I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter

What it is: I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter
Why I should read it: Hofstadter wrote Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid. GEB and just a few other books are almost entirely responsible for my career. If he can do it once, let's read the next one and see what happens.
Who told me to read it: Amazon.

The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater

What it is: The Conscience of a Conservative
Why I should read it:
Who told me to read it:

Something by Stanislav Lem

Who told me to read it: Please see the linked blog post.

The Illuminatus Trilogy -- Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson

What it is: The trilogy is a satirical, postmodern, science fiction-influenced adventure story; a drug- and sex-laden trek through a number of conspiracy theories, both historical and imaginary, which hinge around the authors' version of the Illuminati. (That whole sentence was stolen from the wikipedia page)
Why I should read it:
Who told me to read it: The Church of the SubGenius

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom -- Cory Doctrow

What it is: a book
Why I should read it:

(13:25:55) Rich : have you read any Cory Doctorow?
(13:26:01) Aaron : nope
(13:26:46) Rich : He's got very original, very engaging concepts, but his lack of editing and tendency to create unbelievable characters is very frustrating
(13:27:38) Rich : I'd say the only one worth reading is Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
(13:29:11) Rich : humanity solves the problems of death and scarcity of resources, abolished work, etc...
(13:29:34) Rich : which is great to read about, because it's very imaginative, especially his concepts of an economy based on merit and respect as the currency
(13:29:40) Rich : but the actual story is disposable

Who told me to read it: Rich

Wise Blood -- Flannery O'Connor

What it is: A story of a man's search for god.
Why I should read it: It was a Christmas present.
Who told me to read it: Zakk

Something by Marcel Proust

What it is: Something by Marcel Proust
Why I should read it: The book buying monkey on my back said so.
Who told me to read it: The Book Monkey