Holiday reads

[janeite]

I need suggestions please, for books to take on holiday with me.

Things I like:

Jane Austen (well of course!) but I've read them all a zillion times and don't want to take them

Sort of literary historical crime fiction eg: Sherlock Holmes, The Matthew Shardlake novels by CJ Shansom

Terry Pratchett (read em all though); Stephen King (ditto) Isabel Allende (and again); teenage fiction, especially gritty urn=ban stuff and fantasy (hate adult fantasy though, except Pratchet and King); v well written and gripping history books (non-fiction obv)

Literary-ish fiction that isn't poncily over-written - eg: I liked "The Kite Runner" but hated "A Quiet Belief In Angels"; liked Douglas Coupland but hated Attonement; if that means anything!

No chick lit, no Richard and Judy (their suggestions are getting worse and worse) please. What I'd really like is a big fat historical trilogy thing that will last me days - i am a hideously fast reader and hate being without a book.

Please help me! Thank you!

This is an interesting list of books you may not have come across. Eliza Graham is a MN-er

www.worldbookday.com/spreadtheword/

Eliza Graham - fantastic author. Playing with the Moon - amazing beautifully written book.

Downloading the list now.

Why thank, you Whispywhisp--I'm glad you liked the book.

Eliza...I just wish your 2nd book would hurry up and hit the shops! xxx

Not a trilogy but An Instance of the Fingerpost by ?Ian Pears is an historical thriller and quite weighty. I read 'Fingersmith' in error, thinking I was reading the above and was quite bemused by the lesbian sex!

Lol Suedonim! Have read both of those though!

Thanks for the list Bridie - lots of things I've never heard of on there, which is good.

NFK - hello from the other thread! I don't just want one book; I just want one huuuuuuuuuge book to begin with that might actually last me the plane journey!

Which classics have you particularly enjoyed, just in case there's anything I've missed?

Have you still not chosen?
When are you going?

Going on Saturday. I have been to three libraries and three bookshops but still not entirely satisfied. I am VERY fussy and I have read so much already; I keep picking books up thinking "Ooh that looks good" and then realising I've already read them.

I have so far got - a Neil Gaiman / Notes From An Exhibition / The Blind Assassin (though not convinced) / a book about the history of gin drinking in London / The Falling Man / No Country For Old Men - I may take some or none of the above.

Please try In Her Shoes, janeite - I read it very recently, thought it would be chicklit but it's not, it's a proper story with lovely real characters.

(Only a day to read though, tops )

Oooh, have you read Letters Between 6 Sisters? In paperback now, 830 pages & loads of cross-referencing & footnotes

Thanks Wendy. The Mitford Sisters one looks interesting, although probably not holiday reading.

This sounds awful but I think I'd hate "In Her Shoes" - sorry.

Oh that's OK - horses for courses

Phew - thank you! I think I said earlier that dp gets really cross with me and reading matter. I probably read at least 3 books most weeks and then wonder why I have nothing to read. Last night I resorted to re-reading "Little Women" and "Good Wives" for about the 15th time, as I had nothing else.

(In Her Shoes is still a lovely story though & very well written)

Just take them all.... and make the children wear swimsuits the whole time

Now THAT is a very good idea.

Ponders - will dp let me get away with a suitcase entirely full of books?

I'd take as many books as I could and leave the kids behind!

Or take the girls and the books and leave dp behind?!

Sorry dp - love you really.

Yep...I'd leave DH behind WITH the kids and take all my books with me. Cor, imagine that. Not only time on my own, peace and quiet and books. Bliss.

Well- you'd want dp to carry the case with the books in wouldn't you?

Any final book suggestions please folks? I have access to a library and a bookshop tomorrow.

I think I may have mentioned this earlier but if not, I've just started this one and its really quite good. Am sure it would keep you going for a couple of days!

Also saw you had Blind Assassin, I enjoyed this, quite a good, easy read!

Thanks Rosmerta. I've been playing the Amazon basket dance with that for ages. It's had very mixed reviews. I'd be very interested to know what you think of it overall.

I'll let you know!

So what have you gone for in the end for your holiday?