Holiday reading recommendations - no chick lit

[BugBearisBugBear]

Imagine you're off to sunny France next month with DH, the DCs and the grandparents for a week. You have little time to read, but because of the gps you are hoping to manage at least a couple of afternoons lounging by the pool. You can only take one book because of weight restrictions. So the book you take must be gripping and not one you will give up on after 40 pages.

What would you recommend?

Am not into chick lit at all. I read the Booker shortlist/literary fiction blah but want something easy to read and non-depressing. It must not be at all challenging.

Mary Lawson one "heartbreaking".

admylin, I thought you were doing proper transliteration from the Hebrew or something with your 'Jacab' . Didn't realize it was a typo.

[ignoramus emoticon]

That Joshua Ferris book is one of the few in recent times that I've actually given up on, really couldn't get into it.

Would recommend, as ever, anything by Jonathan Coe.
Also "A Home at the end of the world" by Michael Cunningham
Or "Random Acts of Heroic Love" by Danny Scheinnmann

Patrick Gale

Then We Came To The End was so amusing to start then about halfway through became dull and troubling and I only finished it because I thought it might pick up again towards the end (it didn't)

sorry haven't read thread

The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. I took it on a group holiday and it was a massive hit with everyone there. Not at all PC but if you can accept that in historical fiction (It was written in 1908) then go for it!

Another corker is the Happy Prisoner by Monica Dickens. same problem but it's such a great read. You can get it on ebay or similar.

second Agent Zigzag, also Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire.

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Anything by William Boyd.

Patrick gale

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How about Mr Pip which supposed to be fab?

It is set on the Pacific island I lived on until 18 so i am dying to get into it (which will after i finish my next damned essay.)

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Recently read Margaret Atwood's 'Alias Grace' on holiday and was totally gripped.

MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Tis killing me but i love love love it.
Going for the PhD next.I just can't stop it from calling to me.

How about doing some classic?
I am a huge fan of owt by Zola.
Books are just gripping.
Extra Brownie points for being in France and reading them obv.

Mr Pip is SO bad

Oh is it?
Bummer.
I'll read it anyway.

Patrick Gale - do you mean the Notes from an Exhibition one?

God no, not classics they always feel like hard work to me.

Last one was Bleak house took about 7 weeks to read and swore never to go near one again.

Before that it was Madame Bovary, made me want to commit murder.

Mind you, DH read it in French. That's true masochism.

Riddle of the Sands/Agent Zigzag a bit boy book for my tastes I think.

I liked The Song as it is Sung by Justin Cartwright.

oooooh or how about the Balkan Trilogy or Levant Trilogy by Olivia Manning.

notes form an exhibition/rough music sweet obsurity

This Book Will Save Your Life - A.M.Homes. Not a self-help book! review here