The following are all worthy reads that you probably won't encounter in high school.  When you have a chance, try and read some.

Michael Cricthon books:

Prey, Next, Timeline, Rising Sun--  Actually all his books are pretty good page turners filled with info and detail.

Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything-  Applied economics for the masses.  Economsit Levitt and journalist Dubner examine some strange datas and present some theories and proofs to  entertain, shock and enlighhten.

James Loewen

Lies my Teacher Told Me:Everything Your History Textbook Got Wrong - The title says it all.   Ask me no questions........

Howard Zinn

A People's History of the United States:1492-Present.      Similar to the above book by Loewen.  Zinn examines history not from the viewpoint of the State but from the p.o.v. of the little person, and how they were affected by the State.  A little dull to read, yet very interesting (How very Zen).  

Ken Kesey

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest- Great story. 

Barbara Kingsolver

Pigs in Heaven-   If you loved The Bean Trees like me, you may want to check up with Taylor Greer and Turtle again in this novel.

Dan Brown

Deception Point-   Another hard to put down adrenaline rush from the man who gave us Angels and Demons and some book about a code.  This one won't disappoint.

W.P. Kinsells-

Shoeless Joe-   A classic.  This book was the base for the movie Field of Dreams. A must for baseball fans.  If you read it..............

Jon Krakauer

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith-  Krakauer set out to investigate and report on a violent murder in Utah.   To fully understand the motives he needed to dive in and research the Mormon faith.