I finally started reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Pretty amusing stuff. I wonder why nobody has ever tapped this spaghetti western/horror/dark fantasy/scifi/epic quest genre before? It’s such an obvious choice, too. 
I’m currently reading The Gambler’s Fortune by Juliet McKenna, Cold Sassy Tree, House of Leaves and Snow Crash.
:: writing furiously ::
Laurell Hamilton – never hoid of her. That’s on the list. Ditto John Barth.
NACHO, those are some great suggestions, and MAEGLIN I’m writing yours down as well, though please reassure me this is book written in English, and not the ‘olde’ variety, either. 
The Womanly Art of Breastfee – um. Maybe later. Much later.
Thank you all for the great suggestions – please keep 'em coming.