Hunger Games (shameful I know that I haven't gotten to it, but I want to read before the movie comes out)
Game of Thrones series (I did not realise how much I am into mythological stories, but I really enjoy this series and can't wait to read the books.)
The Ernest Hemingway short stories (I am heartbroken for you Vienna that you gave up your copy, but what a great choice!)
I'm putting these on my short list. As a side note, Crystal, I totally agree with you that a textbook is another great answer to Anthony's question of books you can put down and pick up again based on their design. I find that design books in particular, by their nature make this easy. I am going through A Designer's Research Manual for another class right now, and I love the fact that it is seperated by lots of content dividers etc that allows me to thumb through and pick out what I want to read at any given point.
