Not life-changing, but definitely compulsive enough for you to bore people with. Which is kind of the point.
Having worked in Waterstone's for five years (as a post-graduation stop-gap job. Smooth) I came across loads of quality reads, but the ones that stand out are quite shamelessly populist. So whilst I may come across as a poor man's Judy Finnegan (try to shake that mental image), these are the ones that truly floated my metaphorical boat.

1. Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruis Zafon
This was a Richard and Judy book, so shame on me, but was absolutely amazing. Delicately plotted, and a translated book that actually manages to retain a sense of humour. Decent amount of violence and sex with blind people as well. Hurrah.

2. American Gods - Neil Gaiman
The book that managed to convince me that Fantasy wasn't just for bespectacled spotty gimps sporting poor-quality facial hair. Intricately structured, and a nice twist at the end that you completely forget has been set up. Magic.

3. Human Punk - John King
Author of 'The Football Factory', but don't hold that against him. Boston Kickout meets Stand By Me, with a shit-load of punk and a great soudntrack thrown in for good measure. And without Danny sodding Dyer. Arsehole.

4. Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
The bastard offspring of Blackadder and The Grifters, with a pinch of Snatch (so to speak), some great insults, worryingly inventive torture scenes, and a complete lack of reticence towards killing people off. Jackpot. WARNING: enthusiasm about this book can cause you to pull customers. Fact.
(Nimrod's Son Boredom provokes some interesting habits..., Fri 16 May 2008, 13:17, 1 reply)

Erm...
Are you me?



Quite scared now.

Also if you like Scott Lynch I recommend Joe Abercrombie if you've not read it already.
(Milo Minderbinder, Mon 19 May 2008, 10:30, closed)