i asked this question to some people i regard as my mentors in life. what i got was a bit amusing and common sensical though.
here are the few of what i regard important among others...

1. The nutritional value of the foods you consume
2.The little prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: This to me is the one book you can read at any age and it will bring new meaning. Such a special one.
3. The Last Question by Isaac Asimov. He wrote a lot of goofy short stories that only served as setup for a pun; this is not one of those. The first time I ever read it I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. I've passed this on to so many people over the years just to see their reaction.
4. A driver manual: seriously, i doubt most people on the road do have it
5. Animal Farm by George Orwell
6. Candide by Voltaire. It's a quick read that's really funny and insightful
7. The alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
8.The Richest Man In Babylon

Yep those are eight of them in total.
i would like to here yours too!!