English language novels / books

It can be tough. There are English-language sections of bookshops in many cities - RS usually lists them. Often, budget hotels have some books left by previous guests and I feel OK about leaving one I've read in return for one I haven't.

You know the tour groups that are constantly clogging the entrances to museums and churches? If you spot Americans, ask if anyone has books to swap. Irish bars are another likely place to swap books.

If you're near a college/university town, try their bookstore. Many will have English books there.

I read a lot when I am traveling and need a fresh book every day or two. I often find books available for trade at my hotels or B&Bs. I have found books at internet cafes for trades, at libraries for 50 cents to a dollar (used), or by trading with other travelers. Sometimes I buy a magazine; the Economist or National Geographic will be good for several days of reading. Some bookstores have inexpensive used books.

If you want to splurge on something for yourself that would be great for a trip of this length (and future trips), I'd recommend the Kindle from Amazon. Weighs just 10 ounces and holds over 200 titles, plus you have access to U.S. and International newspapers.

It isn't like an iPod where you would download audio books (another option, but not the same for an avid reader). Check Amazon.com for details on the Kindle.

Popular new books printed in the English language are for sale in big train stations in Europe. I think it is mostly hard-cover books, at high prices. As other repliers said, used books are available at many B & Bs in Europe. The books are on racks or shelves in a hallway. Usually the B & B manager will say you can take a book, for free. The books are likely to be paperback fiction, but at some places the B & B owner donated some of his/her books: it could be anything : an obscure old book written by Peter Ustinov, or a book that is a treatise on economic theory, ...

Thank you all for the information. Love this website! The Kindle looks like a great option. Happy travels to all.

Sandy, I was looking for a paperback for the plane home, and found a few authors that had new paperbacks out that I'd been waiting to buy. The price was about 12 euros. If I'd wanted to spend $20 on a book, I'd have bought the hardback a year ago. Maybe this was just the airport price.

http://www.bookstoreguide.org/2007/10/british-bookshop-vienna.html

Hi Sandy,
... copy + paste the link into your Internet address box. It has shops in Vienna and many other cities.
... There's a novel about Gustav Klimt and Emilie Flöge entitled THE PAINTED KISS, I recently read and recommend (it's by Elizabeth Hickey and is written in English)...
... Hope your trip is terrific! P

Who has time to read novels while traveling? If I have any quiet time, I read up on the places I am visiting or watch local TV (can be information/amusing/etc.) I am in Europe to see, hear, feel Europe not be transported to some fantasy fiction world! I don't even read on planes. I watch a film if there is anything decent (Virgin offers scads of chices) or fall asleep. Also I usually work on my expenses and customs declaration and travel diary while everything is fresh in my mind.

Now at home, I probably go through a book every 2 days but traveling......I'm there for the experience not to be removed from it!!!

Hey, now, don't be dissing those of us who want to read a little on a trip! As a kid, I used to walk home from the library reading my new book-I wouldn't do that on a trip. But there's nothing wrong with something to help you unwind before bed, to keep the impatience down in an airport, or to make you feel a little more comfortable sitting alone in a cafe. There's another thread going about "mood" novels, so I don't think we really want to transport ourselves from Paris to New York via reading. However, the good habit of reading is hard to break.

We must disagree w Maryann, who says that Europe itself takes all your time. It consumes us and delights us but there are such things as rest days, rainy ones,sick days and days when you are stuck in someplace that doesnt offer much to do. Then there are the nights after a long day. National Geos are great, even when in French or Italian or Spanish, bcuz the formula for articles is the same. Papers like Internat Herald Tribune and Financial Times are common. Many travelers leave books at B&Bs,small hotels and hostels. English books can be hard to come by and EngLang TV is spotty.
You should have no problems in your first 4 cities (Kinsale is Eng-speaking anyway) but, altho it is harder, there shouldnt be too many difficulties in the latter group either. In Salzburg, if you can stand it, the TVs do "Sound of Music" in English, 24 hrs a day every day!!!

The Lonely Planet guides list different English language/expat bookstores than Rick Steves. Finding reading material was a point of concern for us as well. I need reading material while my kids are doing teenager stuff, and in 3 weeks I need a little downtime to process all the excitement.