mbillie,
a recent book (from last year) that I've been raving about
:
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
http://www.amazon.com/Special-Topics.../dp/067003777X
The Amazon reviews are pretty good, except that the people who don't like it are dumb. They're right that it's long and "pretentious" and weird, but I thought it was also great and hilarious and brilliant and from what I know of your online personality I think you would too. (I'd also guess you've probably heard of this book already, so I'll stop now.)