Without Michael Crichton, it's likely we wouldn't have the word technothriller. And in an earlier era, his ripping yarns of science gone wrong like Jurassic Park and Congo dominated the departure lounge as well as the beach, pool, commuter train and bedside table. As it is, one of Crichton's last books, 2004's State of Fear and its cast of villainous eco-terrorists out to save the world by destroying it, has enough staying power to round out the bottom of this list. Though the author died in 2008, his final finished novel, Pirate Latitudes, will be released in late November.
Top 10 Airplane Books
O, ye of little faith in the in-flight movie! Dan Brown, whose latest novel, The Lost Symbol, hits stores Sept. 15, is the undisputed king of airplane books the not-too-heavy, not-too-long potboilers perfect for a long layover. But who else makes the list? Hudson Booksellers a staple of departure terminals nationwide shared with TIME a list of its Top 10 best sellers over the past five years