depends what genre - i like Kamov, Kafka (process, metamorphosis), Coelho (alchemist), Hemingway (for whom the bells toll, old man and the sea), when was kid especially liked Jules Verne, Exupery's little prince etc...
also like many sf novels but don't remember the authors, from horror genre i liked Clive Barker's Hellraiser and his short stories and Lovecraft isn't bad also.
Tolkien is good also when it was rather unknown before the films and the hysteria - read 3 tower in one day - just made breaks to eat
but i think his work now gets somewhat blown out of proportions
there are many good books out there to read i just don't have the time lately.

stupid faculty, i read only biochemistry and physiology books now...