I loved reading through Walden, and some of his other essays, namely "Walking". My probably-misplaced opinion on Thoreau is that is a very talented writer but a bit of a nut-job. His views are often rather polarized and/or extreme, which by the end of Walden makes him seem like an eccentric old man living in the woods for confusing reasons, opposing the reality of being an intelligent young man with sound and substantial reasons.

This article however casts a new light on Thoreau, showing a side of him I think I completely missed the first time through. I will probably give his stuff another go around in the next year.

As for suggestions, Walden is very pleasant. I favored more the small interactions he has with the local wildlife or other small musings, rather than the social commentary, but still overall a very nice, cozy read.