8 Books to Make Long Flights Fly By

A list of eight books recommended for long-haul flights, chosen for their immersive qualities that help pass time. The selections include psychological thrillers, science fiction, literary fiction, memoirs, and mysteries, each matched to specific flight durations and reader preferences. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller with short chapters and a twist-driven structure, ideal for six-to-nine-hour flights. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a science fiction novel with a propulsive, scientifically grounded plot, suited for flights of ten hours or more. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens combines a coming-of-age story with a courtroom mystery, offering vivid escapism. Circe by Madeline Miller is a literary retelling of Greek myth, recommended for very long flights of twelve hours or more. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is a humorous mystery, good for shorter long-haul flights or as a palate cleanser. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an emotionally intense retelling of the Achilles and Patroclus story, best for readers seeking deep emotional engagement. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is a dystopian sci-fi with puzzle-solving and 1980s pop culture references, suited for energetic escapism. Educated by Tara Westover is a memoir about self-invention, offering substantive reflection for longer flights.