Best book you've ever read?

ThePrettyDamned

For me, I really enjoyed the Robert Jordan wheel of time series. I am also a big Brandon Sanderson fan.

The hobbit is another good one. 

bluechargeboy

Tell you what though: The Silmarillion can do one. That's a book too far.

VimFuego

bluechargeboy said:

Tell you what though: The Silmarillion can do one. That's a book too far.

I don't think it's a book so much, more a vast collection of syllables arranged in such a way as to make no sense. With an index.

bluechargeboy

VimFuego said:

bluechargeboy said:

Tell you what though: The Silmarillion can do one. That's a book too far.

I don't think it's a book so much, more a vast collection of syllables arranged in such a way as to make no sense. With an index.

I wouldn't have named my band after it, that's for sure.

Sassafras

stimpsonslostson said:

@Sassafras you're not wrong regarding Donna Tartt- Secret History is what I came on here to suggest. 

I'll go with Name of the Wind By Patrick Rothfuss instead. I just wish he'd get a move on with the third book.. It's been 10years! 

I'd also recommend The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
Very compelling. The sort of book you have to read in one sitting.

Sassafras

Not the best books ever written but I've thoroughly enjoyed The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall-Smith.
They're like children's books for adults. Very charming.

Phil_aka_Pip

celentium said:

LOTR

wis. yes, that was a great read, and now you mention it I remember it with great fondness, partially for the stage in my life at which I read it

Zoolooter

This
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Highways-War-Christopher-Koch/dp/1863305246

wave100

Some great reads in this thread
I am a big fan of Ian M Banks, I must have read all his books 4 or 5 times now. For me it's perfect SF.

One of my favourite things to happen to me was seeing a hardback copy of Neil Gaiman's American Gods at a jumble sale which they only wanted 20p for.

LoFi

bluechargeboy said:

Anathem by Neal Stephenson is a favourite of mine. I enjoy his use of language and nerdy humour, and the themes explored in the book.

In my opinion, it's a fantastic idea, terribly written, which sums up most of Stephenson's recent work. He's achieved a significant stature (deservedly) as a writer which means he no longer has to submit his stuff to an editor, and unfortunately, he really needs one.

Placidcasual79

Some superb shouts so far - just let me chuck in a few that haven't been mentioned ....

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S Thompson 
The Big Sleep - Raymond Chandler (or any of them really - he's the original and the best)
100 Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez 
Ask the Dust - John Fante
Pulp - Charles Bukowski 
Journey to the End of the Night - Louis Ferdinand Celine 
A Fans Notes - Fredrick Exley 
Another Bullshit Night in Suck City - Nick Flynn
The Old Man and Sea - Ernest Hemmingway
The LA Diaries - James Brown 

LuttiS

ThePrettyDamned said:

For me, I really enjoyed the Robert Jordan wheel of time series. I am also a big Brandon Sanderson fan.

I enjoyed them too.. for the most part... Started strong, kind of lost it in the middle, was bought back together for the end

stratman3142

In my 20's there were three books that made a big impression because they were like nothing I'd read before. These were:
Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
Grapes Of Wrath  - John Steinbeck
The Third Policeman - Flann O'Brien

I became a huge fan of Vonnegut and Steinbeck.
I've since read some great books, but with the passage of time, nothing has quite the same impact.
 

BloodEagle

Bravo Two Zero - Andy McNabb

The_Ethical

Well, I see there are some seriously good choices here. I'll have to re-read some of those mentioned and try some of the ones I'm not familiar with.

I couldn't possibly single out a particular book so I give you The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R Donaldson. Twelve volumes over 4 series should keep you busy over the hols

A seriously good read, Great characters, interesting setting and full of moral choices. Definitely among the best books I've read in my mere sixty or so years. Give them a try you might just share my enjoyment!


Merry Christmas all

johnnyurq

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson. Well all 10 books in the  series actually, very epic with a very flawed protaganist.

Pips LOTR & The Hobbit etc for me.

His short stories, novellas and Sci Fi esque Gap series are excellent too, well worth seeking out and having a read.

Grunfeld

Best book... how on earth could you choose one? 
At one level I'd say it's something like Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking.  Because it's over 26 years since I've read it and it totally changed my life.

But in terms of books that make you think... an odd one:  
Terry Pratchett, The Bromeliad Trilogy:  Diggers; Trucks; Wings

This trilogy is meant to be for kids but don't let that put you off. 

The_Ethical

johnnyurq said:

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson. Well all 10 books in the  series actually, very epic with a very flawed protaganist.

Pips LOTR & The Hobbit etc for me.

His short stories, novellas and Sci Fi esque Gap series are excellent too, well worth seeking out and having a read.

I stand corrected, that'll teach me to engage my brain before posting.

Quite frankly I've loved all of his work so far and have just started Seventh Decimate (his latest).

bluechargeboy

LoFi said:

bluechargeboy said:

Anathem by Neal Stephenson is a favourite of mine. I enjoy his use of language and nerdy humour, and the themes explored in the book.

In my opinion, it's a fantastic idea, terribly written, which sums up most of Stephenson's recent work. He's achieved a significant stature (deservedly) as a writer which means he no longer has to submit his stuff to an editor, and unfortunately, he really needs one.

@LoFi I would go along with that for SevenEves; he should just have written a non-fiction book about what he thinks would happen if the moon fell apart. I really enjoyed the Baroque Cycle. Depends what you mean by recent I suppose!

ToneControl

siraxeman said:

Easily by a country mile + 10....the Bible!! worldwide best seller of all time!! no.2 book is about the bible - Pilgrims Progress.

I am not sure I know anyone who ever bought a bible
It is probably the most printed book, and the one given away free most often

here's the best selling books:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_books
 
The metro says that the Koran is more popular:
http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/15/the-most-popular-book-of-all-time-isnt-harry-potter-5297319/