When My kids came home from school and said that "someone" named my first novel, 'The Deep End of the Ocean,' the second most influential book of the past 25 years -- second only to Harry Potter -- I thought they had me confused with Mitch Albom.

But it was true. USA Today named the Top Ten Most Influential Books of the past 25 years (not the best, mind you) and said that both J.K. Rowlings' instant classics and my book -- because it was the first of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club books -- changed the face of reading in the United Stated.

Changed the face of reading.

That made even me proud.

And even though I fervently wish I had the 263 million dollaras it was estimated that Ms. Rowlings made for the first Harry, well, at least I was atop 'The DaVinci Code.' (I fervently wish I had that bounty, too, greedy little philanthropist I am.)

You can see the story if you hit the 'News and Notes' section on this site.

I had a glass of grape juice and went back to work. But it was one of the only times I saw my kids' faces gleam with approval for my work.

That was worth it.

Jackie M.