Infernal Devices trilogy and Bookman trilogy duly added to Amazon basket, though I’m not sure when I’ll get to read them, what with the Bryant and May series and Dopy Mick to get through first. 🙂
Regarding nautical novels – Have you read the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O Brian? The film Master and Commander is a very good introduction (though, as it wasn’t pertinent to the plot, it didn’t cover Doctor Maturin being not only a surgeon and a philanthropist, but also a spy for the Admiralty).
‘Must read’ books – I discovered Winter’s Tale by Mark Helpern when I was 22 and it has been my favourite book ever since, read roughly every 3 years. Every time the story leaves me feeling emotionally wrung out – like I’ve just experienced a grand feast of the imagination. (Much to my disgust it was recently ruined in a dreadful film that I do not recommend!