[wourme]

Unfortunately, having to read a novel for school can hurt the experience of reading that book and even reading in general. I read constantly, but even with some books I really want to read I don't get to them right away--they sit on my shelf until the day that I feel like reading them. Some of my very favorite books are ones that some people have to read for school. I wonder whether my experience with them would have been different had I been assigned to read them.

I like fantasy literature, but I certainly don't read it to escape--I think real life is a lot of fun. Game of Thrones was mentioned in this thread--that's one that I'm always in the mood for when the next book comes out. I don't know that I'd say I'm addicted, as I've read the whole series pretty gradually (having to wait years between books), but I certainly find it compelling. I second HarveyQ's criticism of the series, though. George R.R. Martin has some other things that are also excellent, such as the stand-alone novel Fevre Dream and the short stories Sandkings and House of the Worm.

Kant and Nietzsche might not be the best place to start with philosophy. Kant especially is quite difficult to read when you're not used to that sort of thing. I'd recommend this book as an introduction to philosophy:

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Philosophy-Classical-Contemporary-Readings/dp/0195112040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316286585&sr=8-1

Any edition is probably fine, but this is the one I have and it's very cheap used.