A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor

I listened to the programmes and was desperate to see the objects talked about, and I learned so very much about world history from this truly global history of human kind in 100 objects stretching right back to the very first human use of stone tools right up to the present day. I enjoyed its non euro centric focus and I liked the pictures, they are of lovely quality and if you wanted to see more you could make the pilgrimage to the British Museum. Although by definition idiosyncratic MacGregor's selections opened my eyes.

Labyrinth by Kate Mosse

Mosse's great page turner opens in the French Pyrenees in July 2005 when Alice Turner, a volunteer at an archaeological dig, spots a belt buckle and on digging it out dislodges a large rock which falls away to reveal the entrance to a mysterious cave.  Inside are the skeletons of two people lying on a labyrinth and Alice's story becomes increasingly intertwined with that of Alais, an 11th century noblewoman caught up in the persecution of the Christian sect of Cathars by the Catholic Church.  A really good entertaining read