Easy as pi

I've been reading Life Of Pi by Yann Martel recently. I'm really not very far into it, but I'm already completely captivated. I tend to pick up books in bookshops on a near random basis, and whilst I don't necessarily judge the books by their covers, I do love browsing them - say what you will about the large book chains that have come to dominate the highstreets, but being able to walk in, pick up a book and start reading it is a huge plus. There are very few books I've found this way that I haven't derived some enjoyment from and to date there has only been one that I truely, truely loathed. Similarly though, there have only really been a handful of books I've discovered this way that I've taken to heart.

Thinking now about the books I have loved, a great many of them were recommendations from friends and relatives, including Life Of Pi. As I've said before, I'll plug things here on the basis that I want to share the things I've liked, loved or simply been fascinated by. But, quid pro quo, I'd also appreciate any recommendations you have to offer. About anything really - I trust your judgement after all (well, until I have cause to do otherwise).

I should point out that I'm not prepared to recommend Life Of Pi just yet (I haven't finished it, after all), but I am genuinely impressed with Yann Martel's writing so far. The voice his protagonist, Pi, is given is utterly believable and also quite beguiling - I suspect this is a book that I will be rather sad to finish.