Anathem is one of my all time favourite books! If I remember correctly (and if I have the right Stephenson book), I loved the fact that the sects were based upon the v very real mathematical camps of what defines the reality of mathematics! I also enjoyed very much the Baroque cycle as well!
Reading to my kids is the most time that I have in front of a book when I'm at home. Currently, it is Charlotte's Web and The Rainbow Fairies for the older, and where is the green sheep for the younger.