Bibliophilia

I love books.  I love just the sensual experience of holding a beautiful book in my hands, the cool feel of the paper,  the smell, the heft.  And what I really love is if the words on the pages have the ability to take me away to another world.

This time of year, when I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by all the holiday rush, I start thinking about how wonderful it would be to curl up on the couch or in my bed, under blankets, with a magnificent book, something I can't put down and sit up all night reading.

I want to be prepared when I finally get some time to live this fantasy.  Can someone recommend a good read?  What's been on your reading list lately?