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Original poster

What is the best book you have ever read?

189 replies

Toni2011 · 01/02/2011 22:31

I'd love to know which books really stick in people's minds. Any genre, any author.

OP posts:
heymammy · 11/02/2011 21:20

I've loved so many of the books mentioned already but my No1 spot goes to Shogun by James Clavell.

I also was completely and utterly hooked by the Diana Gabaldon books/series and read all 7 (?) back to back.

Ruthie32 · 11/02/2011 21:04

Has anyone read Eat Pray Love? I've just finished the India bit which I have to admit having skim read at times. I loved the Rome bit though

Ruthie32 · 11/02/2011 21:02

ninah - that book about the tailors is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, I loved it too

I bawled my eyes out (I consider that a sign of a great book!) at The Book Thief, The Times Travellers Wife, The Kite Runner and Tuesdays With Morrie

I recently read Stephen King's new book Under The Dome which I couldn't out down

For non-fiction Climb by Anatoli Boukreev is really good

CPtart · 11/02/2011 21:00

Flowers in the attic

Georgelassosthemoon · 11/02/2011 20:51

The Grapes of Wrath, read when I was 16 had a huge impact on me, also at about the same age, Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell. Never been able to read them again though.

One I love and have read over and over again is Asta's Book by Barbara Vine.

juicychops · 11/02/2011 14:44

Harry Potters - sad i know, but i just loved the story

Innocent Traitor

BendyBob · 11/02/2011 14:32

Ceasnake - Ah yes I have also read the Collector. Quite a disturbing book iirc.

I rarely do re-read books. Even if I've loved them, the inital impact as you rightly say, would never be the same. I worry I'll not enjoy it as much or see flaws in it I hadn't noticed the first time and that would spoil it.

tayberry · 11/02/2011 12:26

The L Shaped Room - Lynn Reid Banks

Ceasnake · 10/02/2011 23:04

BendyBob - interesting you say that. The Collector (John Fowles) is a book that absolutely shattered me and is also one I would never read again - I just don't want to dilute the impact with a second reading.

Maud2011 · 10/02/2011 19:41

Another vote for TC Boyle - but my favourite was Budding Prospects - laugh out loud funny about growing (or trying to) a marijuana crop in California.

Also The Kite Runner.

Favourite Sarah Waters is Affinity - creepy and painfully poignant.

Louis de Bernieres' South American Trilogy, the one with titles like The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts etc etc...

Misfitless · 08/02/2011 00:03

Max and Molly in the Garden Wink

birdfuse · 07/02/2011 23:47

Great to hear of some like minds :)and some good suggestions too...

For me -
A Prayer for Owen Meany
The Fourth Hand
A widow for one year

  • all by John Irving

Purple Hibiscus
Half of a Yellow Sun

  • by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

All Kate Atkinson

Five Quarters of the Orange - Joanne Harris

BendyBob · 06/02/2011 17:48

The Magus by John Fowles. I read it years ago. It was so good I daren't read it again.

pinxminx · 06/02/2011 17:42

Cold Comfort Farm

Jajas · 06/02/2011 17:16

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BelligerentGhoul · 06/02/2011 17:12

Oh dear - read The Little Stranger and didn't like it!

Jajas · 06/02/2011 17:09

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BikeRunSki · 06/02/2011 16:52

Wasp Factory
Rebecca
To Kill A Mockingbird

BelligerentGhoul · 06/02/2011 16:33

Read The Swimming Pool one and also liked it better than LOB. :) Not at all what I fancy now though - I want a snuggling up on a dark night with a hot chocolate sort of read!

ninah · 06/02/2011 16:31

I enjoyed Hollinghurst's Swimming Pool Library more than Line of Beauty, try that?

ninah · 06/02/2011 16:30

I just read a fab book about tailors in Bombay, R Mistry, but I can't remember the name and I've lent it to someone!
also enjoyed Cider House Rules by John Irvine recently
In Cold Blood Truman Capote is a great if chilling book imo

BelligerentGhoul · 06/02/2011 16:19

Read and loved both - something like that is just what I want!

Jajas · 06/02/2011 16:16

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BelligerentGhoul · 06/02/2011 16:11

Couldn't get on with Gormenghast (may try again) or The Line Of Beauty. Will google the other - thanks for the rec.

I haven't bought anything else yet - don't really know what I fancy tbh. What I'd REALLY like is some previosuly undiscovered Austen or Conan Doyle - or something like 'Dracula' or its ilk. I want good historical details, a twisty turny plot, possibly a few fainting virgins and some nice frocks, all wrapped up in good quality writing and a pretty cover! Not asking a lot, am I? :)

Jajas · 06/02/2011 16:06

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