MetaChat - Which book should I read first?

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22 November 2008

Which book should I read first? I'm going to the Caribbean on holidays for a couple of weeks, and have picked the thickest books (that I won't read at home, as they make my work bag too heavy) from my to-be-read pile to take with me, but can't choose one to start with. Which would you read first of:→[More:]

- Edward Rutherford - London
- China Mieville - Perdido Street Station
- Audrey Niffenegger - The Time Traveler's Wife
- Umberto Eco - The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana
- Carl Hiaasen - omnibus of Tourist Season, Double Whammy and Skin Tight
- Alan Hollinghurst - The Line of Beauty
- Marina Warner - Alone Of All her Sex: The Myth and Cult of the Virgin Mary

I've read other books by most of these authors before and they're all good, and really can't choose. Help me, MeCha!

post by: goo at: 17:00 | 10 comments

Oh, hope me, admins! I meant to [more inside] after the initial question. Sorry.

posted by goo 22 November | 17:07

Eco

posted by matteo 22 November | 17:24

Damn, girl got good taste in books! I recommend The Time Traveller's Wife to start with because it's intriguing but an accessible read. Save Perdido Street Station for when you're up for less than happy endings.

posted by Specklet 22 November | 17:53

It would depend on where I was. If I were looking for something for the plane, probably the lightest-looking (in terms of tone, content, style, etc) novel there. I need escapist entertainment on airplanes; I lose track of complicated novels.

But I don't know any of those books, except the Hollinghurst, so I don't know what that might be.

If it were for once I arrived, then probably the most complicated-looking novel, so I could get sucked into another world. Which would likely be the Eco.

I can't deal with non-fiction on vacations, though, so take that bias into account. :-)

posted by occhiblu 22 November | 17:54

I've read three of those (Rutherfurd, Niffenegger, Eco) and I'd go with the first or second one.

posted by initapplette 22 November | 18:08

Of the three I've read (Mieville, Niffenegger, Hollinghurst) I'd read The Line of Beauty on the plane. Save Perdido Street station for when you won't get interrupted much.

posted by gaspode 22 November | 18:52

The Caribbean for a couple weeks?

I'm very, very jealous. As long as they keep the umbrella drinks coming, it's all good.

You might wanna check out digital versions (and Sony or Amazon's ebook readers) to lighten the load.

posted by Pips 22 November | 22:24

The Eco is great, I definitely recommend it.

posted by kodama 23 November | 00:09

Thanks guys! I think it'll be the Hollinghurst (and a couple of gossip mags) for the plane.

The load is the least of my worries, pips - a bikini and a sarong take up very little room, and the rest is all for books! I've read mainly murder mysteries this year - it's only on vacation I have the time and the headspace for anything deeper. I intend to have a good stab at getting through at least four of these.

posted by goo 23 November | 09:23

To update - I got through The Line of Beauty, London, Perdido Street Station and the Eco. And damn they were all good books, especially The Line of Beauty (oh, Nick, my heart is still breaking for you).

I tripped around and slept more than I thought I would - I thought I'd have much more time for reading than I did!

I started The Time Traveler's Wife whilst on the plane on the way home but got distracted by Molly Keane's Good Behaviour (fantastic, gut-wrenching faux-chicklit-if-you-believe-the-cover-but-not-really (and damn Virago I thought a feminist press would do better than that, this is an awesome novel). I'll finish it eventually, I'm sure.

posted by goo 16 December | 01:32

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