Which book should I take on my 12.5 hour flight?

[John Dishon]

The wife and I are going to Taiwan at the beginning of March for a month to visit her parents. We're stopping for a week in Japan first since it's on the way. I've made this trip before so I know how hellish it is. From Dallas to Tokyo is 12.5 hours and I can't sleep on planes.

So I want to take a couple books with me to keep me busy. One I already decided on is Journey to the Center of the Earth, a timeless classic and one of my favorites. But I need help deciding on the second book. I've narrowed it down to these books:

1. The Hunt for Red October, Tom Clancy
2. The Bourne Identity, Robert Ludlum
3. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, John le Carre
4. The Cleaner, Brett Battles

If you've read any of these books, which would you suggest for me to bring? Which one is the most riveting, the one that will keep me glued to the pages so I can pass the time easier.

Any help is appreciated. Also, if you know of any novels that remind you of a John Woo film, let me know. Thanks.

[I. J. Parker]

John is very well read in novels about Japan. :)

[Dana Stabenow]

5. River God by Wilbur Smith. Wonderful historical slam-bang adventure novel.
6. Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher. First of five and soon to be six epic fantasy. Butcher's a gamer and the action scenes are superb, best I've read in a long time.

I know, last thing you need is more titles, but I promise you these are fat enough and good enough to get you from here to there. [I can't sleep on planes, either.]

[B.R.Stateham]

I've been thinking about this conumdrun of yours, buddy. To hell with it--go to the library and check out the entire Tony Hillerman series of his Navajo indian police novels. They're a hell of a read.

[Karen from AustCrime]

Okay I've stopped hyperventilating over just 2 books - I take 2 books when I'm driving to the supermarket :) But I'd really endorse The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - really a classic of its style and wonderfully involving.

[Tom Cooke]

John
I haven't read THE CLEANER yet but any of the other books are solid reads. Any of them will get you through the trip well entertained. I personally think le Carre's SPY is one of the best.
Tom

[Sue Dawson]

I have read all but the last one, but I see mentioned here that it is a good one. I like something that really moves, and it is difficult to give advice when I really do not know what your reading tastes are (except for seeing this list).I have been to Japan twice, and it is a LONG trip. I'm headed to my grandson's wedding in Sedona, AZ, a much shorter jaunt (never been there), and I have been trying to decide what books to take on my trip. I read Water For Elephants on my way back from Norway last year. I really enjoyed it, but I am an incurable romantic. I guess I would vote for The Spy... .