A portrait of the artist as a young man by Joyce
and Moby **** by Melville
A little too "Classic" maybe but I was educated by the Jesuits and both books were perfect for the time I read them. First in my middle teens, second in middle 20s. Now that I just hit mid 30s, looking for the next one.
As an aside I've recently read a bunch of Benedict XVI's books and while obviously they wont be everyones' cup of tea, I find it hard not to be impressed by the depth of his philosophy and thought.