What is the best book you have ever read?

[Toni2011]

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

Nothing. I went to the library today and didn't like the look of anything at all. :( It's my birthday tomorrow though, so am hoping that dp might have bought me some reading material, or that I can get something in town when we go for lunch.\

What should I look out for?

Have just had a big re-reading of Stephen King fest. Oh and of Bill Bryson. And read the latest CJ Sansom a few weeks ago.

My choices (sorry- can't limit it to one!)

behind the scenes at the museum
kite runner
the help
lord of the rings trilogy
we need to talk about kevin

and... the harry potter books! (sorry, I love them1)

I read so much that to pin it down to one author let alone one book is difficult.

I went through a John Steinbeck phase after "Of Mice and Men" cropped up on the BBC Big Read.

A Prayer for Owen Meany was something I've recommended to a number of people.

To Kill A Mockingbird, definitely in my top 10.

I've read Terry Pratchett to rags, now my sons, nephew and brother-in-law are into them as well. Terry's Altzheimers just hammers home what this awful disease can take away.

I must dig out my collection of James Herriot books to share with my teenagers.

The list just goes on and on, a bit like me really.

Perhaps we should have a Mumsnet Top 100 where we all vote for 5 books!

So Book Thief fans, is it worth persevering with then? I just got it from library and am now on mn rather than reading it as not taken with 1st few pages!

I know it's a bit sappy but I do love the Time Traveller's Wife. Also I'm having a mental block with the author,female, but the book is The Falls.

Ok will go back to it tomorrow! Have never heard a bad thing about it, then was a bit taken aback when I didn't immediately love it!

All of Kate Atkinsons but Behind the scenes at the Museumm definately a favourite.
And To Kill a Mockingbird - son had it for school and I read it again, as good as I remembered.
And as a teen, The Once and Future King by TH White - beautiful book.

The Book Thief is definitely worth it.

I love many of the books mentioned here. One of the best though, that is not yet mentioned here, but was compeletely engrossing is The Autobiography of Malcom X by Alex Haley.

Thanks Jajas.

He bought me 'Room' and instructions to go and buy whichever others I want!

I really liked, 'Half Of A Yellow Sun' and really (really!) hated, 'Never Let Me Go' although most people on here rave about it. I hated 'The Remains Of The Day' too.

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? :)

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

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

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

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!

Wasp Factory
Rebecca
To Kill A Mockingbird

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