I'm interested in the whole English Reformation period, but especially the Civil War(s), Parliament, the Protectorate, the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, conflicts in Scotland & Ireland, etc. I plan to read a lot more in the "long 17th century" but am hoping for some recommendations.

The thing is, to be honest, I have more of a layman's interest than a historian's interest. I've read through most of Woolrych's magisterial Britain in Revolution, and while it provides a great overview, I think what I'm really looking for are the more detailed, up close and personal and, well, entertaining looks at the period. Are there any "great reads" or "must reads" that are filled with detail, great writing and strong narrative? Any titles (or even articles) you've been known to recommend to non-specialists purely for their quality as writing? I'm looking for high-end entertainment value, narrative power, amazing prose (or poetry); basically the great stories of the era well told.

I've though about but haven't committed to reading Pepys' Diary, for example, or at least excerpts. Looks lively. Looking through the Cromwell Association's list of recommended books, I notice they say there are a number of local, town, county and regional studies and I wonder if any of those might be interesting to a non-specialist like myself. I've gone as far afield as picking up Walter Scott's Waverley, with its cavalier nostalgia and Jacobite politics; that one I'll eventually get to.

I did graduate work in English lit, though not in this period, but I have some experience with Milton, Marvell and Aphra Behn among the era's literary figures. Blair Worden's Literature and Politics in Cromwellian England looks interesting. But I'm also potentially interested in military studies, espionage, politics, religious beliefs, economics, culture, biographies of major figures, etc. The more I get into it the more I realize how huge the subject really is, and the more I feel at a loss as to where to go next.

Here's the short list of what I've read or have, to save you time, though I wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts on these as well: Austin Woolrych Britain in Revolution; Hill Century of Revolution; Hill The World Turned Upside Down (haven't finished); Jordan and Walsh The King's Revenge (haven't finished); Braddick God's Fury, England's Fire (haven't finished). I also have the complete works of Milton like I said, plus some Aphra Behn.