Hello,
I'm rarely without a book. I'm wondering, what's been your favorite read, where did you read it, and why was it so engaging?
I'm looking for ideas for something to read while in Italy and I have perused the site and others for ideas, but I'd like to hear from YOU.
Oh, and it doesn't have to be a book about or set in Italy. I'm planning other trips too...
Thanks!
When I was in Peru last year, I finished my paperbook and was without reading material. I went on the hunt for interesting novels printed in English (not an easy find) and discovered Isabelle Allende, a Peruvian-born, Chilean novelist. Since the books were english editions, I paid a bit more for them, but at that point was happy to have something to read. Looking for decent paperbacks on the hostel/hotel shelves didn't yield anything promising but this may be different in Europe. Short of looking locally for English books I can't help you in the Italy department.
For my 2 month journey through Europe this spring, I need a veritable library with me for that long, so I bought audio books, downloaded them onto my iPod and now I have hours and hours of 'audio reading'.
If you really want a review of interesting reads message me personally and I'll make some recommendations :) Happy Travels
Your question is so generalized that I'm not surprised there are no responses. I mean, people have such differing tastes in books that it's pretty much impossible to recommend a specific book to someone without some idea as to that person's interests.
Like, what kind of books do you like? Mystery stories, historical novels, serious stuff, light reading? Or, do you prefer non-fiction?
I would second the recommendation of Isabel Allende, if you like serious Latin American fiction.
Also, the most read novel of all time in this category is "Cien Anos de Soledad" ("One Hundred Years of Solitude") by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Highly recommended, in either Spanish or English.
But if it WERE set in Italy ... I have to put in a word here for the excellent detective fiction of Donna Leon, whose Commissario Brunetti series is set in Venice. They're great reads - she's really more in the Detective Literature category - and Venice comes alive!
I read anything, that's why I didn't specify a particular interest. I read reviews of books and add them to my list. I'm like this with music, books, and movies.
So, anything and everything.
I think a good discussion here hasn't been had in a while and I thought I'd start one.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is out in paper; powerful story of the bond between man and dogs. The Help isn't out in paper yet, but it's a riveting look at Mississippi 1962/63 from the point of view of the "help". The Thirteenth Tale is a good mystery set in England.
Italy non-fiction: Brunelleschi's Dome, A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome, City of Falling Angels
Italy fition: A Thread of Grace, The Passion of Artemesia, The Glassblower of Murano, leonardo's Swans
If you need authors, PM me. How about giving all of us on the site some of your fav recent reads?
Here are some books that my book club really enjoyed.....The Forest Lover....The Help....Sarah's Key.....Those Who Save Us.....The Art of Racing in the Rain.....The Book Thief.....The Air Between Us....The Gernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society...The Double Bind.....Still Alice.......The Thirteenth Tale.
I second the Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society.
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, set in Botswana with a quirky women PI
The Stieg Larsson trilogy 1. The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo 2. The Girl who played with fire 3. The Girl who kicked the Hornet's Nest. These amazing thrillers are THE bestsellers in Europe. You can get UK editions in PB. There is a reason to buy books in Europe! In Northamerica only the first two are available and both only in HC. If you have a layover in a bigger airport like Heathrow, Schiphol or Frankfurt you will find them in English PB at a bookstore with no problem.
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - semiautobiographical story about an Australian in India
The last friend by Tahar Ben Jelloun - a friendship between two men in Tangier, Algeria (
De Niro's Game by Rawi Hage - two young men in Beirut during the civil war (IMPACT winner)
My Year in France by Julia Child - much better than Julie Powell's book. Beautiful atmosphere of postwar France
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - the "EAT" part is set in Italy of course ;-)
Water for Elephants by Sara Grun - beautiful storytelling about people in a circus during the Great Depression - not depressing at all
Small World by Martin Suter - I discovered this Swiss author during a trip to Switzerland. He writes very interesting psychological thrillers. English translations are hard to come by but it's well worth the hunt
Kismet by Jakob Arjouni - he's one of Germany's biggest crime authors hugely successful with PI "Kayankaya", a German-born Turk who looks Turkish, has a Turkish name but doesn't speak a word of Turkish and has no idea of Turkish culture. This book was translated by Anthea Bell, famous for her Asterix translations, and because of her the humour did not get lost in translation
I also read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak in an online book discussion group with participation of the translator for the German edition (I read the English edition). I did enjoy some of the different perspectives even if nothing else was really new. Yet another story set in Nazi Germany and I've read dozens of those over the years.
BUT the original version has some glaring factual historical errors that almost made me stop reading the book alltogether. If you can do read the German translation instead. This is the only case I've ever recommended a translation over the original. I had some interesting discussions with the translator who had worked with the editor to correct some of these errors before it was released for the German market.
Okay, this one is only available in German but the topic really fits:
Pauschaltourist by Tom Liehr
It's the story of two journalists who travel to some typical tourist destinations that are very popular for Germans who book cheap AI tours to places like Mallorca, Portugal or Gran Canaria. Very funny. Here is a trailer that doesn't need any language at all:
I wholeheartedly second Beatrix's recommendation of Steig Larsson's "Millenium" trilogy. I've read all three books in the trilogy and can't recommend them highly enough.
Oh yes, I read Robert Harris' Pompeii while staying in the Sorrento area and had it half finished by the time we toured the site. That was great because I could actually ask the tour guide some questions that came from my reading and then looking at the site.
Pompeii, by Robert Harris, would be fun to read in Italy.
Lois McMaster Bujold - the Vorkosigan Saga, about 10-12 books total. Most are now available in 4 omnibus editions.
These books are set in a place you will never travel to - it's a science fiction series set on other planets. But, they are by a female author who writes incredibly well on subjects such as women's roles in a patriarchal/military society, lead characters who happen to have physical disabilities, and the creation and maintenance of strong, supportive emotional relationships. All while tearing along through fast-paced action and space battles. She also has two great fantasy series that thoughtfully discuss alternate religions and their impact on daily lives of the characters.
Read them, and anything else she writes. I'm pretty sure I own every word she's ever published. My copies are wearing out, I'm hoping to get them in e-book format as soon as I figure out which platform I want (Kindle or iPad)
If you haven't read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett by all means consider it. You will never look at an ancient building or cathedral without thinking of the book and the work involved. In addition it is a very readable book. In my opinion, everyone who travels to Europe should read this book.
I wouldn't recommend The Story of Edgar Sawtelle to anyone. It is very depressing.
Gasp! I loved Edgar Sawtelle!
Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series.
Time-travel from 1940's back to 1700's Scotland.
Gary Jennings- "The Journeyer"
Fictional adventures of Marco Polo
(rated M-mature, for sex and violence)
For Italy, Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons."
For Spain, James Michener's "Iberia" or any of the "Alatriste" series by Arturo Perez-Reverte for Spain in the 16th century.
For a sweeping pre-history history of Europe, any of the "Earth's Children" series by Jean Auel.
Another vote for Edgar Sawtelle!
My niece just told me The Help is coming out in paper end of April/first of May.
The Help is my new favorite book. Four generations in my family, from my 92 year old grandmother to my 17 year old daughter, read and LOVED it. Also, Susan Isaacs has a few really good, not too sappy, well-plotted romantic novels: "Almost Paradise" and "Shining Through". The latter was made into a terrible movie. The book is much better.
Dear fellow Minnesotan: another wonderful series to read while in Italy is the Inspector Montalbano mysteries set in Sicily. They are written by a Sicilian (Andrea Camilleri)and I love the insights on Sicilian culture.
I'd recommend getting an ereader...taking a bunch of books, and lightening your load. I just bought the Nook (well my hubby got it for me for Valentine's Day)
I have read several of Charlaine Harris' books...the Sookie Stackhouse series, and Harper Connelly series of books.
On my Nook now: The Help (reading it, very, very good) The Lost Symbol, Dracula, Alice in Wonderland, Committed, Sarah's Key and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I go to Barnes and Noble website and save books on my "ewishlist" for future...based on what I read in this post, there are a few I will add! When I'm ready for another book, I just download and I'm ready to go...no shopping around the bookstore. Heck, I can shop on my Nook when I need too - they have recommendations as well.
I absolutely LOVE my Nook! The battery lasts for 10 days (in airplane mode) and I can replace it. I love the color screen on the bottom, as I am visual, and do sometimes judge a book by it's cover!
If you plan on travel, this is a great way to go. I'm tired of spending money on books and dragging 4-5 around on a trip, only to leave them behind so I have room in my backpack on the way home.
Great suggestions, thank you. I'm surprised at how many I've already read. The Help was one of last year's favorites!
Has anyone tackled Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome by Steven Saylor?
It looks a little heavy for vacation, but thought I'd see if anyone has read it.
Also Death in La Fenice? Anyone read that one (or the series)?
Prior to my trip to Europe last year I got a few books based on the areas I was visiting that I began reading prior to leave and while there - including Venice. I read A Thousand Days in Venice: An Unexpected Romance and A Venetian Affair: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in the 18th Century. The first book I read and then passed on to my boyfriend's mother who quickly read it. The first one is romantic and lovely and the second is more historical but brought Venice a bit more to life for me since it describes the buildings, etc.
Ali, I read both those books set in Venice as well. I found "A Venetian Affair" absolutely mesmerizing. It is the true story of an Italian author who inherited a box of centuries old water-damaged love letters from a great, great wealthy Venetian grandfather which had to be meticulously restored in order to be legible. He then found that a matching set of letters from his grandfather's lover existed in a museum, so he was able to piece together the true story of the torrid love affair that took place in 1700s Venice. I couldn't put this book down! Author Andrea di Robilant created a amazingly vivid, haunting image of 18th century Venice.
Oh, while in Germany I read Tracy Chevalier's The Virgin Blue which is set in Southern France. Enjoyed it very much.
The movie Julie and Julia is based on two books:
Julie and Julia - by Julie Powell
My life in France - by Julia Child
The movie combines those two story lines, though Julie and Julia never meet of course. I watched the movie with my teenage daughter and we really liked it, especially the scenes with Meryll Streep as Julia Child. I tried to read Julie Powell's book but couldn't stand it and gave up half-way through.
Thanks, Kent.
I love the entire Donna Leon series because of the insight they give on what living (not just visiting) in Venice is like. In addition Guido and his family are wonderful characters.
