'Good books look at the world from unexpected angles'

Agatha Christie's books and the short stories of HP Lovecraft; it doesn't seem to matter how many times I've read them or how well I know the endings.

What book(s) are you currently reading?
Currently I'm reading The Fireman by Joe Hill; a horror story out this summer from an author I have been following now for the better part of a decade - he's come close before, but I hope that this is the book which finally breaks him fully into the mainstream.
What are the books that changed your life and shaped your outlook?
Recently it would be Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, but overall my outlook and approach to life has been affected most by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. And that's not just for their humour; I believe that good books look at the world from unexpected angles and see problems as they are. There's also a lot to be said for not taking yourself too seriously.
What books would you pass onto your kids to read and treasure?
There are so many books that I would want my children to read and that I would like to read to them. Although I'm not sure if I would trust them with all of my treasured editions, there are stories that every kid should know; Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter (of course) and everything by Roald Dahl.
Books that you never tire of reading and re-reading?
Agatha Christie's books and the short stories of HP Lovecraft; it doesn't seem to matter how many times I've read them or how well I know the endings. These books are my go-to for comfort reading.
A book you believe every person must pick up at ?least once?
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace; pick it up, read as far as you can and then put it back on the 'good intentions' bookshelf. You can substitute Infinite Jest for Ulysses or the works of Proust - the main thing being that you have a daunting challenge of a read at hand, if you need it.
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