I Like…
Gadgets
The Amazon Kindle (review) is a truly awesome reading device!
I also use a Lenovo ThinkPad X200 (review) ultraportable for my day-to-day work.
Audio
Henry Kloss Model Two
Out of all the stereo speaker systems I’ve listened to, nothing beats the sound of the Model Two system from Tivoli Audio. The set is small, sounds amazing, and it looks good to boot. It does a great job of filling the room as far as “throwing sound” is concerned, and it boasts excellent midrange reproduction as well. Throw in the Model Subwoofer for bass and you’ve got what I think is the best tabletop stereo/radio combination money can buy. They also work great as computer speakers (which is what I use mine for). For satellite radio fans, there’s the Model Satellite and a CD-player console is also available.
Peripherals
The Logitech G15 is a great keyboard, not only for its excellent keyboard layout and general feel, but for its eighteen programmable macro keys, backlit keys, and flip-up LCD screen, which can be used for everything from tracking statistics in games to monitoring a Ventrillo/TeamSpeak server to offering an interface for iTunes while you’re working in another application. The LCD screen is a lot more useful than I originally figured it would be; it proves invaluable for monitoring who’s talking on voice chat servers and there are two dedicated groups of enthusiasts that write programs for it at the G15 Forums and G15 Mods.
If you’re more of a purist and like the old IBM Model M’s mechanical keyswitches, give the DAS Keyboard Professional a try. I’ve been using this since my G15 wore out (I use my keyboard a lot).
Every keyboard needs a mouse to go with it, and I’m partial to the Logitech G5 v2, a laser-based unit equipped with sensitivity adjustment buttons (up to 2000dpi), vertical and horizontal scroll wheel, two thumb buttons, and adjustable weight cartridge. A textured surface helps improve grip during those intense spreadsheet or gaming sessions. Since I originally wrote this blurb, my RSI issues have flared up a bit and I’m using an Evoulent VerticalMouse3 instead. It’s a great buy if you’re concerned with strain on your hands and wrists.
Software
ImgBurn is an awesome CD/DVD/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD burning program.
SlySoft Game Jackal allows the creation of no-CD “profiles” for games that take up a fraction of the space that a 700MB image would. It used to be inexpensive at $5 a license, but now costs $29.99. If you play a lot of games, especially on a laptop, it’s totally worth the price.
For instant messaging, few things can beat Digsby. It works with all major instant messaging services, and includes support for Facebook and Twitter.
Comics and Books
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman (ten paperback volumes or four hardcover anthologies)
A Game of Thrones and the rest of the titles in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley and Ron Powers
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin