he knows i'm not against poetry

Lists are one of the things that keep my life on track (that, & remembering to drink water...geez). To that end, I'm going to have to start keeping lists again, because even though it's summer I still have plenty to do.

Another list I want, though, is the perennial list that never seems to actually exist: The list of Books I Want To/Should Read. If confronted with an actual title, I'll remember that I wanted to read that one, & I'll check it out of the library; but I can never remember any titles to search for when I go. So here's my question to you:
What's some favorite/classic/necessary books that you think I really should read?
I'm fairly open on genre, really; I enjoy everything from trashy fantasy novels to historical fiction to non-fiction books on archeology or what-have-you--as well as plays you reccomend; I'd really like to get my theatrical literacy up. I just want to read something that isn't assigned. Any ideas?