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Fiction

1. The Amelia Peabody Mysteries, Elizabeth Peters
   Start with Crocodile on the Sandbank, don't be discouraged by The Curse of the Pharaohs, and plan to read from The Mummy Case on with increasing enjoyment! Many novels end with a couple getting together, but very few attempt a look at the "happily ever after" stage. I love the dynamic between Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, and its development throughout the series always makes me smile (in addition to the jokes that have me continually cracking up -- to the amusement of persons who may be nearby as I'm reading). I personally find the four novel series Seeing a Large Cat, Ape Who Guards the Balance, Falcon at the Portal, and He Shall Thunder in the Sky to be the pinnacle of a terrific series. However, I do feel that the later books (post-Lord of the Silent) aren't quite up to snuff and must admit I've only read those volumes once. Ms. Peters has written over 60 books between her various noms de plume, and the 18th novel of her beloved Amelia Peabody series comes out in March 2006. See mpmbooks.com for newsletter updates and further information about the series.

2. The Vicky Bliss Series, Elizabeth Peters
   A close second to Amelia due to quantity, not quality. While Vicky only has 5 books to Ms. Peabody's close to 20, each one is a constant thrill ride that reads like a movie. (I must admit I was so distracted by these books on a vacation to San Francisco that I insisted on finding the nearest Barnes & Noble to purchase the rest of the set and devoured them each night in the hotel room, to the annoyance of my fiancé.) While the first novel, Borrower of the Night, is enjoyable, the introduction of a new character in the second book provides the right dynamic and makes the rest of the series truly superb. See mpmbooks.com for newsletter updates and further information about the series.

3. The Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling
   I can't in good conscience push these any farther down on the list because I may have read them most out of any series. Regardless of conflicting opinions, I adore these books and attribute their success to the fact that there's a little something to appeal to everyone in the three main characters (if you don't know who they are by now I'm sure you live under a rock). I must admit I'm getting a little tired of re-reading books 1-4 in waiting for 5, 6, and 7; but I've found each successive installment even more enjoyable than the previous edition. A recommended source for all things Potter: mugglenet.com.

4. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
   Even upon second and third readings, I have trouble putting this one down in the middle. I usually just manage to pause in between parts one and two, where Elizabeth begins to think differently, but it's a challenge. Instead of making things easier, knowing the outcome of the story only makes me want to read on! I also enjoyed Persuasion and Emma, though I disliked Sense & Sensibility and Mansfield Park. If you'd prefer to watch the famous novel rather than read it, I highly recommend A&E/BBC's miniseries -- I found it very true to the original and just as enjoyable.

5. Timeline, Michael Crichton
   Loved the book, hated the movie. I was so impressed that Crichton had placed women characters in powerful and prominent roles, while the movie completely eliminated as many of the female characters as possible -- leaving only the two love interests!

One night stands

• Dan Brown
• Janet Evanovich
• Barbara Michaels
• Elizabeth Peters