LUCY BURDETTE: This is a Traveling with Books question. John and I are going on a big trip in March involving a very long plane flight, long layovers, etc. I used to travel with a stack of books because I absolutely have to have something to read while I’m on the road. Plus obviously, vacation offers more time to read, depending on the type of vacation you’ve chosen. (This vacation will involve a lot of trudging, so we’ll see how much reading gets done.)
In the past, if I was going somewhere for a week-ish, I would pack 6 to 8 books so I wouldn’t run out. John was always horrified at the extra weight. Then e-books became popular, we acquired a Kindle, and I was persuaded to leave the hardcopies behind. Imagine my horror and despair when the brand new Kindle malfunctioned early in the trip so a quarter of each screen was absolutely unreadable. Even though we were in Hungary, we managed to find one bookstore that carried some English language books, but nothing I was dying to read. So I borrowed books from the other travelers on the trip as they finished what they’d brought--dependent on their book choices and reading speed. It was a nightmare!
Now I try to combine the techniques – pick out a couple of paperbacks that are thick and and not too serious and utterly appealing so as to distract from the worst aspects of traveling, and hope the Kindle app on my iPad continues to function as well.
Questions of the day: Can you recommend a paperback book or two that meet my travel criteria: thick and compelling? (The photo is of some of the books I own that could possibly make the travel team. Do any of those strike your fancy?) How do you handle traveling and reading?
Questions of the day: Can you recommend a paperback book or two that meet my travel criteria: thick and compelling? (The photo is of some of the books I own that could possibly make the travel team. Do any of those strike your fancy?) How do you handle traveling and reading?
How about Nicci French's "The Last Days of Kira Mullan" or Lis Jewell's "None of This is True" . . . .
ReplyDeleteI'll look those up, thanks
DeleteIf you haven’t read Remarkably Bright Creatures, take that in paperback. I also liked We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry. Complete 180 degree difference between the two books, but they are both immersive stories. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteRBC is now on the yes list. I'll look into Carol...
DeleteTwo absolutely fabulous choices! Absolutely agree!
DeleteEven after getting a Kindle, Irwin would not try to limit my taking 5 paperbacks with us when traveling. He reads a lot of the same mysteries, so they are for both of us, but I also make sure that the Kindle is loaded with books we haven't read yet. I also read romances. Recently, I read FREDERICA by Georgette Heyer. It's as close to Jane Austen as any author I have ever read. I pack one or two books in each suitcase, one or two in my carryon and my Kindle in my purse.
ReplyDeleteBruce Coffin's new series is terrific and Annette Dashofy's Detective Honeywell series is one of my favorites. Those books are available in paperback, but not lengthy. James Benn's series is also available in paperback, but again the stories aren't lengthy.
Still, it sounds like you have a great trip planned. Be fearless! Carry books!
thanks Judy, that reminds me that we have the new Arnoldur Indridiasson that both of us will read.
DeleteReally liked the new indridiasson but on how I miss Inspector Erlendur
DeleteHe was my favorite too Ann
DeleteHaving to rely on other people's book choices on a trip sounds like a nightmare. I always bring a paper book in addition to my Kindle, but I'm coming up short on what to recommend for you, though.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you headed? Long flights sounds like Asia or New Zealand.
New Zealand--ulp!
DeleteDon't forget to wiggle your feet a lot during the flights!
DeleteGood advice Edith. Wiggle feet a lot and get up and move around the cabin as much as possible to keep your blood circulating.
DeleteOh Lucy, Bew Zealand! How wonderful! Looking forward to your posts about the trip!
DeleteCompression socks, too.
DeleteNew Zealand! Oh how wonderful! English speaking with books in bookstores and airports...not as alarming as being bookless in Eastern Europe.
DeleteNo specific titles. And my traveling days are ancient history. If you are a re-reader, Lucy, I’d suggest taking books you have already read, travel with “friends”. Then if the kindle fails or the paperback gets left in a cafe or hotel room, you know how they would continue the conversation. Bon Voyage! Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I only reread on audio. I do have 8-ish titles there too, but it's not the same thing
DeleteI make sure I have plenty of books downloaded on my kindle.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I have over 100 LOL
DeleteOnly a hundred?? Ha ha ha ha. You must not be addicted to Bookbub offers lol
DeleteDeb, that sounds like a nightmare! I do travel with only my Kindle these days, and the thought of it failing had never occured to me. But here are a few titles I loved that I think would fit your criteria, and Amazon indicates there's a paperback edition: The Wedding People by Alison Espach; Don't Forget to Write by Sarah Goodman; When We Let Go by Rochelle B. Weinstein. Pretty much any of Lucy Foley's books.
ReplyDeleteThe Wedding People was great, and I was on a panel with the author last spring!
DeleteI have The Wedding People on my kindle
DeleteI really liked Don’t Forget to Write! — Pat S
DeleteIf you haven't read it yet and don't mind the fact that it's about 12 years old, Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot see.
ReplyDeleteI loved that one Elizabeth, it's a doorstopper so would have been a good choice!
DeleteHave a wonderful time in New Zealand.
DeleteTraveling and reading-a must to have books! A delightful dilemma. I love Annie Harnett and definitely recommend her, also Remarkably Bright Creatures! I just read Gish Jens The Resisters (in paperback) and recommend it. Much to ponder and a great story! The Secret War of Mulia Child is on my TBR, thanks for the reminder. I only read print books. We’re going to Tortola for a week this month and I am picking out paperbacks (mostly galleys I have been meaning to get to for some time) to bring. And my husband has 3 books I can also read! When finished we’ll leave them for other readers at our AirBNB and have extra room for souvenirs going home. Good luck choosing , traveling, and reading!
ReplyDeletekindred souls Suzette! I loved Annie Harnett's latest, one of favorites of the year.
DeleteI just finished her latest, The Road to Tender Hearts. Classic Annie-funny, weird, heartwarming AND there’s a great cat!
DeleteI adore that cat!
DeleteIt is a dilemma! I hate running out of books! A paperback that I loved, both thick and compelling is The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. The two by Anthony Doerr--Al the Light We Cannot See and Cloud Cuckoo Land. Madeleine Miller's Circe and The Song of Achilles aren't quite so thick, but so beautiful. I ran out of books in Europe the last time I went and ended up trading with a woman in a B and B and searching out an English language bookstore in Antibes. One does what one must.
ReplyDeleteWeight of Ink was very good, but Song of Achilles absolutely blew me away. I never quite got into Circe, and know I should give it another try. Some thirty years ago I was in Florence for a month (I think) to do research at the archive. On my walk home I would pass everyday a sort of book store where you could buy a book (used), and then return it for a credit, and take another, etc. I think English books were a specialty, and I remember reading mysteries. As I was there on my own and didn't know anyone, it came in so handy. There was also no TV, and streaming wasn't a thing back then, so the books, and my transistor radio, were lifesavers.
DeleteI , too, loved The Song of Achilles. A fan of The Weight of Ink, All the Light..., and Circe, as well. Must try Cloud Cuckoo Land.
DeleteI just checked and I've had The Weight of Ink in my Kindle library since 2018. Sigh.
DeleteSamantha Washington (Book store owner series) by Valerie Burns
ReplyDeleteTheo of Golden by Allen Levi,
The Women by Kristin Hannah,
Here We Go: Lessons for Living Fearlessly, by E. Hamby and S. Hazelip( Best friends who celebrate their 80th birthdays by traveling around the world in 80 days.
The Women would have been perfect--I read that one. Will look for the others, thanks
DeleteA friend just recommended Theo of Golden! I just looked it up and it’s 400 pages. (For some reason, the cover made me think it was much shorter. What’s that they say about judging books by their covers….!) — Pat S
DeleteFrom above ^ Also if you can get NPR on your travels I enjoy listening to Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, it’s almost impossible for me to ignore a book with the words: book, library or librarian in the title.
ReplyDeleteIn the stack you posted, I remember reading and loving: The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis.
Once upon a time I travelled with lots of books that I left when finished than took some that were already left by others. Now I travel with my Kindle and only a few paperbacks. Fortunately my Kindle never let me stranded.
My youngest daughter is a huge Barbara Davis fan, and so far everything of hers I've read has been very good, including The Echo of Old Books.
DeleteAny of the Vicki Delany series – light and yet absorbing. You must read each series in order. Julia Chapman’s Dales series with Samson & Delilah – especially if you are walking in England. John will have to be prepared for laughter. Marion Todd – another great author of a crime series – again start from the beginning. If I was in England, I would be perusing their bookshops. They seem to have so many good authors that are not available in Canada – maybe the US is better, but wouldn’t it be fun to come back with a new favourite (and then have an excuse to go back – “sorry John, I need another book…”)
ReplyDeletehe gets that a lot Margo, LOL.
DeleteI spent 3 weeks in New Zealand a year ago - thoroughly enjoyed it. The Great Alone topic and tone is heavier and a bit depressing and I would not consider it a good vacation book. 7 Husbands and Remarkably Bright Creatures are the ones I would take from your stack. I like to find books related to the country I am visiting if possible, maybe Michael Bennett’s new series featuring a Māori detective Better Than Blood.
ReplyDeletethanks for the input. I had downloaded Better than Blood just this week!
DeleteAnony you mentioned Julia Chapman Dales series with Samson & Delilah, I just read there is a TV Adaptation: The series is being developed for television.
ReplyDeleteOops - missed the new Zealand part. Have you read Ngaio Marsh. She wrote mysteries set in New Zealand. You may have to search a 2nd hand bookstore, but I read most of them a while ago and liked them.
ReplyDeleteYes, love Ngaio.
DeleteAn older goodie, Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. A thick one and very good. I think Julia had recommended it a while back. Have a good trip!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteBeach reads: Ellin Hilderbrand The Summer of 69 and Swan Song; the Last Book Club Karen Dukess
ReplyDeleteAnything by William Kent Krueger, Sarah Stewart Taylor's Maggie D'Arcy trilogy about Ireland and her more recent Vermont historical series. I always read the latest Daniel Silva thriller on my tablet on long-haul flights. Ellen Crosby's Sophie Medina books are a satisfying romp.
ReplyDeleteI've read and loved all of Kent's and Sarah's books. Will look at the others!
DeleteTry some authors from down under! Absolutely anything by Sulari Gentill—have you read “the woman in the library” — It is terrific! And Dervla McTiernan, I think my favorite is The Murder Rule. Lots of wonderful authors from that part of the world. Happy happy travels! So exciting—
ReplyDeleteI have two suggestions for you that I read in the past and still think about and recommend. The first is The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella and is about a British officer sent to Italy during WWII and his job is to discourage British soldiers from marrying Italian women. It is much more about food (it will make you hungry) and love in war time. He also wrote Food for Love, which I also enjoyed. The second is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, and is also WWII, about a young French woman trying to have a job in the American Library in Paris in Nazi occupied France. Maybe not as long a book as you are looking for but the story really made me think.
ReplyDeleteI brought about six books from my TBR pile. Started in Portugal, now in Italy, lastly Greece before flying home to Montana. Leaving books in Airbnbs and with friends in Italy. Reading Southern Comfort by Fern Michaels now. My husband read it because he ran out of books. I do like that some bookstores have an English section, too. Also read The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. And lots of cozies! I love my books, so I am mindful if it is a book I want to keep on my bookshelf. Enjoy your trip!!
ReplyDeleteOh Lucy Roberta, I once too all the trade paperback Henning Mankel, the best Nordic Noir ever I think. They are best read in order and none terribly long. He died long before expected, and I still miss his writing. His books are all master class good!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for telling me I’d like The Correspondent. Thumping good read, hard to put down.
so glad you liked The Correspondent! I will look for Henning Mankel
DeleteI have switched almost completely to electronic format. Your story makes me feel better for bringing my iPad - the kindle app wouldn’t malfunction on both it and my phone, right?
ReplyDeleteFor New Zealand I would hit the bookstores there and get authors that aren’t found in the US. I really enjoy reading books set where I’m traveling.
I don't know whether it could malfunction on both!!??
DeleteFrom Celia; it will be a great trip Lucy and I agree one can never have too many books.
ReplyDeleteI recommend a book of mistaken identity by Elizabeth Goudge - Green Dolphin Street set between the Channel Islands and New Zealand. It's historical story. I've loved Goudge's stories since I was introduced to them in high school.
I have also just finished The Loneliness of Sonia and Sonny. Great Language but it's a long read.
Do you do Kindle Unlimited? I'm finding so
many older books that deserve a reread and so
Long as you have WiFi one can return and borrow more.
Hi Celia! I know they are old and old-fashioned, but I'm a staunch Elizabeth Goudge fan: The Dean's Watch, Pilgrim's Inn, The Rosemary Tree, Gentian Hill, plus her wonderful children's book, The Little White Horse.
DeleteThe last really long book I read was Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. Very compelling!
ReplyDeleteI’d say Remarkably Bright Creatures fits your criteria.
ReplyDeleteI take my Nook and one or two paperbacks when I travel. I usually have a puzzle book on standby too.
When driving back to Minnesota from Washington, DC …a 19 hour trip…my Nook malfunctioned. I was getting antsy until we made a pit stop and I could get the book I had bought at the Library of Congress bookstore out of my suitcase. I read that and I was able to do a reset in my Nook and get working again so I was a happy camper for the rest of the trip.
Breaking news! Yay, Edith, you made “may I have a word” this morning! I’ll let you tell all about it —we can call it an approved topic digression! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, Edith, that was me Hank, posting! I forgot to put my name! :-)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely THE GREAT ALONE, and if you haven't read it, THE WOMEN, also by Kristin Hannah.
ReplyDeleteBeen a while since I traveled, but when I did, I took the Kindle for quantity and selected paper or hardbound books for the flights. Seemed a good mix.
Lucy,
ReplyDeleteI don't envy you your travel reading issues.
I guess I could say I avoid having the same issue by the simple fact of me not really traveling. Of course, that's not totally accurate because even when I'm driving around doing errands and such, I have at least one book with me. But that's entirely different than traveling far away for a good length of time.
I don't own an e-reader and never will, so I have to bring physical copies.
Based on the books in the photo you provided, I don't know that there's anything I could recommend that you'd be interested in.
I know author Jon Land used to be king of the mass market paperback in airports but I don't know if you'd like his books like I do. However, if you can find a copy of his book THE WALLS OF JERICHO, that would make a great read. It's about Ben Kamal, a Palestinian detective and Danielle Barnea, an Israeli detective and how they are teamed together to track down a serial killer. It was the first book in a series and I loved it.
The one time I did travel (to Philadelphia for a comic convention), I brought Greg Rucka's A GENTLEMAN'S GAME. It was the first prose novel extension to his Queen & Country comic book series about a MI-6 operative named Tara Chace.
If I was doing any kind of real travel now, I would just grab a paperback or three, depending on how long I was going to be gone, from my overwhelming heap of books waiting to be read.
Jay, Jon Land is new to me and the title you mentioned sounds good and at the library. I see that he writes several series, do you read them all? Marjorie
DeleteMarjorie, I've read all of his fiction work. The Kamal/Barnea series, the Caitlin Strong series, the two books in the National Parks series he co-wrote under the name A.J. Landau and his Blaine McCracken books as well. Oh, and the two books he co-wrote with Heather Graham too. I'm a big fan and have gone to a number of book signings for him.
DeleteThanks Jay I will certainly give him a try. Marjorie
DeleteThe Great Alone is a really well-written book, but I agree with Anon above, too depressing for vacation.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any of Kerry Greenwood's Phrynie Fisher mysteries? They take place in Melbourne, so not too far afield, but they are grand fun, with a heroine as full of derring-do as any I've ever read. There is a great TV series, too. It's a long series, so lots of ongoing tales.
Speaking of Remarkably Bright Creatures, I just saw last night that Sally Field is going to play the woman who cleans the aquarium at night in an upcoming movie. She is perfect for the role.
Hmm, good to know. I'm glad everyone agrees on RBC, so then I'll be able to see the movie!
DeleteAnother fan of RBC here!
DeleteI wouldn't do this normally, and they're not thick, but I wrote 4 mysteries set in rural Burgundy that are focused deeply on the joys and eccentricities of small towns and, of course, food. The latest 2 are available as trade paperbacks, and all are available as e-books.
ReplyDeletethanks Susan!
DeleteI adore Susan's books! Put them on your Kindle so you can read all of them!
DeleteJust finished The Correspondant and loved it! Now reading the Best Offer Wins! Dark, funny @ on point. Went on a cruise with books & kindle and ended up reading on my phone since it was a pain to change & find my kindle. So you can always read kindle books on whatever device you have if on the internet. Picked up Penelope Lively’s “How it all began” at LFL and lived it.
ReplyDeleteI used to travel to the Middle East and Central Asis for work and I liked to read books set wherever I was going. Although not thick books, you might enjoy the Tito Ihaka series by Paul Thomas about a Māori detective. And there is always The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough; although primarily set in Australia, I think it started in New Zealand. Have a fabulous trip!
ReplyDeleteBetween my Kindle and the Kindle app on my phone, I never need to travel with books--and I travel a lot. A Barbara Kingsolver I love, but maybe not long enough for your trip, Roberta, is ANIMAL DREAMS. Have you read Ann Napolitano's HELLO BEAUTIFUL? It's excellent. Or, for something lighter, my favorite Jojo Moyes: ONE PLUS ONE.
ReplyDeleteLUCY: A tall order! Trying to think of a novel that is thick and compelling. Off the top of my head, all I can think of are the James Michener novels. Perhaps Edward Rutherford novels like Sarum? Perhaps Marion Bradley Zimmer's The Mists of Avalon?
ReplyDeleteWhen travelling, I love to bring comfort novels like the Alexander McCall Smith novels with me for long plane travels. If I am travelling to a new place, I like to read the guidebooks (actually review) enroute to my destination. I bring a phrase book if I am not familiar with the language. I learned that it is a good idea to bring my own books because the mini shops at the airports often have books from the ten top best seller list and these are not always books I would like to read.
Once in a while there is a Big bookstore at a major airport where there are more choices available. I have a better chance of finding at least one book that I would want to read.
New Zealand, how exciting, Roberta!! But LONG flights. I usually take at least one paperback and buy one at the airport, and I make sure I have things I want to read already on my Kindle, so I don't have to worry about wifi. I'd again recommend Liz Moore's The Unseen World, as it's available in paperback.
ReplyDeleteAnd since you will be in NZ where all the movies were filmed, how about The Hobbit?
An old one but a favorite that I’ve rereading a couple time, And Ladies of the Club.
ReplyDeleteI laugh when someone asks me what I'm packing for a trip because the first area of choosing is what books to take. I do have a Kindle, and I will try to use it more on the Mediterranean cruise (for 50th anniversary) we just booked (no pun intended?), but I so love the feel of a book in my hands that I will have to take a couple of printed books. It is a nine hour flight to Athens, but I sometimes have trouble reading when flying. But, I've got until August to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteNow, you, Lucy, have to finalize your reading selections soon, so I hope all the suggestions you're getting are helpful. I do agree with those recommending Remarkably Bright Creatures, as I fell in love with an octopus reading it. The book Unlikely Animals sounds really interesting, and I've added it to my reading list. As for books I've loved and would recommend, The Girls by Lori Lansens, Moloka'i by Alan Brennert, and The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. And, since you're going to New Zealand, a real treat would be New Zealand native Catherine Lea's DI Nyree Bradshaw series. The three books in the series thus far are The Water's Dead, Better Left Dead, and The Deeper the Dead. The setting is "New Zealand's beautiful Far North. With its white sand beaches, the crash of waves from the turbulent Tasman Sea, and small rural towns surrounded by Māori land, traditions, and community." Catherine also lives in the North. She will be at Bouchercon this year, and I know she would be delighted to meet you if you are up her way while in New Zealand. She's one of my loveliest friends and a great writer.
One more item. In talking about moving around and doing foot pumps while sitting on a long flight, I have something else I'm going to do on my long flight. It comes from having my knee replacement surgery and me having wonky veins in my legs and having had a PE about seven years ago. I'm taking my cordless, rechargeable calf massagers (one for each leg) to help with circulation. The ones I bought have three different intensity settings. All of them are flat that you wrap around your lower leg, so they are easily packed.