The best book for a journey is one you do not mind being interrupted from, and cannot wait to get back to. Here are five for a long train or a quiet flight.
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir (2021)
A lone astronaut wakes up with no memory and a huge problem. It is clever and funny, and you will want just one more chapter.
The Martian, Andy Weir (2011)
An astronaut stranded on Mars solves one problem at a time. It is gripping and good-humored.
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie (1939)
Ten strangers on an island and a rhyme that comes true. It is a classic, and it moves quickly.
Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens (2018)
A girl grows up alone in the North Carolina marshes, with a mystery running through the story. It is atmospheric and easy to settle into.
Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel (2014)
A traveling theater troupe wanders a world after a pandemic. It is thoughtful, hopeful and beautifully built.
A tip for travelers
Download a second book to your phone in case you finish the first early. Ask the BookPal for something that matches the length of your journey.
