Best book you've ever read?

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

for me it would be:

Good novella,but for me not in the same league as either Cannery Row or The Grapes Of Wrath.
And a fine,principled man;(refused to denounce fellow left-wingers to the House of Un-American Activities),until oddly cosying up to Lyndon B. over Vietnam.
Able to portray the grinding misery of dust-bowl poverty without resorting to mawkish sentimentality.

 

[johnny on the spot]

Jack Kerouac- The Dharma Bums, Visions of Gerard
William Saroyan - The Human Comedy
Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights
Russell Hoban - Riddley Walker
Horace Walpole - The Castle of Otranto
Christina Rossetti - Goblin Market
Ted Hughes - Crow, The Iron Man

 

[Pocomoke blue]

for me it would be:

Good novella,but for me not in the same league as either Cannery Row or The Grapes Of Wrath.
And a fine,principled man;(refused to denounce fellow left-wingers to the House of Un-American Activities),until oddly cosying up to Lyndon B. over Vietnam.
Able to portray the grinding misery of dust-bowl poverty without resorting to mawkish sentimentality.

It was a hard choice for me to pick this one! Cannery Row, Grapes of Wrath, Tortilla Flat and The Winter Of Our Discontent are fantastic books; and portray the grinding misery of the 1930's depression.
I have read a lot of Orwell and these two writers seem to come from the same angle, although Orwell more political I think.
I also enjoy reading Orwells essay's..........'England Your England' and 'Politics and the English Language' works for me!

 

[mackenzie]

Jack Kerouac- The Dharma Bums, Visions of Gerard
William Saroyan - The Human Comedy
Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights
Russell Hoban - Riddley Walker
Horace Walpole - The Castle of Otranto
Christina Rossetti - Goblin Market
Ted Hughes - Crow, The Iron Man

Thank God someone else has mentioned Wuthering Heights! ;-)

Johnny...I will now try out the rest of the ones you mention. What is the best to start with bearing in mind I like a bit of Gothic and/or quirkiness?

 

[Ed68]

Can't be fussed to read all 5 pages but really enjoyed 'Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance' when I read it (I was travelling though so in a different mindset).

I also loved Vurt by Jeff Noon - I could really 'feel' that book as it was based around where I lived (and got stoned etc).

Oh, and 'Life Of Pi'

 

[blueandy1mac]

The Dice Man - Luke Rhinehart

Lived my life on the throw of a dice for some months after reading this cult classic in my younger days.

Balti my son, thank you, how did i forget.

Group of us virtually lived our lives by the throw of the die (sing) in the mid 70's. The overwhelming requirement to introduce the element of danger/uncertainty into your own choices is extraordinary.

Please please please read and try it, if only for a day, it may change your life.

Oh and lastly, do'nt think it allows you to rape your neighbour, they're not all as forgiving as Arlene.

 

[Glenda MCFC]

OK all you book-heads ... I'm a Grisham fan but I've noticed af few on here who have read sort of self help books ... so if I give you my personal circumstances can you recommend anything ? PM me please

 

[barryo]

OK all you book-heads ... I'm a Grisham fan but I've noticed af few on here who have read sort of self help books ... so if I give you my personal circumstances can you recommend anything ? PM me please

I have read more self improvement books than any other type......I can reccomend tonnes of em