Sharp writing, vivid characters, and a story that unfolds with just the right amount of intrigue. I couldn’t put it down.
Michelle Sokolich, Auckland
As a million-mile traveller myself, I find it classic. The true-to-life scenarios are engaging and heartfelt. It will hold you still for hours as you enjoy your next flight. The author’s description of different cultures’ mindsets was well-written, witty, and heartfelt.
L.Tinsay, Manila
This is an engaging, easy read with a conclusion that had me questioning my own values and what I’d do if faced with the same dilemma. I loved the authentic descriptions of the New Zealand landscape, especially the small beach community and its laid-back residents.
Katie Macbeth, Christchurch
A truly captivating and insightful read that I highly recommend. Structured around the various work and personal flights taken by the narrator, Cora, the book uses these seemingly random encounters with strangers as a clever vehicle for exploring deeper themes of connection, family, and self-worth.
What makes this novel stand out is Hart’s sharp writing and vivid characters. The in-flight conversations are engaging and feel incredibly true-to-life. Cora is an engaging and relatable narrator, and her internal reflections prompted by these encounters had me questioning my own values and life choices, making it a deeply personal reading experience.
Check it out! It’s an engaging, easy read that is both heartfelt and witty, and I couldn’t put it down.
Carla Jamison, Chicago, Illinois
Look out for this book. It’s Lana’s first novel. It resonated with me as it combines long flights with themes dealing with the importance of family, cultural identity and environmental issues into a very readable story. It reflects Lana’s connections with both Chicago and the Coromandel in Aotearoa, NZ
Diane Ward, Christchurch
We meet all sorts of people as we travel across the skies. We always hope that they will be nice, or at least indifferent if we prefer to keep to ourselves. As Cora travels between Chicago, Los Angeles, New Zealand for work and leisure, she notices that these apparent strangers are connecting into her life in uncanny ways. Is something more going on here, or is it just the strain of an over-extended mind?
Lana Hart efficiently creates full bodied people, so vivid it feels like you caught sight of them yourself earlier that day. Her evocative and well-paced writing and smooth segues keeps the book moving while providing moments for quiet reflection. A great character-driven novel exploring how strangers can shape us in our journey through life.
Paul, Christchurch
Nice People On Planes flies you right into this story and makes you want more! An excellent read! Thought provoking at its core! Highly recommend.
Lana Hart 