The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. He has been writing this seven book series since 1982 and has only recently finished it in 2004. I can tell you it is one of the best literary works I have ever read. I started reading in High school and I am just finishing up the last book.

http://www.stephenking.com/DarkTower/

Being able to make creative analogies are a key component in problem solving, it seems to me that the more varied experiences you have, the more apt you are to be able to make those connections.

And of course there is the whole “you’ll lose perspective and nobody will want to be around you” argument too…:-)

It reminded me of some advice I was given recently that if one is interested in improving at photography one should talk to artists, and not other photographers.

I guess the same goes for technology. Perhaps to be a better developer we should be reading books on psychology or human interaction. Heck even something like architecture or product design might give better insight in to writing better software.

Andrew Vachss

Robert Parker (Spenser and so many others)

Dick Francis

Brad Thor

Sue Grafton

Lillian Jackson Braun

Christopher J. Boyle