Whenever I read or hear about the benefits and drawbacks of using an e-reader, inevitably it's brought up that no one can see what you are reading, enabling the sophisticated-but-self-aware to engage in "guilty pleasure" reading. And I do understand there are people who like to read trashy novels. There are a lot more copies of crap on bookstore shelves than works of Tolstoy or Kafka.

But then again, there are book series like The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, which seemingly fits the guilty-pleasure bill. For one thing, it's written so a seventh grader should be able to read it. For another, you can plow through one of these in an afternoon. The books are compelling and story-driven, but not so intense that you can't put them down. The characters are charming. And best of all, it's hardly embarrassing. I can think of nothing better to have while lounging at the beach or stuck on an airplane.

This book series is wonderful.