What I'm reading right now is the first Potter book. I wasn't sure I would like it, but early on a boa constrictor winks at Harry, and Harry winks back -- I've been liking it much since that point on, because that is exactly what you should do if a snake winks at you. Wink back.

Dr. Wortle's School was very pleasant, but nowhere near the full-force Trollopian experience of the Barchester books.

Henry V was tremendous. I had read it before, but had not done so w/o having read parts one and two of Henry IV, which makes Harry (not Harry P., Harry V) such an incredible, incredible character. That journey from hobbledehoy to man is something.