Like WrensMom I would recommend "Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley

For some easy to read and interesting essays on feminism and comments on the place of women in history (both contemporary and long past), read Kathryn Rountree's "Embracing the Witch and the Goddess". She explores things like stereotypes... women must be the maid (virginal), or cast as the bad person (prostitutes/mother in laws) or as a saint (his mother no one can live up to, Mother Teresa). She explores the social history that progressively took power away from women (for example, not owning land, not being able to work /have own wages, and for a while, midwifes not being able to help birth babies!). And Rountree explores ways we have been reclaiming the power we have.

I like Wilbur Smiths books for an easy escapism - The Seventh Scroll is one of my faves

**** Francis still turns out a good mystery.

Clare Francis writes extremly well, as does Nelson deMille.

Another fun book that debunks the myths surrounding how women should be and I believe should be a must for any teenage daughters... is "Real Gorgeous" by Kaz Cook... it challenges the media nonsense that females are ingrained with from magazines, TV and advertising... things around skinny is fit, and fat is undesirable, and you have to do what your friends say, and real girlfriends go all the way... its matter of fact, and fun and very affirming.

Oh... Ben Elton... some of his books area riot! (and what would you expect from the writer of the Young Ones, Black Adder and Filthy Rich and Catflap!)