What writers read

Some time ago, a friend, who seemed pretty interested in going through the contents of the bookshelf in my dorm, told me "I want to know what writers like to read."
Fair enough.
The book collection in my dorm consists of textbooks which probably won't be touched again until absolutely necessary (except perhaps the history one), a small collection of historical political writings/the IPLE writers (Locke, Rousseau, Machiavelli, Erasmus), selected British novels from that killer of an English class (Dorian Gray, Portrait of the Artist, Brideshead), and my own books.
But, as I told my friend, that shelf is not an entirely accurate depiction of this particular writer's reading habits.

Having spewed out 3.5 novels, I have somewhat of an understanding of what writers typically like to read. Quite generally, the shelves would probably consist of:

Shakespeare, Pulitzer, Jane Eyre, history books

more history, Chinese books, Somerset Maugham books

Lots and lots of old books, to study the styles and elements that have stood the test of time, to see the numerous ways language can and has been used. As I tell my students all the time, writing is wordplay, and nothing gives more interesting examples of wordplay than old books.

Twilight, Harry Potter, James Patterson, Bill Clinton
Romeo & Juliet, Monte Cristo, Narnia

Contemporaries, just to see what other people are writing at the same time as you are. Read the good, the bad, and the exceptional, and figure out why they are the way they are.

At least that's what's on my bookshelf at home, and the reasonings behind why they're there (besides for the simple joy of reading).

Most importantly though, after having written so much, reading becomes more than just for enjoyment, or for seeking knowledge. It becomes an exercise in analysis of success and enchantment, a study of the very mystique that captivates human minds through the simple presence of ink on a page.