(I used Cormen as my algorithms textbook in college, too, but never heard it referred to as 'CLRS' until just now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Algorithms)

edit: Ah, i see why. Stein wasn't listed as an author until a later edition. I guess I did refer to it as 'CLR' on occasion.

Sorry, I should have been more specific.CLR is a great book, but it is too referential IMO. I am looking for an easier reading.

I always liked Robert Sedgewick's books.

http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~rs/

Thanks for recommending that. I'll probably pick up his latest algorithms book.

The latest book (4th edition) though a book in the same series is not exactly in the same vein as the earlier editions. It is toned down and uses Java. I would recommend the 3rd edition based on C or C++. If you are really new to data structures and algorithms then go with the 4th ed. otherwise the 3rd. Also check out Bruno Priess's book which tackles data structures with a lot of object-oriented concepts (can be a bit of academic overload).

My personal favorites are Sedgewick's C and Priess's C++ books and for algorithms, the Algorithm Design Manual.