books to take on holiday

[eleanor2]

as you all have gathered i am off on a quiet relaxing holiday soon.this is not a tour holiday but a relaxing round the pool sort of time.i am going to take two books to read.i fancy a good historical romance.i have some books in and i am to mingy to buy more untill i have read them.not sure which ones i will pick.what sort of books do you take on your holidays.or are you a magazine person.i will actually take two magazines too.am off out today to get some.

[Crocus]

Hi Eleanor, I try to take some relaxing books actually. Give the old brain off kind of:D

[Gentian]

They say get into a good book before you go. I like those that roll along when on holiday, sort of grown up Enid Blyton types.

[Crocus]

I'm reading quite a relaxing book at the moment by Katie Fforde - Artistic Licence. Bought it a second hand bookshop when my sis visited.

[tangerine]

When ever me and the husband go on holiday (which is mainly camping) I take books to read to him, he's only ever read about 5 books in his life!!!! Last time it was watership down, and the woodlanders. I had him in tears with both. But for you eleanor i'd pick something lovely and relaxing maybe something by joanne harris like chocolat, have a browse in a few charity shops.

[eleanor2]

hi ladies.i do need a relaxing book.no sadness or weeping.a bit of romance,history,old buildings etc.tangerine i have chocolat in my to read pile so will take that.did go in one charity shop but then got carried away shopping and forgot.i might take a wilbur smith.he tells some great stories of Egypt and Africa.have read all his egyptian ones.i do have a few others.i have a miss read one.but thought that suits France more than Egypt .I think Egypt suits a bit of drama.gentian i actually still read a famous 5 now and again.

[dinger]

I am at present reading books by Dilly Court and am loving every page . A good read Eleanor if you can find any in the charity shop.

[eleanor2]

hi dinger i have never seen this author.will look out for her.i think its to late for any more charity shop excursions before i go.so i am settling for chocolat and a wilbur smith ....i think.

[dinger]

Yes remember her name Eleanor I am sure you would enjoy reading her books.

[franbee]

I presume you've read Maeve Binchy's?

[eleanor2]

hi Fran i have read loads of maeve binchys.did she do one in Egypt,if so i havnt heard of it.

[eleanor2]

i have found the perfect book.on my bookshelf too.Rameses the son of light by christian jaqu.first in a series. a novel love story incorporating all the history.fantastic wow i will really get into the spirit of Egypt.

[souter girl]

I have just finished Virgin Earth by Phillippa Gregory and it is fascinating also The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - brilliant!

[eleanor2]

souter i have seen some philipa gregory books.i havnt bought any because i dont know her way of writing.is she good.did she write the boleyn girl.i love historical romance.does she write finction around actual history.

[souter girl]

Virgin Earth is about John Tradescant and set at the time of Charles I's execution. It follows the history closely as far as I can tell and of course he was a real person. I liked it better than The Other Boleyn Girl.

[eleanor2]

hi souter yes that is the book meant.the other boleyn girl.i havnt yet read a philippa gregory book but will get round to it.now this Ramesis book was written by the top french egyptologist of the day.it was unputdownable.have to get to the library for book 2.there are five in the series.it was so funny all the herbs mentioned in the book from ancient Egyptian times are still used today.hibiscus tea is still drunk as friends sit together and chat at the end of the day.the book really put me into the spirit of the country.

[Pippa]

Here are my suggestions for holiday reading, Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, both set around the second world war, fiction but both good reads and set in France and Guernsey. Footprints in the Sand, Sarah Challis is set in the Sahara, I thought it brought the dessert to life, good descriptions and One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson, a good thriller with a high body count. Give them a try.

[Crocus]

...with a high body count .... wow Pippa, it sounds rather scary .......:eek: x

[jazzactivist]

Hi eleanor. I think that one of the best things about going on holiday is choosing which books to read! I usually take 3, and also enjoy looking out for bookshops when I am there. Sometimes it is possible to buy European or American versions of books on release in the UK, which can be quite an interesting comparison. On holiday I prefer to read a book set in the place that I am in, if possible, and that is quite a dense read. The sort of book that I always say I want to read but never quite get round to.

I am not a big fan of historical novels or romances, but I have read all of Philippa Gregory's books and really enjoyed them. They have a cracking storyline, loads of historical facts, and some gritty twists and turns. I also recently read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters which is about a woman thief and is set in Victorian London. It is a stunning story of double bluff that left me gasping at all the twists. I couldn't put it down. I am currently reading the book Q and A by Vikas Swarup, which gave rise to the film Slumdog Millionaire. Again, I am struggling to put it down. Whatever you choose, I am sure that you will enjoy it.

I am not sure if people know that it is possible to use your library tickets if you go to another place in the UK on your hols. When I was a child and my family went on holiday for two weeks, we would take books from our local library for the first week and then go to the local library in our nearest holiday town for the second week. All of the books could be returned to whichever library was nearest. This trip to a different library was one of the highlights of our holiday! Our local library told me that some people still do this.

[Crocus]

I quite like Philippa Gregory's books because as you say Jazz, it's history and storyline all into one. I haven't read all her books though. Someone who's books I also enjoy, but it's quite light reads, are Katie Fforde. Not heavy storylines or anything like that, just very relaxing, especially for when on holiday. Strangely enough I can't concentrate on a difficult book whilst on holiday, it seems my brain's on leave as well!

The book you mentioned about Sarah Waters sound very interesting. I must go to the library tomorrow and will have a look. x

[eleanor2]

pipa that footsteps in the sands sounds good for Egypt..as jazz says i like to read a book of the country i am in so next its books for France..........................like you crocus i like a good easy entertaining read. definately not morbib i cry easy.

[Crocus]

Hi Eleanor, I love to read complex and difficult stuff as well, but not on holiday. Then I want to relax and just about keep my brain busy so for it not to come to a complete standstill! xx

[eleanor2]

yes crocus i know what you mean.i make sure all holiday reading is low key entertainment.the thought of a sad story or something...no. holidays are just that a break from everything stressfull.

[souter girl]

Jodi Picoult "19 Minutes" - just finished this it's about a High School shooting in the USA and was absolutely gripping! Makes you think about the mothers' point of view and the torture some kids go through at school at the hands of bullies along with the agony of trying to fit in. Not a gruesome read, but a real page-turner.

[eleanor2]

souter sounds a good book for looking at life of today.but the sort of book that would upset me.i'm afraid at the moment when i read i like a bit of escapism.