I forgot to mention what may be the best book ever - Middlesex. Just an amazingly constructed and often funny tale, completely unpredicatbale, and uplifing in an odd way. There are some tough war scenes at the beginnning, and definitelly some violence, but amazing twists and turns. The plot is breathtaking.

Especially if you are in your 40's 50's or 60's and from Detroit, you will really enjoy it, although that is hardly all that it's about. Lots to do with growing up Greek, and gender issues too.

Riveting - good reason it got the Pulitizer.