Generaly love Sci-fi and Fantasy but for sheer inspiration my favourites include 2 non fiction works by Ted Edwards - Beyond the last oasis and Fight the wild island. Ted is a Lancashire singer/songwriter, famous for such classics as Coalhole cavalry and Ladybird. He is also an explorer. The first book mentioned chronicles his crossing of the empty quarter of the Sahara desert with only 2 camels for company. The later his solo trek across Iceland. Both journeys nearly killed him and are testaments to both Teds brilliant storytelling abilities and to his amazing courage. Unfortunately Ted suffered 2 srokes some time back and his mobility is a little impaired but he still treats us with his poetry every now and again and is still managing to climb the odd mountain - what a guy!