Can you recommend a good book that should take on holiday?

Question

I love books about other cultures, historical people, books that make you think a bit (I'm not really into chick lit). Anyone read anything amazing recently?

Answer 1

If you like books about other cultures, I would strongly recommend Hokkaido Highway Blues by Will Ferguson. It's the writer's story of hitch-hiking across Japan following the cherry blossom front. He's been compared to Bill Bryson, and the book contains a wealth of information about modern Japan and the Japanese, from religion and history, to love hotels and sumo. It's also laugh-out-loud funny - I received a lot of strange looks when I made the mistake of reading it on a train!

Answer 2

The Character of Rain-Amelie Nothcomb
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt-Aimee Bender
White Teeth-Zadie Smith
all fiction, all incredible and not chick lit at all


Underground-Haruki Murakami--I love all of Murakami's books that I've read (so I recommend them, too), but this one is really interesting, and different for him, b/c its a non fiction one. He interviews people who were on the subways in Japan in 1996 when there were the sarin gas attacks--also interviews some of the people involved in executing the attack. Really insightful about modern Japanese culture and so well written.

Answer 3

If you like historical novels try Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. A Beautifully written book about wizards in regency Britain. I know that doesn't sound too promising but it is very worth it. It's not going to be found on the Sci-Fi shelves. It's also a good lenght for a holiday.
Enjoy!

Answer 4

Try Victor Papaneks'- Design for the Real World. A thought provoking look into the way that all consumer goods are designed, from conception to realisation, with some starltaling predictions that were scoffed at its release in1983, but have since come true (Chinas' global dominance of manufacturing, energy crisises' etc.)

Not a heavy read but will leave you looking at the world though a different set of glasses!

Answer 5

From your comments this is not really what you asked for but 'The Wrong Boy' by Willy Russell is an excellent book. It is written in a strange style with most chapters starting with a letter to Morrisey written by the main character- takes a bit of getting used to - but this allows you to know what he is thinking. Willy Russell has you laughing one minute then crying the next.
If you take it I hope you enjoy.

I also agree with the person who sent your first answer. Bill Bryson writes some extremely witty and informative books. My personal favourite is 'Neither Here Nor There'

Answer 6

I've just finished Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon. It was amazing, It starts off in the early 19th century about a young scotsman who goes to South Africe for the diamond ruch and follows right through to the present about how his company became one opf the biggest multinationals, with loads of sub plots including murder, deceit (some shocking), madness, etc. It's very intriguing and highly recommended

Answer 7

If you fancy a change read the Bill Bryson travel books. They are funny and you get a feel for the places that he visits. Notes from a Small Country is good and the ones based in America.

Answer 8

I would suggest the Bible, it is a book for all seasons, and all life's
situations are dealt with. it has romance, adventure, mystery,and
spiritual truths. It is the worlds best selling title, it`s Author ls the master of mystery and Intrique, plus, no other book lives in the readers mind, it is never stale reading,It is forever up to date,
get into it. You have probably been meaning to read it one day anyway, right?
God Bless, enjoy your holiday.

Answer 9

The Silver Castle by Clive James about a street child in India striveing to reach his silver castle. It's a fantastic book about the lifestyle of different classes in India and a bit of a tear jerker.

Or Thai Die by Greg Fleet about an Australian comics experiances of Thailand funny and a little frightning

A couple of links about them for you below.

Answer 10

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts! This is an uncompromising story of a fugitive - Roberts himself - on the run in Bombay, India; a man who sets up a free clinic in a third world slum, works for the biggest Don in the Bombay Mafia, works as a money launderer and street soldier, heads straight into Russian guns in the mountains of Afghanistan, and earns the name insightfully given him by his best friend's mother - "Shantaram", or man of peace. (around 900 pages, so depends on how quickly you read or how long your holiday is!)