If you want fantasy, you can't beat Tim Powers (assuming you can find some of his stuff). He has the uniqe talent of being able to blend fantasy and fiction into an almost seamless mix. His stories are our world, but with magic just below the surface. Try and get Declare, his latest. It's a cold war spy novel blended with arabian mythology. That or The Anubis Gates.
If you want something funnier, and don't mind some sci fi, try Neal Stephenson. I've read his Snow Crash and Zodiac, both are hilarious. The first has an almost anime flavour. Depending on how fast you read, try and get his latest, Cryptonomicon. A -1000 page flat black brick, it's hard to miss on the book shelf. Avoid his The Big U. That's his first book and it really shows.
If you want some non-fiction oriented stuff, try and get Rogue Warrior by Richard Marcinko. The apparently true story of his rise through the ranks of the early SEAL teams. Great action, scathing humour, loads of profanity.
For pure comedy, you can't go wrong with any Dave Barry, be it his columns or fictional writing. Be warned that his stuff goes quickly, though.
If you want mystery blended with comedy I strongly urge you to get either Anonymous Rex or Casual Rex (doesn't matter the order you read them in) by Eric Garcia. Hilarious stuff, very original twists on the standard private-eye detective novels. And if you liked Jurassic Park (or at least its antagonists) I have the sneaky suspicion you'll like this
Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer is an interesting read. Probably able to read on the flight. Very, very Canadian book.
Another non-fiction read you might want to look for is The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams. Totally hilarious perspective on inept management and what makes it a blight in the workplace.
Not sure if it's still in print, but Inferno by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle was a good read I thought. A modern sci-fi writer dies and ends up in Dante's Hell.
Recapping this list, my top 5 reccomendations:
1. Declare by Tim Powers
2. Anonymous Rex or Casual Rex by Eric Garcia
3. Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, or Zodiac by Neal Stephenson.
4. The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams
5. Rogue Warrior by Richard Marcinko
Hope you get a good one!
-- Jack
C++ is history repeated as tragedy. Java is history repeated as farce.
-- Scott McKay