Not every book is suitable for a flight. And the right book can make the flight go by in seconds rather than hours.
The only criteria I had to be added to my list of best books to read on a plane was that I never wanted to put any of these books down!
My list of books for flights covers a few genres, so hopefully you can find something that intrigues you for your next flight.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
The Best Books To Read On A Plane
Flights don’t have to feel long, not when you have captivating books to make the time fly by in no time!
P.S. Check out my reading tracker on Etsy to add the best books to read on a plane to your to be read list, so you always have your next read!
1. The Unmaking Of June Farrow
The Unmaking of June Farrow is a light fantasy novel by Adrienne Young.
Along with the main character, June, you’re discovering the truth behind the Farrow family curse, and how to end it.
It’s a truly captivating story with heart wrenching moments, a thickening plot, and unpredictable reveals.
It’s definitely one you’ll be happy to have time to read this book from start to finish in one sitting.
- Hardcover Book
- Young, Adrienne (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages – 10/17/2023 (Publication Date) – Delacorte Press (Publisher)
2. The Reappearance Of Rachel Price
The Reappearance of Rachel Price is the newest release from author Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder). I was honestly upset every time I had to put this book down.
The disappearance of Rachel Price was the biggest unsolved mystery in the United States, until she actually reappears 16 years later.
But something doesn’t quite add up about Rachel’s story, so it’s up to her daughter, Bel, to figure it out!
- Hardcover Book
- Jackson, Holly (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 448 Pages – 04/02/2024 (Publication Date) – Delacorte Press (Publisher)
3. Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Series Book #1)
The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros was one of the hottest romantasy books of 2023, for better or for worse.
The Fourth Wing is in no way a perfect book, but it is very addictive to read – making it one of the best books to read on a plane. The entire book is a page turner, with drama and adventure around every page.
It’s Harry Potter, meets the Hunger Games, with dragons and a lot more mature content.
And if you’re flight is really long, the second book in the series, Iron Flame, is already released…
- Hardcover Book
- Yarros, Rebecca (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 528 Pages – 05/02/2023 (Publication Date) – Entangled: Red Tower Books (Publisher)
4. Carrie Soto Is Back
Carrie Soto is Back is one of the best books to read on a plane because it’s intensity does not let up for a second.
It’s the newest book from popular author Taylor Jenkins Reid (Daisy Jones and the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo…etc.).
Carrie Soto is, or was, the best female tennis player in the league until Nicki Chan beats her record. So six years after retiring, Carrie Soto is making a comeback to take back her title.
Even if you don’t like tennis, or even sports, Jenkins Reid does an impeccable job writing so you don’t have to know any thing about sports. I actually think you might enjoy the book more if you aren’t a huge tennis and sports fan as she takes some slightly unrealistic liberties to make the story more interesting.
- Jenkins Reid, Taylor (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 400 Pages – 06/06/2023 (Publication Date) – Ballantine Books (Publisher)
5. Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus might not seem like one of the most captivating books, but the story moves quickly and I love her writing style.
In fact, Lessons in Chemistry actually got me through a nearly two hour delay on the tarmac when I coming home from Calgary… the time flew by!
The story is fast-paced, and filled with ups and downs as Elizabeth Zott navigates real life in the 50s as a female chemist and now, a single mother.
I think Lessons in Chemistry is a book that every woman should read, and can probably even learn from.
- #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER GMA BOOK CLUB PICK Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. APPLE TV+ SERIES COMING LATER THIS YEAR
- Hardcover Book
- Garmus, Bonnie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 400 Pages – 04/05/2022 (Publication Date) – Doubleday (Publisher)
6. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde #1)
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett was actually my favourite book of 2023.
The book is written as journal entries from Emily as she’s doing field work about the hidden world of Faeries for her research as a Cambridge professor.
But when her academic rival, Wendell Bambleby shows up, nothing goes as planned.
P.S. If you like Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries one, it’s a part of a trilogy. The second book in the series, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands, came out at the beginning of 2024. The third book, Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales, is set to be released in early 2025.
- Hardcover Book
- Fawcett, Heather (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages – 01/10/2023 (Publication Date) – Del Rey (Publisher)
7. Pen Pal
Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger is the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover. Although it is a romance, it’s not what you’d expect (but you should still expect some mature content).
Pen Pal is not for the faint of heart and takes you on an absolute whirlwind of emotions, and it all starts when a letter arrives from an unknown man at the state penitentiary…
I can’t give too much more information about this book or I may give something away! So you’ll just have to add it to your list of books for flights to find out more!
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Geissinger, J.T. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 353 Pages – 10/11/2023 (Publication Date) – Bramble (Publisher)
8. Dark Matter
Finally a Sci-Fi book that I’ve not only liked, but was actually hard to put down!
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is an exhilarating thriller that has you thinking about what’s real.
Jason Dessen lives a seemingly normal life, until one day he wakes up in an entirely new world.
Not only is it a book you can’t put down, but the chapters are quite long which helps for a long plane ride.
- Hardcover Book
- Crouch, Blake (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages – 07/26/2016 (Publication Date) – Ballantine Books (Publisher)
9. Once Upon A Broken Heart
I did not want to put this book down, I think I read it in three days!
If you’ve read Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries and Fourth Wing (both featured on this list), and liked them, then you’ll mist likely fall in love with Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber as well.
It has faerie world and fairy tale vibes, mixed in with the fast paced energy of Fourth Wing. There was always something happening, new information, and new quests to go on.
There’s no way this book won’t hold your attention for your next long haul flight!
There are also THREE books in the series! So it can keep you entertained for a while!
Update: I finished the second book in the series and absolutely hated it. This could have been my mindset though at the time of reading it. I know readers do still really like the second and third books i the series.
Best E-Reader For Captivating Books For Flights?
As good as a printed book is, reading on an ebook is so much easier, especially when travelling. I can bring as many books as I want, so I always have one to read, without taking up any extra space.
I actually use an iPad mini as my e-reader of choice. I like that I can use my iPad for everything when I’m away from reading, to doing a bit of work, and even watching Netflix.
My family is a Kobo family though. My partner and sister have the Clara 2E and love it. It has dark mode and is audio book compatible. The newest model is the Clara Colour, that actually supports highlighting and coloured book covers!
My mom has the Kobo Libra, with all the same features as the Clara but it’s a tad larger, with a bit more space on the side to hold it more comfortably. It also now comes in the Libra Colour, supporting colours… which new update, I actually bought and absolutely LOVE it!
I also know a lot of people with the Amazon Kindle that are very happy with it.
P.S. don’t forget a thing when packing for vacation with my printable packing list on Etsy!
I Will Continue To Add Good Books For Airplane Reading As I Find Them!
I am still very much in search of the best books to read on a plane in the Science Fiction genre if anyone has some suggestions please comment them below!
Or really any other captivating books you’ve read over the years that should be added to this list!
Buy The Book Bundle On Etsy
My ultimate books lovers bundle is equipped with everything you need to keep track of your reading and favourite books!
The bundle comes with three pages: a reading checklist, a book review template, and a book tracker!
I even included two printable bookmarks as a small extra!
Everything can be printed, or used digitally on the go!
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Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API