By Anne Deeter Gallaher

In our rapid-fire, digital generation, content comes to us—faster and from more sources than ever before. Regardless of its origin—Twitter, Google Reader, The Wall Street Journal, or your favorite blog—information is still king and great books are still treasures. Whether you’re a Gen Y in your first job, an On-Ramper who’s re-entering the workforce after raising children, or an executive in high gear, these five literary and corporate standouts will challenge your thinking and drive your differentiation.