Crackpot by John Waters (1986)

Collection of absolutely hilarious personal essays. Includes two essays that I love so much I'd like to have them embroidered on (really large) samplers:   “101 Things I Hate" and “101 Things I Love.”  Other standout essays include "Ladies and Gentlemen . . . The Nicest Kids in Town!", the essay that the movie and musical Hairspray was based on.  A fascinating look inside Waters's head.

The Queen and I by Sue Townsend (2002)

What happens when the royal family is voted out of power and goes on the dole? Hilarity ensues.  Hilarious and affectionate novel by the author of the Adrian Mole diaries.

Lynn Kurland - Adored Author

Lynn Kurland writes time-travel, paranormal and historical romances. Most are about the members of two large, sprawling families and characters from one novel make appearances in other novels.  I first discovered her work with Stardust of Yesterday, a funny and charming ghost story about a woman who inherits an English castle that comes complete with a ghost. A very engaging and sexy ghost. See also The More I See You, a time travel romance about a contemporary woman traveling back to 1260. And yes, meets a handsome, battled-hardened knight.  And This Is All I Ask, an excellent historical romance novel about a plain girl sent to the legendarily dangerous "Dragon of Blackmoor." Though a bit more somber than her paranormal books, this is a very romantic tale with incredibly well-drawn characters.

Little Children by Tom Perrotta (2004)

Novel about infidelity among stay-at-home spouses. Great movie as well, but the source material was definitely there to begin with. Interesting characters, complicated relationships, fascinating interior explorations.

The Grace That Keeps the World by Tom Bailey (1991)

Elegiac, thoughtful tale of a family living in upstate New York, who live off the land and have a great tragedy. The story unfolds through the voices of the family and the townspeople and is a quiet, descriptive story, which also has a strong suspenseful thread due to the big mystery to be revealed at the end.

The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer (1995)

Kate Bjorkman, six feet tall, bespectacled and gawky, is celebrating the holidays in Saint Paul with her family. Her brother comes home for the holidays bringing his friend (and her longtime crush) Richard with him. Romance ensues, and she writes the whole thing up using her Romance Writer's Phrasebook. So adorable and charming.

The Dark Secrets Series by Elizabeth Chandler (2009)

Comprised of four novels: No Time to Die, Legacy of Lies, Don't Tell, The Deep End of Fear.  Set in the town of Wisteria, Maryland, these four novels are delightful gothic lite--each stars a plucky, self-confident heroine facing a slightly supernatural situation. Like popcorn: fluffy, tasty, ultimately not very filling, but awfully fun.

Social Crimes by Jane Stanton Hitchcock (2002)

Tale of drama and revenge, set in New York society.  A jilted millionaire's wife attempts to get her money, her social standing, and her power back. Dishy and delicious, this is like a fifties women's movie (i.e., Mildred Pierce) in book form.

Richard Matheson - Adored Author

A prolific contributor to the Twilight Zone tv series, Matheson writes stories that are part horror, part fantasy and completely compelling. Outstanding collections of Matheson's work include Third From the Sun and the Shock series.  See also Duel, a wonderful collection of short stories including the title story, a fabulous tale of road rage and craziness that is genuinely frightening. Makes you wonder how anybody makes it home alive after being out on the roads.

Tam Lin by Pamela Dean (1991)

Part of the wonderful fairy tale retelling series put out by Tor and created by Terri Windling series, this is an imaginative retelling of the Scottish ballad set in a college in Minnesota.  In this version, an English literature major discovers that she must defy the Faerie Queen to rescue her own true love.  An interesting companion novel to Donna Tartt's The Secret History, which is set among classics majors at a college.