A 'non-holiday' book to read on holiday....

[ClashCityRocker]

Ok, so in a couple of weeks DH and I will be going to stop in a log cabin in Scotland for a week and I'm hoping you lovely mn'ers will be able to help me.

I have visions of days spent lolling grandiosely about with my head stuck in a good book during down time. This will be the first physical book purchase in awhile, as I usually just read on my kindle (due to DH operating a strict one in, one out policy on actual books as the spare room now resembles a library) however, the place we are staying has a hot tub, and therefore, using my kindle in it might not be the best idea...

So, I'm looking for two or three really good books to take with me.

My favourite authors are: Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Chuck Paulanuik, Brett Easton Ellis, Irvine Walsh, Lionel Shriver....however I've read pretty much all their offerings.

I also enjoyed the hunger games trilogy and GoT books.

To be honest, I can get on with most books, but am not a big fan of 'chick-lit' (confessions of a....and Bridget Jones Diary etc) or the typical 'holiday book club' type reads....(I'm thinking of the type that used to make up Richard and Judy's bookclub type with the swirly writing on the cover and 'a secret that threatens to ruin everything' included in the blurb)

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks all

The goldfinch again. Altho agree about secret history being worth reading first.

Also the swarm by Frank schezing. I absolutely loved this. It's almost scifi ish but seems like it could happen. Is menacing and altho I read it years ago it's really stayed with me.

I'm doing similar but got some old books I've always meant to read, got Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde and War and Peace! Hope they're good!

Not read War and Peace but really liked Dracula, although I think it should be kept for a holiday in Whitby! Have you read any Wilkie Collins? The Woman in White or The Moonstone is probably the best place to start. Lots of twists and turns and fantastic female characters.

gamescompendium, I read Dracula in Whitby.

We were staying pretty much at the foot of the abbey and it was a foggy night...I remember going outside for a bit of fresh air late one night after reading it and being somewhat spooked!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I agree with The Stand being a great book, probably one of my favourites.

I'm going to have a look into all of the suggestions, will probably take three or four with me. Love the suggestion of something Scottish, so I think one will definitely be that. I'll let you know how I get on.

def the goldfinch, also lottie moggach Kiss me first, and life after life. if you havnt read those three you should.
bit of a change of tack, i just read Cloudstreet, really nice read.

Oh, definitely Iain Banks if you're going on holiday to Scotland. And judging by the authors you enjoy, I'm sure you would like him too.

The Wasp Factory is his first, shortest and arguably his darkest book. I love it. Also particularly recommend The Crow Road and Espedair Street.

Have a great holiday

If you fancy a Scottish classic, have you read James Hogg's Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner? It was one of Stevenson's inspirations for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and is all about the Double / Doppelgänger. Or about dissociative personality disorder long before it was even recognised. It also deals with predestination and Calvinism. It's superb, much better than my description makes it sound!

Have you read any Franzen? I think you'd like his writing. Agree with the Iain Banks recommendations.

I'm currently reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts and really enjoying it. Judging from your list of favourites I think it might be your kind of thing. Would also recommend The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Read broken heart syndrome by Susie Tate - it's funny and takes you back to bygone days

I'll second the recommendation for Murakami, I love his books. I've not read the one mentioned but I think my favourite of his (that I've read) is The Wind Up Bird Chronicle

Second the wind up bird chronicle & Middlesex-both fab books that have stayed with me years after reading them, (& so you will remember your hols in association).

Also 'a heartbreaking work of staggering genius'-Dave Eggers.

Have you read the his dark materials trilogy by Philip Pullman? Only mentioned as I thoroughly enjoyed them while on hols!

Will be getting tips for my upcoming holiday :)

Not sure if too late but if you like Palanuik can I recommend John Niven. He's quickly becoming my favourite author. Dark sense of humour, I think his first book Kill Your Friends has been picked up to be made into a film. The Amateurs might be particularly fitting as it's set in Scotland, don't let the fact that it centres around golf put you off! It's brilliantly funny and a little bit twisted.

chirpchirp I'd never heard of John Niven but have just ordered The Amateurs having looked at reviews on Amazon. Will be a great present for some Scottish friends who are into golf. Thanks for the recommendation.
The Restraint of Beasts is another darkly humorous book set in Scotland - well worth a read.

I've just ordered the Amateurs on the back of this thread too. I'm so easily influenced!

Excellent, have ordered The Restraint of Beasts, just downloading onto kindle now. Hope you enjoy Niven, I've genuinely loved everything he's written.