# Book Advice - need answer moderately fast **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943 "2008-07-28T17:37:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/1 "2008-07-28T17:37:04Z")
Ok. Sheer desperation strikes. I need a book for a cross Canada flight next Sunday- the second biggest country in the world, and I’m going from one end to the other. I have nothing to read, and no ideas, and I’m a fast reader. I’ve read all of everything from the authors that I know will be good. I don’t want to be stuck on a flight with a dud. If I could magically make a new book by one of these authors, I would: Terry Pratchett Ian M. Banks (Not quite so excited about his evil twin Ian Banks) Carl Hiaason JK Rowling Patrick O’Brien Neal Stephenson Whom else ought I be reading? Help. Otherwise, I’m stuck with a work related book for 5000 km. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/2 "2008-07-28T17:40:20Z")
Have you read any George R.R. Martin? The Song of Ice and Fire series is amazing, and there’s no way you’ll finish them on your flight. Plus, the new one comes out (supposedly) in October!! You’ll be hooked just in time. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/3 "2008-07-28T17:40:55Z")
Pick up _The Stand_ by Stephen King. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/4 "2008-07-28T17:45:35Z")
If you like Carl Hiaasen, you might like \*Foul Matter \* by Martha Grimes. It’s a standalone book, not one of her regular mysteries. One of the few books that’s ever made me laugh out loud and actually made me go around looking for people to tell about it. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/5 "2008-07-28T18:01:22Z")
Since you like Rowling, I highly, highly recommend Jonathan Stroud’s The Bartimaeus Trilogy. I love GRR Martin, but the books are a bit heavier (in content, though they’re also fat tomes) than I would suggest for a flight. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/6 "2008-07-28T20:38:45Z")
Thanks for the suggestions. Think of me on Sunday, up (up and away) 'til about 6pm eastern. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/7 "2008-07-28T20:57:11Z")
Based on your inclusion of Carl Hiaasen, I would recommend Joe R. Lansdale. His Hap and Leonard books are mysteries set in Texas. Hilarious and graphic. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/8 "2008-07-28T20:59:04Z")
Check out [The Name of the Wind](http://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicle-Day/dp/0756404746/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217278663&sr=1-1), by Patrick Rothfuss. Beautifully written, fast-paced but long, quite absorbing. I really enjoyed it, and you and I seem to have similar tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/9 "2008-07-28T21:17:35Z")
How about [_Infinite Jest_](http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Jest-David-Foster-Wallace/dp/0316066524/ref=ed_oe_p)? (It’s a bit of a flier, but since you list Neal Stephenson maybe it’ll be a go.) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/10 "2008-07-28T21:32:55Z")
If you like Patrick O’Brian, you might also like C.M. Forester’s _Hornblower_ series, or the _Mutiny on the Bounty_ books. If you liked Stephenson’s _Snow Crash_ and _Diamond Age_, you might like John C. Wright’s _Golden Age_ series. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/11 "2008-07-28T22:04:33Z")
I’ll go out on a limb and mention one I liked recently: The Tenderness of Wolves. It’s a novel, not sci fi/fantasy but it’s set in the frozen wasteland of Canada so it may be just right. It’s not too deep but it’s an engaging story. > **[The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel: Penney, Stef: 9781416571308: Amazon.com:...](https://www.amazon.com/Tenderness-Wolves-Novel-Stef-Penney/dp/1416571302)** > > The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel \[Penney, Stef\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/12 "2008-07-28T22:15:37Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] I’ll go out on a limb and mention one I liked recently: The Tenderness of Wolves. It’s a novel, not sci fi/fantasy but it’s set in the frozen wasteland of Canada so it may be just right. It’s not too deep but it’s an engaging story. > **[The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel: Penney, Stef: 9781416571308: Amazon.com:...](https://www.amazon.com/Tenderness-Wolves-Novel-Stef-Penney/dp/1416571302)** > > The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel \[Penney, Stef\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel [/QUOTE] The authors I listed at the top are just the ones I’d like to squeeze a quick novel out of, knowing they’d be readable. I read a lot of other stuff as well as science fiction and fantasy. I appreciate your suggestion very much as well. Murder in the snow is always a good start. Thanks. Especially since I’m leaving the snowy part on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![Soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/13 "2008-07-28T22:19:39Z")
Get thee to a bookstore and purchase His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman (the Golden Compass trilogy). It was a truly marvelous read that I completed mere days ago. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/14 "2008-07-28T22:20:13Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] How about [_Infinite Jest_](http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Jest-David-Foster-Wallace/dp/0316066524/ref=ed_oe_p)? (It’s a bit of a flier, but since you list Neal Stephenson maybe it’ll be a go.) Stranger [/QUOTE] That looks good too. My distant relative **T. Slothrop** (we have the same mother and the same father) is a big Pynchon and Stephenson fan. I’ll have to pass on this recommendation on to him. Or just let him read it here. ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/15 "2008-07-28T22:35:16Z")
[The Company](http://www.amazon.com/Company-TV-tie-Robert-Littell/dp/0143038850/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217284427&sr=1-1) by Robert Littell is a good fat read. And pretty well written into the bargain. I wouldn’t describe it as your typical spy novel. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/16 "2008-07-28T22:53:50Z")
I just finished “Duma Key” by Stephen King, and I absolutely loved it - I’ve been a Stephen King fan for decades, and I think this is one of his best books. It felt like he poured his heart and soul into the book. (Plus, it’s only about $12 at Wal\*Mart! No getting hosed for Canadian prices!) ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/17 "2008-07-29T06:33:10Z")
I recently discovered Canadian mystery writer Giles Blunt. His three novels, set in a small Ontario city are \*\*Black Fly Season, Forty Words for Sorrow \*\* and **The Delicate Storm**. Highly rfecommended. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/18 "2008-08-02T21:47:13Z")
Off to the bookstore with the list - Thanks again ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/19 "2008-08-02T21:58:58Z")
Are you sure you have read everything by them? A lesser-known book by Pratchett (if all you know him for is Discworld) is _Good Omens_, co-written with Neil Gaiman. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943/20 "2008-08-03T02:13:40Z")
I don’t really have a suggestion, but I do have a cross-country flight related anecdote… I have tried to read The Fountainhead about 4 or 5 times, and could never get past about midway. I would always get to about the same point, put the book down for some reason or other, and just never be able to get back into it. So a few months ago I flew from Sacramento to Boston (via Houston), and back again. I managed to read about 500 pages during the various flights… I still haven’t finished (having only read about 12 pages since I got home), but dammit, I’m going to do it this time!!! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-advice-need-answer-moderately-fast/457943.md?page=2)