I didn't want to include this in the previous post.  If you've read that one, you'll understand why.

I finished a couple of books this past week (and seem to be falling behind on reporting on them).  The first one was "Sharpe's Escape" by Bernard Cornwell.  I think it is the 10th chronologically in the Richard Sharpe series (it is sometimes hard to count because they are not written that way).  I'm enjoying this series quite a bit.  It shadows the Duke of Wellington's campaigns in the early 1800s (from a trio in India through Waterloo and maybe past that a bit).  Part of the fun is that they deal with infantry rather than naval history/combat (such as seen in the Hornblower books or the Patrick O'Brian ones).  The tactics and differences in equipment are new to me.  I also like the fact that Sharpe is a really good soldier, but not a nice person.  It is an interesting dichotomy with the "officer and a gentleman" attitudes that prevail in the time (and the books).

The other book I finished was "Among Others" by Jo Walton.  I enjoyed it quite a bit but know people who will probably fall in love.  It's mostly set in real world 1979-80 (with bits of fairies and magic thrown in for flavor).  The main character is a 15 year old girl who is an obsessive reader, mostly of science fiction (with some fantasy, historical fiction and philosophy thrown in).  I guess that's why I think others will like it so much more.  There are a LOT of books (and authors) discussed, many of which I haven't read.  It does make me curious to read a bunch of them, but the lack of familiarity is a bit of a barrier to full enjoyment.  Worth reading, though.