The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I've loved The Mists of Avalon ever since I was sixteen. It's a retelling of the Arthurian legend from the female point of view. Arthur's sister Margaine emerges as a strong, multidimentional, sensual woman.

The Torturer's Apprentice by John Biguenet (fiction)
The stories in this collection are dark and humorous. I found myself being surprised again and again by the ironic twists and turns in these haunting tales.

Kissing the Virgin's Mouth by Donna M. Gershten (fiction)
Guadalupe Magdalena Molina Vasquez is a fiesty, earthy hilarious protagonist. You'll fall under her spell as she recounts her rise out of the poverty of her Mexican barrio. As Madga goes from street vendor to courtesan, and from dancer to successful businesswoman, she achieves a wisdom few of us could ever hope to achieve. But I feel wiser just for having heard Magda's tale.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (humor/essays)
Not only did I love this book, but so did my family, my customers, and the staff here at Maple Street. Sedaris's humor is dead on. The chapter about his experience as a French language student is one of the funniest things I've ever read.

Pure Drivel by Steve Martin (humor)
I swiped this book from my husband and he threatened to kick me out of bed because I was laughing so hard. I particularly liked "Lolita at Fifty" and "Times Roman Font Announces Shortage of Periods."