To ask what the best book you've ever read is?

[AtlasShrugged]

As above really. Inspired by the worst book thread running at the moment. What's the best book you've ever read? And why?

Proseccoagain I don't think it stands up very well to a re-read in the way that her other books do, as the whole thing hinges on the suspense of not knowing if he's going to be found out of not (hopefully not too spoiler-ish to say this). So I do know what you mean. I love Rebecca as well though, hope you enjoy it.

A Scots Quair. Although it's really 3 books.

Funny how some people's favourites I loathed!

Time travellers wife, pride and prejudice

Sorry, found out or not, that should have said.

Loved lots of these. If I was to choose one that hasn’t been mentioned it would be The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. Go read it!

A prayer for Owen Meany

My absolute favorite is Wuthering Heights but I can't stand Jane Eyre.
I've tried reading the Goldfinch but really couldn't get into it, going to give it another go after so many recommendations though

Shantaram

No.1.The Road. A master piece, if you have not read this I urge to read it, never has a book captured such beauty amid such horror. The description of parent/child relationship is the most beautiful yet painful thing I have read in my entire life. Nothing will ever come close to this. Breath taking.
Mrs Dalloway.
Never let me go. Haunting.
We need to talk about Kevin. Still with me...
Lullaby.
Little friend.
Jayne Eyre. My ability to reread this is endless.
Conversations with friends.

Ooh yes shantaram. Felt bereft when i finished that

Hotel du lac. Cannery Row. And yes, Secret History.

The Goldfinch, absolutely loved it.

Not my favourite as love lots of books but this is one I re read often.

Lion of Senet by Jennifer Fallon. First of the second sons trilogy. Love the ‘grey’ characters in this, the blurring of good and bad and just how clever it is when you look back over the series and put pieces together.

I first read my aunt's copy about 25 years ago in my early teens, but I always come back to Rosamunde Pilcher's "The Shell Seekers".

JetPlanes
My DH loves that book.

Love The Poisonwood Bible and most Barbara Kingsover books.
Others include The Elegance of the Hedgehog( also a lovely movie)
The Sound and the Fury
Portrait of a lady
The Shipping News
So many really over the years

Ooh.. another one... the night circus. Beautifully written

Gone with the wind

A 1000 Splendid Skies by Khalid Hasani (sp). Beautifully written and haunting. I think its better than The Kite Runner, which is also brilliant

Probably not my favourite but one that always comes back to me is The Five People You Meet In Heaven. Fantastic book. Also Tuesdays with Morrie.
Too many to choose a favourite!

Wuthering Heights no other book has made me feel I am there in the same way it is so atmospheric

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin I love his other books too

The Bonesetters Daughter by Amy Tan I love her books another writer that can take me elsewhere

I love John Steinbeck books

The final confession of Mabel Stark (an elderly lady tells her rather entertaining story of her life as the 1st female lion tamer and all of her husbands).

The truth about the Harry Quebert affair (a love story / who dunnit about an older writer and a young girl - a book I wanted to end so I knew what happened, but I didn't want it to end because then it'd be over).

And I have to add The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole

My favourite ever book is The Eleventh Commandment by Jeffrey Archer. I picked it up for 10p in a charity shop years ago and have read it so many times. It’s not even my usual type of genre but I really enjoy it.

Also love the Hannibal Lecter series by Thomas Harris.

A story that I’ve read only once as a teenager, but has haunted me for years, was The Fleah Eaters by L.A Morse.

Rebecca, Brave New World, Handmaids Tale and Wolf Hall