If you want fun and witty I would go for discworld novels. Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms had me laughing tears. I'm currently at Feet of Clay myself and I think those books are really good to get someone into reading.
As for important english literature I would recommend the usual suspects: Frankenstein, Dracula and Moby Dick left a lasting impression on me. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett was really good too.
Ongoing bet with think-man: He wins if MH4 releases in any shape or form on PSV in 2013, I win if it doesn't.








