Great suggestions, Cil. I read "Running with Scissors" and thought it was wonderful. But it's not for everyone and I wouldn't leave it in our cottage for guests to read because it could make many people uncomfortable. It's a true story about a very clever young boy/man (who decides early on in his life that he is gay) who lives with a crazy family (including a pedophile who takes advantage of him) and who somehow manages to write a wonderfully humorous and uplifting book. I couldn't put it down. I picked up the book because I grew up near Northampton, Massachusetts, where the book takes place. It's a fantastic town/city, but it doesn't surprise me that the family he describes lived there! I would definitely read all the other books you recommended, except Harry Potter (never got into those books, nor did our children).