Joseph Campbell: The Power of Myth
Overused, but good for getting back to the basics when you're lost.
Alan Moore: The Mirror of Love
I don't think I get it entirely, but it's beautiful. Erotic, yet sensible enough to live on your coffee table.
Malcolm Gladwell: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
A good primer on why trusting your gut is good.
Ted Allen: The Food You Want to Eat: 100 Smart, Simple Recipes
Not exactly diet-friendly. But hey, good advice on scallops!
Augusten Burroughs: Dry: A Memoir
Yeah, yeah. Everyone loves Augusten. Still, we've all got our demons to battle; his are just funnier.
Michael Chabon: Wonder Boys: A Novel
A writer attempts to reconcile his life, his work, and his addiction. I think I can relate. Mysteries of Pittsburgh is also incredible.
Giada De Laurentiis: Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes
You know the skinny little thing doesn't eat her recipes; that said, she provides the secret to a pannacotta that will knock your socks off. Wow.
Annabelle Gurwitch: Fired!: Tales of the Canned, Canceled, Downsized, & Dismissed
Pretty funny stuff that pulls my life into sharply-drawn perspective.
Marc Acito: How I Paid for College : A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship & Musical Theater
This could have been my childhood. Overdramatic friends, lifechanging theatrical experiences, crushes on heterosexual boys, and a senior year of high school full of unbelievable stories.