I’ve always found airports to be gateways not just to physical destinations but to new worlds of thought as well. Each book I’ve picked up while waiting for a flight has been a companion in the sky, each with its own story about how it came into my hands. Whether a spontaneous purchase to kill time or a planned download to enrich a long journey, these books have made my travels unforgettable.
- “The Plague” by Albert Camus – A profound narrative and my second Camus after “The Myth of Sisyphus”. It had no real relevance at the time that I read it, but echoes of it certainly came back to me at the start of the pandemic. I can’t even remember where I picked it up though I think it was LHR on the way to Sweden.
- “Pegasus Bridge: D-Day: The Daring British Airborne Raid” by Stephen E. Ambrose – I definitely picked this up in LGW on the way to a school trip to either Brussels or Switzerland. Can’t recall which. It was shortly after I had finished reading Band of Brothers and this therefore caught my eye in a WH Smiths when I was looking for something to read on the way. I recall someone or other poking fun of me at the time. Not that I cared much.
- “The Caves of Steel” by Isaac Asimov – A cornerstone of science fiction that blends a detective story with futuristic elements. I bought this in either IAD or DCA on a business trip to the eastern district of Texas. It wasn’t until much later that I actually read this beauty and it was while I was interweaving it with books from the Foundation series.
- “Redshirts” by John Scalzi – Downloaded this one to my kindle on the way EWR for a business trip. Growing up, I was much more sucked into the later Star Treks (TNG, DS9 and VOY) and had never really delved into the original series except for the movies. Even so, I knew about the joke about ‘red shirts’ on away missions. This is a humorous take on sci-fi that I loved and it made me laugh out loud, perfect for unwinding on a long flight.
This list also includes narratives ranging from the thrilling sci-fi adventures in “Timeline” by Michael Crichton and “Forward the Foundation” by Isaac Asimov, to the deep historical dives in “Imperium” by Robert Harris. Not to mention, literary classics like “Breakfast of Champions” by Kurt Vonnegut and modern tales like “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman. Each book has its unique charm that enhanced my travels, whether by offering escapism or by enriching my understanding of the world.
Whether you’re flying across oceans or just lounging at home, these books can transport you far beyond your physical confines. If you feel inspired to explore some of these titles, you can find them on Bookshop.org. Buying from this link supports not only Cow Island but also your local bookshops. Dive into these worlds, and let your journey begin!