Baroque Cycle

For anyone looking for something new (and different) to read, I'd suggest the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson. I tackled it about a year and half ago and really really enjoyed it. One warning, the entire thing runs almost 3000 pages so clear some time. I bring this up because the entire thing is reviewed here.
On a personal note, reading actual professional reviews like this make me feel that the distinction between amateur and professional critic really is quite large. I hope you'll look at my efforts as little appetizers or something like that. Not being down on myself, just recognizing the distinction.