frumiousb

Today's Sunday Salon is dedicated to those unsung books that get us through our long flights. I'm on my way to Sweden again tomorrow, and so I am considering today which books will make the flight.

*****

A coworker asked me the other day which books I tended to read on the airplane while backing and forthing to Sweden. "Oh, just airplane books", I replied modestly.

"My husband loves airplane books!" she said with great excitement. "He collects them. Maybe the two of you could share!"

I was a little bit puzzled, since it did not seem to me to be that uncommon of an interest, and she seemed so excited. "Who are his favorite authors?" I asked. "I've been reading a lot of Val McDermid lately."

Then it was her turn to look puzzled. "Val McDermid?" she asked. "Does she write about airplanes?"

Oh. Airplane books. Explanations and laughter followed.

Anyhow, this got me wondering what books you all like to bring on airplanes? Do you have particular authors who you never read in real life, but always buy at the airport bookshop? Any favorite genres or publishers who get you through the fear of flying?

Just curious.

( two of my past airplane books )

At work recently, I realized that I had a funny misunderstanding with a coworker who thought that I collected books about airplanes since I kept referring to "airplane books". These are books that I buy as long shots and will just as likely discard. The job of an airplane book is to keep me reading during an airplane ride, and should be reasonably entertaining.

( Continent of Lies, James Morrow )

( Capital Crimes, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman )