KEROUAC KEROUAC KEROUAC!
On the Road is probably his most influential, it's a good introduction to his style of writing, though not his best work. Dharma Bums is the most enjoyable and fun; Desolation Angels takes place right after Dharma Bums and is lenghy, but good. Big Sur is probably one of his best written ones, has the most emotion and style I may say. All don't have plot per se, they are just happenings in his life, however they are very interesting, well written, and pretty easy to get through, especially Dharma Bums.
Naked Lunch is difficult, but very good. I'm sure if you've read Junky and such you'll be fine with it.
Bukowski is good, I may recommend Ham on Rye, that was very well written, however it is the only work of his I've read so don't take the opinion too well.
If you read (and please do) Dharma Bums and enjoyed the character Japhy enough, know that Japhy is the book name for Gary Snyder, he has a book of poems titled Turtle Island, it is some of the most accessable poetry I have found, got the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in '75.
Also, though not a Beatnik, definately read Vonnegut. I would recommend Slaughter House 5, Breakfast of Champions, and Cat's Cradle. Very creative, funny, fast paced and incredible. One of my favorites.
If you're looking to stuff near the time of Beatniks, Tom Wolfe's Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is very good, though some of the information is said to be inaccurate. Still, it's a good read, all about the formation of hippies with Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters and such. Afterwards read One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest by Kesey, it's much more interesting after the Acid Test book.
