[TheWorstPlayer]

Presidential biographies in general, Truman specifically. I know you're English but they are still REALLY cool people with REALLY cool stories.

Also books about South Africa like My Traitor's Heart and Country of my Skull. Really scary, but really interesting.

Edit: OK, I read the thread and see you're not too interested in history. In that case, I recommend "Why Things Bite Back: The Science and Technology of Unintended Consequences". Very awesome book about how a lot of technological advances have actually hurt lifestyle and comfort instead of helped.