1984 has a lot to teach, and you could argue we've not learned them as history is rewritten, thoughts outlawed and truth redefined by our politicians and media.
But I'd agree that BNW has more to teach us about today - lots of us are losing/have lost the ability to think much beyond our next pleasurable experience.
Cosmos - helped me fall in love with Physics, and the sciences.
Tao Teh Ching - If I could tell you how it influenced me, we'd both have the wrong impression.