there, though? I can't remember.

I've just finished Be my Baby by Zoe Barnes, but that's probably a bit trashy for you.

Something my Jodi Picoult?

well for me I find anything by Jodi Picoult un-putdownable at the moment, and since being on strong painkillers after the car accident I am finding anything too 'in depth', too hard. She has done.....my sisters keeper, the tenth circle (literally just finished that on today...good book), keeping faith,vanishing acts, -plain truth, salem falls. All good, and unstoppable for me!!

Tori Hayden is good too. She writes true life stuff about her years as a special ed teacher, and i find myself completely involved with her books. - Ghost girl, some other kid, tigers child, one child....and others. All good too.

If you like crime books, then James Patterson is always good, and some Jeffery Deaver. His Licoln Rhyme novels are always good, and the latest is just out, and bought by me this morning. Obviously don't yet know on the grippabilty of this new one.

hope these help some...and good travelling.

Nothing's too trashy really. I'm no literary snob but probably just too past it for chick lit. Must admit I've never been able to read a Daniel Steele or Marion Keyes but all suggestions welcome.

oh Marian Keyes is just too..... god what's the word? formula?

If you want something sweet but not sacharine, Frank Cottrell Boyce's children's books are lovely and I stayed up late reading them.

I'm reading Jilly Cooper latest. Its not chick-litty. Quite witty really and makes me laugh.

Ive read all her other ones too.

If you want something you cant put down would recommend The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafa

I read this on long train journey and certainly kept me busy.

would second Jasper Fforde - it's trashy, funny books for people with a brain, Start with the Eyre Affair if you can find it.

Also The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber or Fingersmith by Sarah Waters are both books to get completely lost in, brilliant takes on the Victorian novel but totally gripping (and don't be put off by the fact that the Michael Faber is the size of a small dog - I still didn't want it to end!)

ooh yes, Fingersmith is wonderful.

recently I've really enjoyed;
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger - truly gripping, didn't want it to end
Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford - a hoot
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons - marvellous parody
The Accidental by Ali Smith was quite thought-provoking and could handle re-reading, imo

I thought Shadow of the Wind was pants, truly dull