Great book. Unfairly derided by some as high brow chick lit. Anyway, my pick: "Soldier of the Great War" by Mark Helprin.
I've always wanted to get around to reading some of his novels, but have been daunted by the size.
Maybe next year.
I can vouch for Sowell on the Lewis recommendations though, his two most recent volumes are essential reading about the precipitous decline of Islamic civilization.