<p>I have read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged twice. Once in 9th grade (where I go the gist of it), and once in my senior year for an outside reading analysis paper. I am currently reading The Scarlet Letter (for post-AP English class), Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography (for post-AP English class), Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, just finished Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson, and the 9/11 Commission Report is on my bedside table.
Don't diss the Rand!! She proposes a completely unrealistic world (and in essense, she promotes realism) juxtaposed to highly unlikely (but attainable) characters in order to push her philsophy. I know I'm only saying this because I am a fan, but I've found that taking some of the ideas from Objectivism and applying them to my life has been a great help.</p>