The Island or The Return both by Victoria Hislop both brill reads could not put either down

I enjoyed What to do when some dies and Sleep With Me (I can find out the authors' names if you are interested).

I am not a book lover when on holiday but I do buy the mags for a quick read (think you know the ones I mean - akin to Jeremy Kyles programme, except having a few quizzes thrown in).
But I cannot understand why I read them as they are so sad and there is rarely happy outcome and I should be enjoying myself on holiday instead of getting upset about other people's problems!
I think there are others like me judging by the sales of these types of mags and how many similar ones are on the shelves so do we do it?

Anything by John Grisham is usually a can't put down read for me. I'm currently reading Martina Coles's "The Business" which up to her usual standard.

Marian Keyes - particulary enjoyed "Rachel's Holiday" and "Anybody Out There" (both made me laugh out loud)
Jill Mansell - particularly enjoyed "Making Your Mind Up"
Catherine Alliott
Sophie Kinsella
Cathy Kelly

I love my books on holiday.......can go thru' one a day if it's a good 'un.

I would recommend anything by Marian Keyes or Sophie Kinsella, incidentally does anyone know where I can buy the complete 'shopoholic' series I would love to take this on holiday and can only find the 'box set' on American Amazon, surely they sell it in the UK.

Barbara Erskine books are great, I've just finished the latest one and it was as good as the early ones which are fantastic!!

Hi Joolz,
Your tastes seem very similar to mine (apart from Catherine Cookson). I did enjoy the first couple of hers I read but after that thought they were all much the same.
I love Sheila O'Flanagan and I think you would probably enjoy Marita Conlan-Mckenna who writes in similar vein. Among those of hers I've read are 'The Matchmaker' and 'The Stone House'. Another Irish Author I liked was Geraldine O'Neill. The best was 'Tara Flynn' though set in earlier times.
I generally don't go too much for American authors but have recently been enjoying several books by Fern Michaels.
I would
also endorse recommendations for Catherine Alliot an.d Jill Mansell

Both my local florist and the little dress shop round the corner to me have a box of second-hand paper-backs outside which they sell for charity so I have a quick flip through most days and often pick up a few books for my holidays. My d.i.l. also works in a library and they sell of old stock to their staff for a few coppers so I'm usually well supplied. Flying with BA next month so no problem with excess baggage!!

I like a good autobiography on holiday - I've read Russell Brand, Jodie Marsh, Jade, Jordan etc... Russell Brand had me giggling like an idiot on the sunbed in Crete last year When we were away at Easter I read The Devil Wears Prada; I still haven't seen the film but the book was brilliant and reminded me so much of the position I was in at work with the person who was my "manager"
I also spend a fortune on magazines on holiday, but not the "Jeremy Kyle" story-type ones, can't be doing with those stories I see too many families like that at work I always have to have my Heat magazine, and get very anxious when I know the latest issue is out at home but nowhere has it in the resort yet!
Currently (at home this summer, no holiday for me) I'm reading the Twilight saga and I'm totally hooked. Not everyone likes fantasy/sci-fi but I have to own up to being a "sucker" for a good vampire tale...

I can't offer any suggestions in the genre you mention - I tend to read more crime/adventure stuff as me & OH share.

But if you do want something with a bit more 'bite', I can second the John Grisham recommendation, just finished 'The Appeal'.
David Baldacci is in a similar vein.
Jeffery Deaver (he wrote The Bone Collector, filmed with Denzel Washington & Angelina Jolie) is good.
I also like Michael Connelly - one of his books (The Lincoln Lawyer) was on Richard & Judy's list the other year.

What about Dan Brown?
I was a bit underwhelmed with The Da Vinci Code but Deception Point & Digital Fortress were good, and I though Angels & Demons was a cracking read.

FWIW - I've just finished reading Jodi Picoult's 'My Sister's Keeper' and I'm on a hunt for the rest of hers.

Thanks folks, I have read a few of some of the authors you all mention.

My Sister's Keeper, yes that's the Jodi Piccoult book I bought.

Fancy the Time Travellers Wife but can't find in Tesco and WH Smith were sold out tonight, on offer £3.99. Too dear in Borders

Katie fforde writes light-hearted rom-coms

The time Travellers wife is on offer on Play.com at the moment, I think it said £3.99 and you get free delivery.

Maureen Lee writes good stories set in Liverpool.Catrin Collier's books are all set in the Swansea valley and are a good read. I also enjoy Ruth Hamilton and Judith Lennox, both great authors.

Get a SONY PRS-505.... download loads of books. I've got the complete Anne MaCafferry, and Robert Asprin book collections (about 110 books in all on mine). Heaven. Lots to read.

Also got some chap called Dickens and Jules-Verne which are pretty neat, and Homers Oddessy (spelling) which has nothing to do with springfield or the simpsons at all.

sheila oflanagn has a new book out on the 3rd sept.....i had an email from amazon, but cant remeber its name, sorry

Marian Keyes and Cathy Kelly both have books that I class as good holiday reads. I can also recommend Erica James.
A book which is unputdownable is Missing by Susan Lewis - a brilliant read.

I usually like to read James Patterson , find them quick and easy to read also like CSK i like to read autobiographies, generally i go for sports stars, especially thought Bobby Robson (RIP) book was great , even if you're not a football fan its a fantastic account of his life , but then i've also read autos by Julian Clary and Paul O'Grady both very funny and a bit sad. and i've read the odd Clarkson book.