A lengthy quasi-epic that brings to life the colorful characters whose lives revolve around the construction of a medieval cathedral. Follett weaves together the stories of multiple generations in captivating style.

Hosseini's follow-up to The Kite Runner is just as rich in character development and Afghan culture.

Another rich character study that focuses on the women in a Georgian missionary family gone to serve in the Congo and the severe culture shock they experience.

Just a thought-provoking read that examines everything from children's names to standardized testing and beyond.

This has to be my favorite Dickens; I love the symbolism and the historical backdrop of the French Revolution.

Forget "Supersize Me"; I haven't eaten at McDonald's or Burger King since reading this book several years ago, and I'm not usually much of a bandwagon type. Unlike Morgan Spurlock's documentary, this book explores all aspects of fast food's "evil empires"--social, economical, and political--not just nutritional.

Particularly for those who have grown up reading Bible stories, this book plucks an obscure character out of the Old Testament and gives her significance in this fictional piece. "The Gilded Chamber," about Queen Esther, falls into the same category and is just as good.

Particulary if you have read and appreciated Dante's Inferno, this story of a serial killer who models his killings after punishments in The Inferno makes for a captivating literary thriller. This is set during the time when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was working on the first American translation of the Divine Comedy.

I'm listing only the first of the Mitford series, but what this series lacks in literary "greatness" is more than compensated for by its characters and tranquil, small-town appeal. You can't help but become enraptured by Father Tim and all of the rest of the citizens of Mitford. Makes you long for simpler times.

Any mystery lover would be remiss to ignore Christie's contribution to the genre, and this particular work is my favorite. Another lesser-known and now out-of-print book that is like it is "The Ninth Guest" by Gwen Bristow. My remaining copy is quite worn, despite the fact that I always know how it ends!

An easy read that is a good perspective check for all Americans in this post 9/11 era.

I hesitate to say that I enjoyed this play, as it is--in many ways--a modern tragedy. It's craftsmanship, just like Miller's "The Crucible," is masterful.

I so much wish I had seen Phylicia Rashad in the Broadway production of this classic. This poignant play is packed with meaning.

I'm not a huge fan of true horror, but this collection of short stories displays King's talent for pure storytelling (not just supernatural chills). Contained in this particular selection are the stories that spawned the films "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Stand By Me."

This is a no-brainer, but I just can't omit it.

A fun, action-packed sci-fi read about a young boy-turned-savior-of-the-universe. Think Harry Potter in outer space.

A transparent view of a poor, dysfunctional family from the perspective of the adult who watched it all fall apart as a child. I read it in one day--absolutely captivating.

This is one of those novels that makes you think, "How did she come up with this idea?" Are the events surrounding the death of the narrator's mother supernatural or not?

Just in case you thought I would leave out this one.