Brief Answers to the Big Questions is a wonderful collection of the late Stephen Hawking's musings on the "Big Questions". Not everyone will agree with all of his views, but it's difficult not to be inspired by the cosmic journey Hawking transports you through, and the heartfelt optimism he has for the future of humanity.
Black Hole Fun
If it's possible to have a favourite astronomical object, I'm sure black holes would be fairly high on everyone's list. You can't escape from one, you can't know what's inside one, and they're invisible - what could possibly be more terrifying and exciting to talk about?