Fiction-but-based-on-real-events: This Blinding Absence of Light by Tahar Ben Jalloun. It's actually quite depressing but you know, makes you feel grateful for the fact that you can do things like stand up, or look out the window.
Fiction: The Restaurant At The End Of the Universe by Douglas Adams. Sequel to the Hitch-hiker's guide but more interesting and funny I think.
Honourable mentions: Frankenstein and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Non-fiction: Factfulness by Hans Rosling. Amazing book with amazing information within. My all-time favourite. Basically shows that the world is much better-off than you think it is and how we have a propensity to see the world in a dramatic but inaccurate light. It will definitely challenge some preconceived notions.