A bit more information would be helpful -
what age is the reader? what are the readers interests? can you define brilliant? what exactly are your needs?
: age: around 18
: interested in all sorts...
Fever Pitch - Nick Hornby. One of the best Football books there is.
A History of the World's Most Popular Game by Mark Stewart
Soccer : How to Play the Game-- The Official Playing and Coaching...
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain
Or, more modern: "On the Road" by Jack KeroakOr, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S. ThompsonOr, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis...