I am almost done with the novel I am currently reading and I am facing a cross country plane ride in about 10 days. Plus, I have a Barnes and Noble giftcard to use...
I've been rereading some of the classics but I feel like something new.
So, what is everyone reading these days? What are your favorites?
Make a suggestion for me- PLEASE!

[ January 27, 2003, 10:38 AM: Message edited by: lila997 ]

And to give you an idea of what kinds of stuff I like *glances at bookshelf* here are some past reads that are taking up space there now (I'm leaving out the heavy stuff - it's my vacation )

Naked by David Sedaris
Pope Joan (Donna Woolfolk Cross)
I'm just finishing The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Hours (Michael Cunningham)
I have a few Wally Lamb books up there and almost all of the Patricia Cornwell's
The Pact (Jodi Picoult)
The Red Tent(Anita Diamant)

and lots more...

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is very good. I don't know if you've read it, but it's about a missionary family from Georgia who move to the Congo during turbulent times. One thing I like about this book is that it's written from the point of view of the mother and the four daughters. You get to experience the story from several viewpoints. Also the story is interwoven into actual history which takes the book to another level.

Another book I liked was White Oleander by Janet Fitch. You may have seen the movie with Michelle Pfifer. The book has a lot of forward momentum so it's a fast and interesting read.

I want to read The Hours , I bet that's a good book. I still need to finish The Lovely Bones . Since I read White Oleander so quickly I'm savoring The Lovely Bones. I'm super curious and at the same time I don't want it to end.

Happy flying!

Yes, please... suggest a book so she can read on the flight and I can sleep.

not sure if these are your cup of tea but you
never know...

Smilia's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg

A mysterious death of a young boy at the apartment building Smilia lives at in Denmark.
Smilia has this "sense of snow" & she doesn't think the death was an accident. As she investigates- or tries
to investigate- the death, more mysterious incidents occur.
The book also details her childhood in Greenland
and there's a running theme of broken families throughout the novel. It was made into a half-way
decent, cult-folling sleeper-type movie a few years back. Great book, cuz.

A Trip to the Stars by Nicholas Christopher

Here's something really different. It begins with the mysterious disappearance (kidnapping?) of a young boy from his aunt as they visit an observatory in NYC in 1965. Thereafter the story
revolves around the lives of the boy and his aunt
seperately. But there are subplots and plots layered upon mini-plots- vampires, astronauts,
Atlantis- and it all works & ties togather extremely well. Let's see 'em make a movie from this one! Happy reading...

[ January 27, 2003, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: xenacrazed ]

I've just finished another Sedaris, which might be just the thing for a bit of lightweight reading. 'Me Talk Pretty One Day'.

Or how about a bit of British black comedy?
Ben Elton's (Blackadder) latest one's an excellent satire on the 'Big Brother' craze.
Ben Elton
"Dead Famous"

My current personal fav's a rather quirky detective story set in an alternative 1985. Starring: Ms Thursday Next, Literary Detective, hot on the trail of Acheron Hades, villainous genius and kidnapper of characters from works of fiction and holding them to ransom.
It's truely wonderfully written stuff. Was a fan after 20 pages already.
Jasper Fforde (no typo)
"The Eyre Affair"

There's a second one out already, called "Lost In A Good Book."


The Xenatizer

[ January 27, 2003, 10:49 PM: Message edited by: The Xenatizer ]

Alice Sebold does have another book in stores Lucky I've not read it thought, so I'm sorry I can't provide you with any info.

Jodi Piocult has a TON of other books out there, and they are fairly popular.

Timeline by Michael Chricton is AWESOME and it just came out in paperback, so it wouldn't take up at much room as the hardcover.

My ultimate favorite books are by Janet Evanovich. They're these fun mysteries, with many bits of sex, lol. Janet's writing is great, and her main character, Stepahnie Plum, is wonderful. Stephanie is a bounty hunter for her cousin, Vinnie's, bail-bonds service. It goes through how she catches the people, with a wacky array of sidekicks, and how she adjusts to being a female bounty hunter. There's lots of romance and sexual frustration, lol, so be prepared. There are currently 8 books in the actual series (the 9th comes out in June, I beleive) and another holdiay book with the same characters. I DEFINATELY recommend these books. Everyone I know who's read them has loved them. They're not going to be the "great american novel" but they're a HELL of a lot of fun. The first one is called One for the Money Go, read it.

[ January 27, 2003, 11:04 PM: Message edited by: Frozen in Iowa ]

One to make you laugh:
Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

A VERY thick book. Got mad at my friend for recommending such a long read. Couldn't put it down. Gave my friend a big hug for suggesting such an excellent read for me!

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Easy yet interesting reading. Memorable characters. Modern day living intertwined with the past. How generations interact. Hilarious dialogue.

I'll stop at two -- sounds like you've got a lot of recommendations to sift through!

You guys are AWESOME! Great suggestions!

Chiana I read Kingsolver's Animal Dreams years ago and enjoyed it. I'd forgotten about her, I should look into your suggestion. And I gave White Oleander to a friend for Christmas last year. I should borrow it back and read it myself!

xc - I've caught parts of the film Smila's Sense of Snow on cable. Now I think I may need to read the book- it's sounds really good.

Xenatizer- Dead Famous sounds like fun. And Me Talk Pretty ... is on my list to purchase if it's in softcover. I like Sedaris.

Jubilee- I like the way you think! Softcover=more room in suitcase. To me that means room for an extra pair of shoes. This is a good thing. BTW, did you know that they they made a Lifetime Network movie out of The Pact. It starred Megan Mulally. Errr...no. Some things were meant to be read.

le- you've got great taste! Love the Ya-Yas!!!

Argy - Right after I read your post a coworker put 2 books on my desk for me to borrow (she also knows my state of booklessness). The top book was Atwood's The Haidmaid's Tale. I think it's a sign from the gods-lol!

Anyway, thanks everyone!I can't WAIT to go to the bookstore. This gift certificate is burning a hole in my pocket!

And keep the suggestions coming! I'm always looking for a new read. And this is a fun thread!

[ January 28, 2003, 07:53 PM: Message edited by: lila997 ]

Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman. It's a comedy about the coming of the apocalyps and very funny.

Sarum by Edward Rutherford, is also very good....it's huge, but interesting, a historical fiction beginning about 10,000 years ago and ending in the 1980s. Each chapter begins in a different time with new characters.

This thread's great, I just put a bunch of the titles on hold. ^_^

X'tizer:
i just listened to Sedaris's Naked on tape on a road trip this weekend--read by he and his sister Amy (a truly deranged soul, i fear...). great fun.

a regular holiday event for us is a trip to the one man show a local actor does of The Santaland Diaries. he pegs the Billie Holiday doing "Away in a Manger" perfectly...

I just got a $100 book gift voucher myself, today, so keep those suggestions coming!

HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY trilogy by Douglas Adam's......you'll laugh the whole way.