The best book you've ever read.

[Cowabungaa]

The original Dune.

The intricate plot, the amazing characters, the way it's written, especially how the dialogue is written... All combined it felt like porn for my intellect, and that official diner scene was the most tense thing I've ever read. I was holding my breath during that part.

I'm almost done with Children of Dune now, and I must say, none of the Dune books I've read so far are as good as the original.

 

[stvncpr236]

Even though I haven't quite finished it yet, I'd have to say mine is The Dragonbone Chair, by Tad Williams. An epic Tolkeinesque fantasy that is the first part in a trilogy called Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.

 

[Wilko316]

I'm still in the middle of reading it but The Mind and the Brain by Jefferey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley.

 

[ezzawesome]

CATCH 22, Joseph Heller

 

[Manji187]

The Name of the Wind. Masterfully written fantasy that just blew my mind, I have never seen such a good story and especially characters in any book, game or a movie.

True. Can't wait to get my hands on The Wise Man's Fear.

 

[Blitzwarp]

Commercial fiction: Eye of the World.
Classic literature: Frankenstein.
Play: Hamlet.
Not-a-book-but-should-be-in-the-curriculum-at-school/college: Watchmen.

I like this response format so I'm pinching it. :3

Commercial Fiction: "Jingo" by Terry Pratchett.
Classic Literature: "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë.
Play: "King Lear" by Shakespeare, or "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller.
Not-a-book-but-should-be-in-the-curriculum-at-school/college: "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for being a perfect blend of Crime fiction and Gothic literature.

 

[Womplord]

I might have to say the 'Eragon' books by Christopher Paolini. Or maybe the foundation series, or enders game... there's too many to choose from.

Also some wonderful short stories: The Last Question by Isaac Asimov and Hell is the Absence of God by Ted Chiang.

 

[VanillaBean]

Well I can't answer your question but i'll definitly answer the thread.

House of the Scorpion
Enders Game
Watchmen (yes this counts)
Artemis Fowl (book one) and Artemis Fowl and The Lost Colony (book five)

 

[Verlander]

For pure, unbridled joy while reading it, I have to say Night Watch by Terry Pratchett. Reading it is such an enjoyable experience, I have to go out of my way not to read it, so I don't over do it.

 

[Ldude893]

Aside from books by George Orwell and the Star Wars EU novel The Death Star, one of the most influential books I've read was the graphic novel Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. It's what got me hooked into striving for a career at making graphic novels.

And of course there's the Harry Potter series.

 

[imaloony]

The Hunger Games by Susan Collins. It's a fantastic book filled with emotion that ties you to the main character extremely well. Not to mention that it leads into the best trilogy I've seen in my life, with tons of twists and turns that you won't expect.
Or, to put it in better terms: When I pick reading a book over playing a video game, it's a damn good book.

 

[ilessthanthreetea]

Modern: 100 strokes of the brush before bed (its a bit saucy)
Classic: Catcher in the Rye
Play: Death of a Salesman
Comic: Priest, now they are screwing it over with a film that doesn't even go along the same lines.

 

[matell]

God-Emperor of Dune, by Frank Herbert, best SF ever IMO

 

[spartan231490]

So I've been in this samey mystery after mystery after mystery rut for a while now, All I've read in the past 6 months or so is Dean Koontz. He's an amazing writer and if you've never looked into him you should check him out. But I'm really looking for something a little darker. This might sound a little dumb but I want something dark and possibly depressing, that's what I'm requesting but this is a general book thread, talk about your favorite books.

Some of the Chris Crutcher books can get pretty dark, but they usually pick up at the end. Deadline is probably the worst, and definitely has the darkest ending of the ones I've read. It's not the best writing(written for teens) but good stories with interesting characters and relatable, if extreme, dilemas make all of his books pretty good reads.

 

[Cogwheel]

From 5th to 1st, Ptolemy's Gate, Hogfather, Night Watch, Reaper Man (honestly, Reaper Man and Night Watch are more or less tied), Jonathan Strange&Mr. Norrell (odd title, I know).

 

[monkey_man]

Harry Potter.
I don't care about your fancy thinky books.

 

[GonzoGamer]

War Of The Spider Queen.
By: R.A. Salvatore.

Is he still writing those books? I got to pick up the last.... few? I loved them when I was in High School and I picked up some of the graphic novel adaptations a couple of years ago.
I can't pick a best book ever.
If you like mystery type books but what to break out from them a little, try The Illuminatus Trilogy. It's trippy and will force you to abandon the conventions. A good companion to that is Prometheus Rising.
I guess my favorite genre however would be contemporary post-modern British lit: Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, JKR.

 

[VanQ]

Novel: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This was the series at it's highest point, all went downhill from here.
Literature: 1984 by George Orwell. Great read, loved every page.
Light Novel: The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Manga: Negima!? Volumes 19-32 and still going. The Magical World arc is the longest story arc in any manga I've ever read but it is awesome!

I don't read all that much so my list is rather limited.

 

[Shakaar9267]

War Of The Spider Queen.
By: R.A. Salvatore.

Is he still writing those books? I got to pick up the last.... few? I loved them when I was in High School and I picked up some of the graphic novel adaptations a couple of years ago.
I can't pick a best book ever.
If you like mystery type books but what to break out from them a little, try The Illuminatus Trilogy. It's trippy and will force you to abandon the conventions. A good companion to that is Prometheus Rising.
I guess my favorite genre however would be contemporary post-modern British lit: Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, JKR.

No, it's over. There are six books in the series.