10 Best Books To Read on a Plane (Takeoff with One of These)

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Reading a book while flying on a plane can make your journey even more enjoyable, not to mention productive.

A good book provides an opportunity to relax and escape into another world.

Read on to find out more about the best books to read on a plane according to the duration of your journey.

Best Books To Read on a Plane

Choosing the Best Books To Read on a Plane
Best books to read on a plane

Dive into a good book and forget that you are on a plane.

Here are some of the best books to read while flying.

1. The Old Man and the Sea

  • Author: Ernest Hemingway
  • Read time: two hours
  • Genre: Fiction

The Old Man and the Sea is a novella that tells the story of an aging Cuban fisherman, Santiago, who struggles to catch a giant marlin in the Gulf Stream off the coast of Cuba.

After several days of trying, he is still unsuccessful and eventually returns with the only skeleton of his catch.

Along the way, Santiago battles with sharks and struggles against his own fatigue and pain, ultimately proving his resilience and strength through this arduous journey. This book just keeps you reading page after page.

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  • Author: Stephen Chbosky
  • Read time: under four hours
  • Genre: Romance, Drama

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a novel set during the early 1900s that follows the story of Charlie who is an introverted freshman in high school that struggles to make sense of the fast-moving world around him.

The character deals with issues of adolescence, sexuality, mental health, and substance abuse. Overall, this is a great book to read on a plane if your flight is about four hours long.

3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

  • Author: Mark Haddon
  • Read time: under four hours
  • Genre: Romance, Drama

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was written back in 2003.

The story is about a 15-year-old boy Christopher Boone that is on the autism spectrum and tries to investigate the death of his neighbor’s dog, Wellington.

As Christopher works to solve this mystery, the investigation leads him on a journey of self-discovery that uncovers secrets about his family and their past. He also learns how to interact with the world around him.

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4. Infinite Country

  • Author: Patricia Engel
  • Read time: under four hours
  • Genre: Romance

Infinite Country is a novel about an immigrant family that moves across three countries – Colombia, USA, and Mexico.

The family moves across countries to experience different cultures and search for their heritage. Elena, the mother in the story gets deported from the United States.

The book follows Elena’s journey as she struggles to live outside her comfort zone being separated from her children, each of whom has been raised in different countries with different cultures and languages.

5. The Alchemist

  • Author: Paulo Coelho
  • Read time: under four hours
  • Genre: Fiction

The Alchemist is a story written about a shepherd called Santiago.

On his journey to find a hidden treasure in Egypt, Santiago learns the teachings of the universal language of love and faith. He discovers how important is for one to follow their destiny and listen to their heart.

Along his journey, young Santiago meets a mysterious alchemist who helps him understand the power of the Soul of the World. Overall, a great book to have with you on a plane.

6. Pride and Prejudice

  • Author: Jane Austen
  • Read time: five and a half hours
  • Genre: Fiction, Romance

Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel about five Bennet sisters, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia living in the 19th century in England.

Elizabeth struggles to balance her pride when she falls in love with Mr. Darcy.

The family has to struggle with pride and prejudice as they all start to search for love and happiness. Elizabeth is left to choose between love and her loyalty to the family.

7. A Gentleman in Moscow

  • Author: Amor Towles
  • Read time: nine hours
  • Genre: Political Fiction

A Gentleman in Moscow is a historical fiction novel that takes place in Russia during the early 20th century.

The story is about Count Alexander Rostov who was just sentenced to a life of hours arrest in the Metropol Hotel, located right across from the Kremlin in Moscow.

Despite that the can’t leave the hotel, his life is filled with adventure as he befriends and often assists the hotel’s staff and guests.

Reading this book will give you an insight into how life was for many Russians at a crucial moment in their nation.

8. The Innocents Abroad

  • Author: Mark Twain
  • Read time: nine hours
  • Genre: Travel literature

The Innocents Abroad is a travel book written based on the author’s six-month-long journey through Europe and the Holy Land abroad a steamship.

The book consists of humorous anecdotes and stories about the various places he lived.

Throughout the book, Mark Twain paints a clear picture of the places he visited and the people he encountered. He also expresses his own options about everything from politics to religion spiced with humorous wit and insight.

9. Band of Brothers

  • Author: Stephen E.Ambrose
  • Read time: ten hours
  • Genre: Action, Fiction

Band of Brother is about Easy Company, a battalion of U.S. Army paratroopers during World War II.

The book begins with the men’s rigorous training in 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, and continues through D-Day, Victory in Europe Day, and the very end of the war.

Led by the courageous Lt. Dick Winters, Easy Company’s missions included parachuting into France on D-Day and being among the first to enter Hitle’s mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Reading this book on a plane will keep you entertained for the full flight.

10. Seabiscuit 

  • Author: Laura Hillenbrand
  • Read time: twelve hours
  • Genre: Drama

Seabiscuit is a non-fiction book that was published back in 2001.

The book tells a story about Seabiscuit, an undersized and overlooked racehorse who went on to become one of the most successful thoroughbreds of all time.

Charles Howard, the owner of the horse, Tom Smith, the trainer, and Red Pollard, the jockey, are the main characters in the book.

The remarkable storytelling of the author provides insight into the culture of horse racing in America during the Great Depression.

In Conclusion

Reading a book on a plane is probably the best way to have fun while flying. Not only will your flight seem like it lasted five minutes, but you will also have a productive time. Get one of the books before your flight and have the best time.

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