Preacher by Garth Ennis
I've already rambled a bit about this one. Basically, there's this preacher who gets possessed by the unnatural spawn of an angel and a demon. Not good, right? So he goes on a very Western-like quest to get rid of the little bugger. The series consists of ten graphic novels, and it made me question and then reaffirm my faith, which is always a good exercise for anyone. But beware- it's a tad vulgar.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
This novel tells the story of Michael Valentine Smith, a "martian" who's actually a human who just grew up on Mars. Crazy, huh? Anyways, there is a truly amazing amount of love-for-one's-neighbor within the story. But know this- you'll probably have to read it at least a couple of times before you grok it.
The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
Yes, the main character is a ginger named Clary. No, this is not why I ADORE this series. Okay, maybe it has something to do with it. But I mean, with a ginger protagonist, it has to be good, right? Right. Anyways, this is your basic teen-angst-fantasy series. It's better than Twilight, not as good as Harry Potter, but still fantastic- though I will admit it is a beach-books type read. The first three books are out, the next three to come out in the next two years. There is also a prequel series coming out as well.
The Abhorsen Series by Garth Nix
This is my favorite series from middle school. I'm not even going to try to explain the plot, mostly because I'd have to use jargon that doesn't really make sense in a two-sentence summary. The series- which consists of three books, Sabriel, Lireal, and Abhorsen- is in your face fantasy, but don't let that dissuade you. It's absolutely fabulous.
The Great Gatsby, The Love of the Last Tycoon, and This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Everyone needs a little Fitzgerald in their life. Is he a tad depressing? Maybe. But his use of language is phenomenal and his look at American life during the first half of the 20th century is unique and revealing. And readers can learn from all of his characters. Gatsby shows how to not go about loving someone; Stahr displays how to be a workaholic with a soul; Amory acts out the arrogant impulses of American youth. What's even better is that most of these are in the public domain, so you can find the full texts for free somewhere online.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The story is told by Charlie, a socially awkward teenager, through letters to an anonymous character. Basically a great coming of age novel, though seriously heart-wrenching at the end. I've read this book three times. Read it, love it, repeat.
As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway
Basic " boy meets goth girl, courts goth girl, goth girl disappears" plot. But another great coming of age novel. AND there's this fun interactive website that corresponds with the mystery aspect of it. Once again, read it, love it, repeat.
Looking For Alaska by John Green
Obscene, vulgar, amusing, insightful... Yet another coming of age novel. And yet again, read it, love it, repeat.
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
I don't really care if you don't like fantasy novels, or if you think "kid's books" are "beneath you." The Harry Potter series is one of the most influential and widely read series of the past half century. As such, active and "well read" members of society should read at least the first novel so as to have an informed stance on the books. It has marked a generation just like Star Wars marked generations before ours. If you haven't read it, take action to rectify such a grievous oversight at once.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
It's actually a trilogy, consisting of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay; they all definitely have a futuristic dystopia type theme. The series follows the actions of Katniss, who unwittingly starts a rebellion when she outsmarts a brutality-filled entertainment event called the hunger games where young children are forced to fight to the death in a survivor type scenario. It sounds rather horrifying, but trust me- it's addictive (and not in the voyeuristic type of way).
1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
These are both dystopia novels- 1984 talks about a government oppression based on poverty, Brave New World speaks of one based on vice. Both are excellent in their own right. Read 1984 and you'll no longer take for granted written words. Dive into Brave New World you won't ever look at your smartphone the same way again. -shudder-
The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
I love Anne Rice's writing style. Everyone's allowed a few irrationals and a few inexplicables; well my love for these books is one of my inexplicables. Just read a few, alright? My favorites are The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, and Memnoch the Devil.
The Bible
Okay, here me out before you start disagreeing. The Bible is one of the oldest texts we have, as well as one of the most influential. If you believe everything in your handy dandy Gideon, great! Kudos to you. But if you don't (and thus think you needn't read the Bible), remember this: a great deal of the rhetoric we use in our literature and day-to-day language can be traced back to scripture. Read a couple of books from both the old and new testaments, if for no other reason than to be well informed and to pay homage to language.
