[ElSapo]

I think the Elmore Leondard suggestion was really good. He's written some stuff that is a lot of fun, and good quality.

Also, try Arturo Perez Reverte (earlier works), a book called "The 8" and older stuff like books by Walter Tevis and Gregory McDonald.

Anyone who enjoys reading is good in my book, so while I probably feel a bit of snobbishness based on the whole "anything but required reading" comment, these are serious suggestions. In my opinion, you can find a sort of middle ground, looking for books that are a bit heavier but still a lot of fun.

Of those, Perez-Reverte is a lot of fun (check out The Club Dumas, later made into the awful movie with Johnny Depp, "The Ninth Gate." It's very much in the same vein as Dan Brown). Also, "The 8" is a fast-paced adventure as well.

ElSapo