ksm

D is studying abroad for the semester and longs to read anything in English! Need advice for paperback books to send in a care package. She and her roommate have already devoured "Life of Pi" and "The Book Thief." They read while riding the trains. Are there any books your students may have enjoyed?

musicamusica

Where is she living? Most large cities in Europe have bookstores with books in English.

menloparkmom

I just finished Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- a fabulous thriller based in Norway. It's out in paperback, so the shipping will cost less.

bookiemom

My D liked The Glass Castle. She has also enjoyed Agatha Christie mysteries.

cbreeze

Get her a kindle and download books from the web. It's much more practical when you are traveling not to carry extra weight around.

great lakes mom

When my D was in Europe for a HS year, and had to sit through classes she couldn't comprehend, I sent oodles of books. Ask the PO if there still is a book/printed matter rate. Not sure with recent changes. I culled my old bookshelves for good reads, that I had no need to keep around. I also haunted our St. Vincent de Paul which has a great book selection. Make it cheap, so she can read and give the books away. There are oodles of classic good reads. Angelas Ashes, anything by Farley Mowat, Bill Bryson. I think James Michener is perfect for travel, but my D thought I was cruel for sending her Poland. But she read it, and learned a great deal in the process.

Sammy the dog

I second "the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo". Really interesting book that I think would appeal to younger people. Somewhat violent though. It takes place in Sweden and keeps you guessing until the end.

coureur

D enjoyed the Jeeves series by P.G. Wodehouse.

mathmom

Has she checked out the local libraries? When we were in Germany all the suburban libraries had a pretty decent collection of classics and bestsellers in English. It wasn't hard to get a library card.

ksm

Thanks, CC friends! I am headed for the bookstore this weekend to prepare the "Mom thing" - a care package! D doesn't want to spend time or money. Your suggestions are very welcome!!

lightmom

We all loved Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson, and it is very inspirational!

Onward

I am really enjoying Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I think if your daughter liked the Book Thief, she will like this book-- of course, I haven't finished it yet. But I can say that I am having a hard time putting it down.

Bromfield

I'd second the Kindle suggestion. They're really wonderful for traveling. My H (who travels for business 4-6 times a month) loves his. He downloads whatever he wants--has a huge selection of book available and can also download newspapers.

Consolation

Is she supposed to be in a foreign language immersion? If so, you may not be doing her a favor...it would be better to tough it out and find something to read in the language of the country. (As a major bookworm, I can imagine how tough this would be, I must say.) My S is currently studying abroad, and they had to sign a pledge not to use English!

I've hosted foreign students, and the one who received constant phone calls from his native land and sought out local immigrants and listened to music in that language and surfed web sites in that language made poor progress with English and continued to suffer from homesickness and generally did not have a successful semester.

If she's not in an immersion situation, mail away!