The funnest book I read recently Snow Crash by Niel Stephenson. His book Diamond age is also a good one for people that like online games.
Frank Herbert's Man of two worlds was a great book to read for gaining insight into the RP of a shifter. So was Zelazniy's Amber books for that matter. All of Frank Herbert's and his son Brian Herbert's Dune books are totally awesome. Most of my character's "Old wild elf sayings" is a mix of Fremen and Zen quotes that I liked a lot.
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is one of my all time favorite fantasy novels.
One of the things I do during rare moments that I am not on Layo is volunteer for an organization called books to prisoners. I get a lot of requests for D&D book and related fantasy novels. While often can find a Forgotten realms or Dragonlance novel to send them, we never have roleplaying books to send
One guy tripped me out when he asked for books on how to become a better criminal, special forces training, hand to hand combat, medieval warfare, Nazis, how to score with women, magic tricks, and baking cakes. Umm, I felt I was sending books to the anti-christ. Though, I did find some books that I felt were "safe" and not promoting evil behavior.
AeonBlues