Thanks wagga - I'll check these out for her. Since I got back from DV I've read Doctorow's Ragtime and am just finishing up Bellow's Henderson the Rain King. Both were enjoyable. I think I'll go the fun route next with Chabon's Kavalier & Clay - I read The Yiddish Policeman's Union a couple of years back and liked it.
Still waiting on the next volume of Martin's Ice and Fire saga to be published. May be a(nother) long wait.
