What's a Good Summer Read?

I feel almost guilty leaving the topic of the London bombings to broach such a mundane and selfish subject, but here goes.

My "reading for fun" selections have been a bit blah lately. A bit underwhelming. It's been some time since I've devoured one of those books which kept me flipping pages like an Evelyn Wood speed reader, or grinning like the village idiot as I read because the printed words were just so darn good. Do you know what I mean?

So, dear readers, I appeal to you for suggestions. What is a book you've read in the past that brought you great enjoyment? I'm not talking necessarily about the book that changed your life or rearranged your thought pattern or lowered your cholesterol. It could be that book, but I'm looking for a book or books you read where you couldn't wait to sit down and get started again, and at the end, you wished there were 400 pages more.

I can't promise if you suggest a book that I'll actually get around to reading it. When it comes to books, my eyes are definitely bigger than my stomach, if you know what I mean. But I'd appreciate any suggestions and comments you might have. And if I do read some of the books you suggest, I'll promise to try and post a review to tell you what the experience was like.

Thanks in advance for all the great suggestions!

Quote of the day:

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."

--Jonathan Swift