Suggestions please

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For the first time in ten years, when we were in Australia and New Zealand, Di and I are going away for a holiday that is more than a long weekend.

We shall fly to Lanzarote on Friday and have 10 days there.
The flight is 4+ hours each way, so I am looking for recommendations please for 'books' I can download to my Kindle.

I have loaded up all the 'Sussex Border' stories, but, allowing my stupid side to take over, I have now read them all!

They do NOT have to be along the themes this site is 'famous' for; I like mysteries/action/sweet and sentimental/ and even interesting biographies.

Please help me choose!

Thanks in advance

Julia.

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Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti mysteries are very good. The books are as much about his relationships with his family and co-workers, food, and Venice as they are about solving crimes. They are a favorite of Cathy Watts/Cameron.
I like the early Elizabeth George Thomas Lynley Mysteries. As the books go on, some of the characters become annoying to some extent as they never seem to learn from their previous mistakes. I've only read a couple of them since she killed off my favorite character (but that's 10 or so very thick books into the series).
I really liked Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels (read the series twice). There's lots of sailing ship terms that almost force you to learn a bit about sailing ships or get good at reading through the jargon until you pick it up. They are great adventures and the inter play between Steven Maturin and Jack Aubrey is wonderful. I'd start from the beginning, but you can pick one up and read it on it's own as each book tends to be a complete story. The author often changes things a bit from one book to the next to get the boys in some trouble at the start of the new book.

Aubrey-Maturin

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I concur on this selection. This series which takes place starting in 1801 has a total of 20 completed books and one incomplete book. Fortunately, book 20 ends at a logical place so that book 21 is not missed. I also enjoy the books from David Weber's Honorverse. His Safehold series is also quite good (and technically even has a TG-theme to it).

I am so thankful for your suggestions.

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When I was younger, I had a pilot's licence, a helicopter pilot's licence and something called a Yachtmaster's Certificate - so the sailing terms are actually second nature! I thoroughly enjoyed Patrick O'B's series. And most of the Elizabeth George's. Something in the later ones gave me an uneasy feeling though, and I am left with a slight distaste in my 'mouth' after those.
I have read some of the Donna Leons - mostly in German, so they are associated in my mind with a bit of hard work to read - I shall try some in Engliah now, now that I have actually analysed my thoughts and feelings.
Thanks for taking the time
Julia

Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder stories, et al.

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erin's picture

There are 17 novels and a book or two of short stories featuring Block's detective. Some of them are quite intense, some are a bit light-hearted. They recently made one of them into a movie starring Liam Neeson. They all feature some of the best mystery writing ever by Block. I'm re-reading the series myself right now.

I reread the Aubrey/Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian over the summer and in the fall, I reread all of the mainline of stories in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series during the fall. I can recommend both of those, too.

As for non-fiction, I tend toward science popularization books if they have enough meat to them.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Thanks for your time in commenting

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Patrick O'Brian books were included in my big toss out of dead-tree formats. I had to dump 3000+ books since there is no market here in Switzerland for English Books that are more than a year old, or might be less than perfect in binding/covering. I couldn't afford the fees/fares/fuel to drive them to England so it broke my heart when I had to take them to the dump.
Your other suggestions, I shall investigate given that I have some 16 hours before departure now, and I am uncertain of WiFi availability at our destination.
Thanks again.
Julia

kindle books

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I like c l stone. books geared toward young adult but I found them very interesting. I also enjoy stories about amish people. have a great vacation.
robert

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Thanks all

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Thank you all for your help.

Now - how much has my credit card left in it?

See you all in 2 weeks,

I am...

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well, touched!

Have you tried Tom Holt's 'Flying Dutch'?

Checking it out now

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since your word carries a lot of weight in my view!
Thanks for the mention.
Julia

Due to copyright lapse you can get hold of most old books,

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as in, 100 years plus, for free, including a necessary inclusion for ANY mystery fan, the complete works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and most all of Edgar Allan Poe as well. Even Jane Austen's work is free, so go grab a copy of Pride and Prejudice, one of the greatest books ever. I also managed to find for free on Amazon a copy of The King in Yellow, which is supposed to be a must-read for anyone who enjoys Lovecraft and the like. The array of quality literature that can be grabbed without spending a penny is quite staggering, and I've got probably fifty books on my phone or more without spending more than maybe twenty bucks, over half of which was on the first two Terry Pratchett books.

Also, Jenn C. has a free .pdf of her great book "A Turn of the Cards" here on BC, if you DO want something TG-based.

As for paid books? Douglass Adams, Terry Pratchett, Nora Roberts. Those are the only three names you really need. Nora is a bit of a surprise, because while she started off as a romance author, and still does them, she's also expanded into mysteries and crime dramas and everything else, especially with her second handle J.D. Robb.

Melanie E.

Indeed, you speak with an UNforked tongue (*grin*)

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I have had every Douglas Adams in dead-tree format, but sadly I had to junk every one of my 3000+ books.
Terry Pratchett books took up a large swathe of those I tossed.
I did keep one, however, and that was 'Nation' - arguably his best ever book.
Nora and J.D.R also formed a large part of my ex-collection.
Those others you mention are definite maybes - a little investigation to be undergone first.
I appreciate the time you have spent answering - thank you ever so much.
Julia.

What an excellent idea

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Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is truly appreciated.
And I will take you up on this idea.
Ta muchly
Julia

So many and so little time

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Not knowing your reading tastes, I'll recommend my likes, All the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child, Any of Zoe Sharpes books, Michael Connelly and his Boche series. The Camilla Chafer series are fun mysteries as are Gemma Halliday's high heel mystery series, as are Robert Crais novels. This should keep you busy just reading the samples, Arecee

Very valid suggestions, thank you

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I believe I have read all Jack Reachers - and a few where Lee is the 'moderator' in various collections. Michael C and Boche - yep, done all those.
The other three I shall investigate. I appreciate your taking the time to comment.
Cheers
Julia

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