The last really good book I read was The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Really interesting and well written. The author never wrote another book...just this one.
I also highly recommend Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. AWESOME story. Just loved it. I think it was her best.
All the books by Jan Karon are wonderful and delightfully written. If you haven't read any of her books, start with At Home in Mitford. Although the author is a female, she writes in first person as a man character, Father Tim.
Hope all goes well with your surgery. Do your exercises afterwards!