I really enjoyed Life of Pi, everybody in my book group did too, though we all had a difficult time getting through the first section (before they get on the boat). The ending was a little disturbing if you believe "he did" but if you believe his story, not so much. I love that aspect of the book, that reality is dependent on who's experiencing it. I also loved the idea of all the "lost" critters in urban areas. I thought of the book the other night when we heard some LARGE animal crawling through the bushes outside our bedroom window.

I read Wicked quite a while ago. I don't remember being overly impressed. I consider it a good brain cleanser for after a more involved book. Now that the author has a whole series of fairy tale retellings it just seems sort-of gimmicky.