In response to the challenge, I give three books, with a little explanation for each. I couldn't decide to recommend only fiction or nonfiction, so I gave three books, each in a different category -- one fiction, one theological, and one literary criticism -- all three of which have affected my thinking. Consequently, this is the order in which I first read them.
1) The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
A novel about a non-conformist architect, this novel follows the protagonist and the main antagonist in their parallel lives. Based mostly on Rand's ideals of Objectivism (her self-made philosophy), this book is a full of story, literary greatness, and provocative concepts to make the reader think.
2) Four Views on Hell edited by William Crockett
Based on Christian views of Hell, this book explores the four major ways of approaching the subject: literal, metaphorical, purgatorial, and conditional. Each chapter is written by the proponent of one of the views, followed by brief responses by each of the other three writers. A good book for anyone interested in Christian theology/philosophy, especially the nature and views of Hell in Christian circles.
3) Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays by Northrop Frye
Four essays on critical thought, drawing on much previous criticism and the tradition of literary history. These four essays touch on historical, ethical, archetypal, and rhetorical criticism as Frye looks at Western literature as forming one great arc of tradition -- difficult to summarize in short, but worth the read for anyone interested in literary theory.
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