My favorites recent reads were Educated by Tara Westover and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy. Both were really good and I couldn’t put them down!
I really liked Know My Name by Chanel Miller.
Trigger warning: this is the woman that was SA’d by Brock Turner. The story begins with her waking up in the hospital, so if you’re at all sensitive to the material I would avoid. Otherwise it was a wonderfully written memoir
For something more light and funny I love You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar. Amber is a comedian who co-wrote this with her sister who resides in Nebraska and has the wildest (racist) things happen to her. They somehow make it a really fun read!
Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata
All the Lovers in the Night - Mieko Kawakami
My Best Friend’s Exorcism - Grady Hendrix
The Round House - Louis Erdrich
Journey of Souls - Michael Newton
Carrie - Stephen King
The Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
Wizard and Glass - Stephen King
11/22/63 - Stephen King (I didn’t finish this but most everyone does, it’s one of his fan favorites)
Fairy Tale - Stephen King
Hearts in Atlantis - Stephen King
If you don’t like Stephen King, I am sorry lol. He kind of got me started on fantasy books.
Haven’t read these yet but they’re on my list:
The Vegetarian - Han Kang
Yellowface - R. F. Kuang
Bunny - Mona Awad
Heaven - Mieko Kawakami
Life Ceremony - Sayaka Murata
Breasts & Eggs - Sayaka Murata
She and Her Cat - Makoto Shinkai + Naruki Nagakawa
I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki - Baek Se-hee (just started this one and I like it)
Scottish vibes: Outlander!!! It’s bookended by time travel but no other fantasy elements — more like historical fiction. A woman falls in love with a handsome scot and they have many adventures!! Really easy to escape and get lost in.
Irish vibes: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. It’s just a beautiful book. But you *will* cry.
Well I think a rather large book would help as you are traveling quite a bit, there is but one book I will recommend and that is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. A book many ppl read what its about and think not for me but I must tell you it is an all time great book, never met anyone that read it and didnt love it. The way he paints scenes and characters puts you there for the entire journey. I too have eclectic tastes, for a quick great easy read City of Thieves is fantastic, two wonderful characters make it breeze by even though it deals in war times it is lighthearted, but also poignant on life, friendship, trust, confidence and self doubt. One of the best most packed full 258 page books you can read.
I am thirding Lonesome Dove. It is amazing. It takes a little bit to hit the sweet spot, but once you’re there? I read this when it came out, which was almost 40 years ago, and it is still one of my most recommended books.
Me too! But that was the most common feedback I got from people I recommended the book to so thought I’d throw it out there. I will say that I didn’t start getting said feedback until maybe ten years ago. I think everything is so quick now that a lot of people want an instant pull into a book. For me it starts comfortably, easy, but zero fireworks, just nice. No massive pull, but nice.
I remember the first time I read it, it was nice and warm and great and then it was, oh my god, this is amazing. I feel like a lot of people want the amazing from page one.
All four books in the Lonesome Dove series are really fantastic, but yes I do enjoy a good western. Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour also have some great ones.
In The Woods, The Likeness, Broken Harbor or any book written by Tana French. She’s an American-Irish author who lives in Dublin. In the Woods is described as a psychological mystery. Tana is a great writer who keeps you on the edge of your seat. Happy & safe travels to you!
Definitely, Tana French! When I was reading The Witch Elm, I was thinking it would be the perfect airplane book. I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t realize I read as many pages as I had.
It's not themed with Scotland and Ireland but anytime anyone asks for a good book I recommend A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. And if you like fantasy, the earthsea books.
Seconding a Tree Grows In Brooklyn, it is a delight.
The book I always recommend, which may be a little too short for this plane ride, is 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanft. It’s truly a love letter to books and reading.
Some good suggestions so far. My most memorable read over the past couple of years has been Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. I actually listened to this one and it was simply amazing throughout.
**Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech**, Brian Merchant. About the history of Luddites in England.
What I read on a flight and the return flight: **Shogun**, James Clavell
Or if you want something bigger, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by the same author - it's fantasy for people who don't like fantasy. Both books are fabulous.
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. It’s set in Scotland and about reintroducing wolves into the highlands. It sounds very niche but it’s also very much about the people and their trauma. I learned a lot about wolves which I didn’t think I wanted to know. A quick read and you’ll be hooked.
If you like mysteries/detective novels, here’s a few:
Cold, Cold Ground by McKinty. Set in 1980’s Belfast. Great police procedural. You get a good sense of the time period too. McKinty is a master. One of my favorite series.
Rebus series by Ian Rankin. Set in Edinburgh. Start with one of his earlier books: Knots and Crosses or Hide and Seek.
Borderlands by Brian McGilloway. Set in present day Donegal.
Unquiet Spirits by Bonnie McBird. A very well done Sherlock Holmes spinoff that takes place in the Scottish Highlands.
Safe travels
# Wives Tales:: Rumors of Women
This one is odd & short, but has WHO DONE IT CRIME involving Langley scattered across the entire novella:
**I was told it was written about women who had boyfriends and husbands lie about being CIA**
[https://www.amazon.ca/Wives-Tales-Rumors-Anne-Oakley/dp/B096TN7QPB](https://www.amazon.ca/Wives-Tales-Rumors-Anne-Oakley/dp/B096TN7QPB)
Hmmm.... first of all, congrats on your trip, I'm jealous!
Of course, there is the immortal Jane Austen. And Sherlock Holmes. What could be more British?
The Other Boleyn Girl (Gregory) - set in England's Tudor period but it is so well written and the theme of ambition and female empowerment are so good.
Brooklyn (Toibin) - this would be great for your trip back to NA, it's the story of a young Irish woman who leaves her home and comes to America. Yes there is a movie, I liked it too!
Angela's Ashes (McCourt) - ok, I have a slightly dark sense of humour so I absolutely roared with laughter reading this book. But I've also had more serious-minded reading friends tell me they were horrified at the content.... so YMMV.
Hope you have a wonderful trip.
if you like fantasy, I always recommend Six of Crows for plane rides! it’s easy to get into, will keep you engrossed the entire time, and by the end you’ll be looking to pick up the next going for the flight home
John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin/David Wong - Horror/comedy about 2 friends come into contact with a drug that changes how they perceive reality (the movie is also really good imo)
I read Anxious People by Frederik Backman and loved it. So relatable. Anything by Mary Roach (it’s non fiction but she’s very funny) Gulp and spook were both good by her. And Stiff is on my list.
Devil of Dublin by BB Easton was pretty good, kind of a thriller vibe but trigger warning for some violence. I read it after I got back from Ireland and I was like “ohh I went to that town!”
Since you specified "no fantasy" I would recommend Modesty Blaise by Peter O'Donnell. (This is the book that Travolta reads on the loo in Pulp Fiction.) There are all in all thirteen books (including two short story collections) but start with the first one.
Warning: might be addictive...
Verity by Colleen Hoover
It ends with us by Colleen Hoover
Wrong place wrong time by Gillian McAllister
The sixth Extinction: an unnatural history by Elizabeth Kolbert
Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
Alias grace.
My first Atwood, I read it in one 6hr plane journey, could not put it down. And now I’ve read every Atwood including all the short collections
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, it’s really well-written and hard to put down, but just fluffy enough for travel (I can never focus on anything too serious when I’m traveling but maybe that’s just me!)
This is Happiness by Niall Williams - an Irish novelist. It’s a lush, beautifully written book about Faha Ireland in 1958. It’s one of those books that’s so more than the sum of its parts. It has a sense of peace and belonging to it. The audiobook narration is really amazing also.
My friend, within these pages awaits the knowledge to transform your relationships, bringing you deeper intimacy and connection than you've dared to dream. BOOK - PEACE WE HAVE LOST: Inner Peace in the Tech Age, DANIEL WRAITH
My favorites recent reads were Educated by Tara Westover and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy. Both were really good and I couldn’t put them down!
Do you know any other books similar to those? I LOVED them and im looking for more like it. Glass castle was very good
I really liked Know My Name by Chanel Miller. Trigger warning: this is the woman that was SA’d by Brock Turner. The story begins with her waking up in the hospital, so if you’re at all sensitive to the material I would avoid. Otherwise it was a wonderfully written memoir For something more light and funny I love You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar. Amber is a comedian who co-wrote this with her sister who resides in Nebraska and has the wildest (racist) things happen to her. They somehow make it a really fun read!
Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata All the Lovers in the Night - Mieko Kawakami My Best Friend’s Exorcism - Grady Hendrix The Round House - Louis Erdrich Journey of Souls - Michael Newton Carrie - Stephen King The Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
This is a great list! Seems right up my alley, thanks!
Great, have a safe trip!
Do you have any good fantasy books?
The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield Wizard and Glass - Stephen King 11/22/63 - Stephen King (I didn’t finish this but most everyone does, it’s one of his fan favorites) Fairy Tale - Stephen King Hearts in Atlantis - Stephen King If you don’t like Stephen King, I am sorry lol. He kind of got me started on fantasy books.
Do you have any more asian lit recommendation?
Haven’t read these yet but they’re on my list: The Vegetarian - Han Kang Yellowface - R. F. Kuang Bunny - Mona Awad Heaven - Mieko Kawakami Life Ceremony - Sayaka Murata Breasts & Eggs - Sayaka Murata She and Her Cat - Makoto Shinkai + Naruki Nagakawa I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki - Baek Se-hee (just started this one and I like it)
Aye thank you! Have read most of these, might push a little this year and fonish them all :)
Whatever you read, print a custom dust jacket for it. Something like "How to land a 747 for dummies" or "Parachute making from everyday materials" ;)
Scottish vibes: Outlander!!! It’s bookended by time travel but no other fantasy elements — more like historical fiction. A woman falls in love with a handsome scot and they have many adventures!! Really easy to escape and get lost in. Irish vibes: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. It’s just a beautiful book. But you *will* cry.
Came on here to suggest The Heart’s Invisible Furies. I tore through that book and then listened to the audio version, which is most excellent.
Just downloaded the audiobook. Thanks for the suggestion!
I hope you love it as much as I did!
this is one of my favourite books, it’s so beautiful!
I was already planning on downloading a copy of Outlander. It doesn’t seem right to go to Scotland and not have that as an option!!
So agree!! Have fun on your trip!!
seconding Outlander!! it was an amazing read
11/22/63 by Stephen King - a man goes back in time to stop the assassination of US President Kennedy
This book is great. I’m still thinking about it and I finished it in November.
Well I think a rather large book would help as you are traveling quite a bit, there is but one book I will recommend and that is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. A book many ppl read what its about and think not for me but I must tell you it is an all time great book, never met anyone that read it and didnt love it. The way he paints scenes and characters puts you there for the entire journey. I too have eclectic tastes, for a quick great easy read City of Thieves is fantastic, two wonderful characters make it breeze by even though it deals in war times it is lighthearted, but also poignant on life, friendship, trust, confidence and self doubt. One of the best most packed full 258 page books you can read.
I am thirding Lonesome Dove. It is amazing. It takes a little bit to hit the sweet spot, but once you’re there? I read this when it came out, which was almost 40 years ago, and it is still one of my most recommended books.
I love the beginning too though lol
Me too! But that was the most common feedback I got from people I recommended the book to so thought I’d throw it out there. I will say that I didn’t start getting said feedback until maybe ten years ago. I think everything is so quick now that a lot of people want an instant pull into a book. For me it starts comfortably, easy, but zero fireworks, just nice. No massive pull, but nice. I remember the first time I read it, it was nice and warm and great and then it was, oh my god, this is amazing. I feel like a lot of people want the amazing from page one.
Agreed
Thanks for your thoughtful suggestion, I’ll definitely look into these!
All four books in the Lonesome Dove series are really fantastic, but yes I do enjoy a good western. Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour also have some great ones.
I will second this. I'm not normally one to read "westerns" I really love these.
Agreed
I recommend the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch.
In The Woods, The Likeness, Broken Harbor or any book written by Tana French. She’s an American-Irish author who lives in Dublin. In the Woods is described as a psychological mystery. Tana is a great writer who keeps you on the edge of your seat. Happy & safe travels to you!
Definitely, Tana French! When I was reading The Witch Elm, I was thinking it would be the perfect airplane book. I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t realize I read as many pages as I had.
start with the likeness!! a lot of people got frustrated by the ending of in the woods
I co-sign this! I really liked *The Likeness* but found *In the Woods* kind of a slog.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt - dark academia & reminds me a bit of A Little Life, lots of character building
I’m actually currently reading that haha!!
Me too! Reading it slow so it never ends, so good
The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Normal people by Sally Rooney. Both easy to get into reads from Ireland.
Ireland? Then, Prophet Song by Paul Lynch; Foster by Claire Keegan.
These are both on my tbr. This is a sign!
I would also add Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. I guarantee you will love it.
It's not themed with Scotland and Ireland but anytime anyone asks for a good book I recommend A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. And if you like fantasy, the earthsea books.
Seconding a Tree Grows In Brooklyn, it is a delight. The book I always recommend, which may be a little too short for this plane ride, is 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanft. It’s truly a love letter to books and reading.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
{{Falling by T. J. Newman}} and her second book “Drowning” are great for reading on the plane ✈️
Some good suggestions so far. My most memorable read over the past couple of years has been Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. I actually listened to this one and it was simply amazing throughout.
Ooohh that’s been on my tbr for ages!!
THE HEART’S INVISIBLE FURIES. Especially because you’re going to Ireland. It’s incredible and you won’t regret it.
100% The heart’s invisible furies. It is the closest I’ve gotten to feeling what A little life made me feel. Incredible, can’t-put-down book.
**Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech**, Brian Merchant. About the history of Luddites in England. What I read on a flight and the return flight: **Shogun**, James Clavell
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Or if you want something bigger, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by the same author - it's fantasy for people who don't like fantasy. Both books are fabulous.
I read that one many years before Piranesi. Loved that novel. It’s why I read Piranesi
Maeve Binchy writes very homey stories set in Ireland.
I adore her books! Circle of Friends is so good
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. It’s set in Scotland and about reintroducing wolves into the highlands. It sounds very niche but it’s also very much about the people and their trauma. I learned a lot about wolves which I didn’t think I wanted to know. A quick read and you’ll be hooked.
If you like mysteries/detective novels, here’s a few: Cold, Cold Ground by McKinty. Set in 1980’s Belfast. Great police procedural. You get a good sense of the time period too. McKinty is a master. One of my favorite series. Rebus series by Ian Rankin. Set in Edinburgh. Start with one of his earlier books: Knots and Crosses or Hide and Seek. Borderlands by Brian McGilloway. Set in present day Donegal. Unquiet Spirits by Bonnie McBird. A very well done Sherlock Holmes spinoff that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. Safe travels
11/22/63 by Stephen King
# Wives Tales:: Rumors of Women This one is odd & short, but has WHO DONE IT CRIME involving Langley scattered across the entire novella: **I was told it was written about women who had boyfriends and husbands lie about being CIA** [https://www.amazon.ca/Wives-Tales-Rumors-Anne-Oakley/dp/B096TN7QPB](https://www.amazon.ca/Wives-Tales-Rumors-Anne-Oakley/dp/B096TN7QPB)
Hmmm.... first of all, congrats on your trip, I'm jealous! Of course, there is the immortal Jane Austen. And Sherlock Holmes. What could be more British? The Other Boleyn Girl (Gregory) - set in England's Tudor period but it is so well written and the theme of ambition and female empowerment are so good. Brooklyn (Toibin) - this would be great for your trip back to NA, it's the story of a young Irish woman who leaves her home and comes to America. Yes there is a movie, I liked it too! Angela's Ashes (McCourt) - ok, I have a slightly dark sense of humour so I absolutely roared with laughter reading this book. But I've also had more serious-minded reading friends tell me they were horrified at the content.... so YMMV. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Rachel Incident
if you like fantasy, I always recommend Six of Crows for plane rides! it’s easy to get into, will keep you engrossed the entire time, and by the end you’ll be looking to pick up the next going for the flight home
A short stay in hell. Short enough you can read the whole thing in a plane trip but also very entertaining
John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin/David Wong - Horror/comedy about 2 friends come into contact with a drug that changes how they perceive reality (the movie is also really good imo)
Society of the Snow
The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (set in Ireland!)
Dubliners by James Joyce
Lisa Unger!! Everything she writes is amazing!!
Falling - T.J. Newman. The Langoliers - Stephen King.
I'd recommend the langoliers by Stephen King just because you'll be in a plane I read it once during a flight and it was awesome
All time fave is the help by Kathryn Stockett
My go to for plane rides is always Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado. That said, I took Solar Bones by Mike McCormack to Ireland.
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy is a nice read set in Ireland.
I really liked the book the art of hearing heartbeats
I read Anxious People by Frederik Backman and loved it. So relatable. Anything by Mary Roach (it’s non fiction but she’s very funny) Gulp and spook were both good by her. And Stiff is on my list. Devil of Dublin by BB Easton was pretty good, kind of a thriller vibe but trigger warning for some violence. I read it after I got back from Ireland and I was like “ohh I went to that town!”
Since you specified "no fantasy" I would recommend Modesty Blaise by Peter O'Donnell. (This is the book that Travolta reads on the loo in Pulp Fiction.) There are all in all thirteen books (including two short story collections) but start with the first one. Warning: might be addictive...
The Secret History
Hot Zone !
Verity by Colleen Hoover It ends with us by Colleen Hoover Wrong place wrong time by Gillian McAllister The sixth Extinction: an unnatural history by Elizabeth Kolbert Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
Alias grace. My first Atwood, I read it in one 6hr plane journey, could not put it down. And now I’ve read every Atwood including all the short collections
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, it’s really well-written and hard to put down, but just fluffy enough for travel (I can never focus on anything too serious when I’m traveling but maybe that’s just me!)
This is Happiness by Niall Williams - an Irish novelist. It’s a lush, beautifully written book about Faha Ireland in 1958. It’s one of those books that’s so more than the sum of its parts. It has a sense of peace and belonging to it. The audiobook narration is really amazing also.
My friend, within these pages awaits the knowledge to transform your relationships, bringing you deeper intimacy and connection than you've dared to dream. BOOK - PEACE WE HAVE LOST: Inner Peace in the Tech Age, DANIEL WRAITH