What is the 1 book you would recommend that someone has to read in their lifetime?

Question

What is the 1 book you would recommend that someone has to read in their lifetime?

Answer 1

It has to be be A child called it by Dave peltzer and The lost boy and a Man named Dave they follow on from each other. they are true life books.

Answer 2

Harper Lee

to kill a mockingbird

Answer 3

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden



They are just two of my favourites

Answer 4

1984 by George Orwell

Answer 5

Do androids dream of electric sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a book that most people think they remember, and almost always get more or less wrong. Ridley Scott's film Blade Runner took a lot from it, and threw a lot away; wonderful in itself, it is a flash thriller where Dick's novel is a sober meditation. As we all know, bounty hunter Rick Deckard is stalking a group of androids returned from space with short life spans and murder on their minds--where Scott's Deckard was Harrison Ford, Dick's is a financially over-stretched municipal employee with bills to pay and a depressed wife. In a world where most animals have died, and pet-keeping is a social duty, he can only afford a robot imitation, unless he gets a big financial break. The genetically warped "chickenhead" John Isidore has visions of a tomb-world where entropy has finally won. And everyone plugs in to the spiritual agony of Mercer, whose sufferings for the sins of humanity are broadcast several times a day. Prefiguring the religious obsessions of Dick's last novels, this asks dark questions about identity and altruism. After all, is it right to kill the killers just because Mercer says so?

Answer 6

George Orwells 1984: very scary book



The Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams: very funny book



And i will have to go with LOTR as well

Answer 7

The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux - Just a book I absolutely love!



Also Tp Kill a Mockingbird ny Harper Lee. One of those books you have to read at school but dont fully appreciate and enjoy until you are an adult!

Answer 8

The Koran, but if that should hurt one's atheistic sensibilities, Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain

Answer 9

The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams, way way WAY better dan d movie. DON'T PANIC

Answer 10

Bill bryson's short history of nearly everything. It's brilliant

and Stalingrad by Anton Beever, they will help you keep your life in perspective.

Answer 11

The Art of War - Sun Tzu

I can't believe no-one has mentioned this. One of the oldest military books ever written, used by many great generals throughout history, applications outside of war (relationships, business, negotiation), and on the required reading list for business executives, US marines and MBA students.



It's just full of history and useful tips on life in general.

Answer 12

I think this book has made the most impact on me - The Source by James Michener. It expains so many human behaviors. Ths history of religions told through stories. The Source takes place in Israel at an archeological dig. Starting from the earliest level through to the 1960's he spins beautiful stories while the reader learns the history of man and religion. Some other books that I have loved are: Stones from the River - U. Hegi -- The reader gets a perpective of the german mind during Hitler's reign. Some of the citizens agree with him and others do not. Great read. Angela's Ashes - McCourt - Irish The Poisonwood Bible - B. Kingsolver- Congo Wildswans - J. Chang- China Cry, The Beloved Country - A. Paton- Africa Middlesex - J. Eugenides- Greek Reading Lolita in Tehran - Nafisi- Middle East All of the above are wonderful books. Some are true stories. I enjoy very much learning about different cultures and gaining a better understanding of human behavior.

Answer 13

I concur with Cazmo 2911's comments about what books mean to you and where you are in your life.



Intriguingly, despite the questioner asking for 1-3 books for recommendation (s)he gives several... and quite rightly because there are so many excellent books. So here goes and not in any particular order:



1. Chris Wooding - The Haunting of Alaizable Cray

2. Chris Wooding - The Braided Path trilogy



Don't be put off by the lousy cover on the Scholastic version of Alaizable - a teen fantasy book but absolutely stunning.



3 and 4 Robin Hobb - The Farseer Trilogy and

The Tawny Man trilogy - which are really a 6-book series.



5 Robin Jarvis - Tales from the Wyrd Museum trilogy



6 Garth Nix - The Abhorsen trilogy



7 Eoin Colfer - The Supernaturist



8 Eoin Colfer - The Wish List



9 Greg Keyes - The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone trilogy



10 Greg Keyes - The Age of Unreason quartet (to be completed)



11 Christopher Paolini - The Inheritance trilogy (to be completed)



12 Robert Joran - Wheel of Time series (to be completed)



13 K J Parker - The Engineer trilogy (to be completed)



14 Trudi Canavan - The Black Magician trilogy



15 Trudi Canavan - The Age of the Five trilogy



16 Margaret Mahy - Maddigan's Fantasia



17 Philip Pullman - Dark Materials trilogy



18 Terry Pratchett - soooo many! but Going Postal



19-21 Terry Pratchett - The Wee Free Men; A Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith



22 Terry Pratchett - The Carpet People



23 Jonathan Stroud - The Bartimaeus trilogy...



and it would be so easy to go on and on and on... lol!

Answer 14

Lord of the Rings is one of my first recommendations to people.



I found the first three books to Robert Jordan's wheel of Time series to be some of the best fantasy written; however, it was the early nineties when these came out and the only other writer that surpassed his writing was Terry Brooks with his Scions of Shannara trilogy.



Jordan has lost the plot, literally; he's made what should have been a trilogy into something unwieldy and boring. After book five I lost all interest.



Sean Russell's The Swans War trilogy is a series that's truly well written and underrated.

Answer 15

The Tawny Man trilogy - which are really a 6-book series.



5 Robin Jarvis - Tales from the Wyrd Museum trilogy



6 Garth Nix - The Abhorsen trilogy



7 Eoin Colfer - The Supernaturist



8 Eoin Colfer - The Wish List



9 Greg Keyes - The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone trilogy



10 Greg Keyes - The Age of Unreason quartet (to be completed)



11 Christopher Pa

Answer 16

The book group at my Library have just read The Five People You Meet In Heaven and they all throughally enjoyed it - I have it waiting here at home to be read so thanks for reminding me! I work in a library and always have piles of books awaiting my attention! I'm working my way through the last Rebus novel just now, good reading so far!



I think The Green Mile, Stephen King, is a book everyone should read. It is one of the only books I will re-read. I think I have read it 3 times in as many years, it is haunting, moving and will bring any living person to tears.



1984 by Orwell is a fantastic read. One I 'had' to do at school but have returned to it recently and it is as true a warning today as it was when it was written. I had to keep double checking the date is was published when reading it again as it is hard to beleive it was so long ago, yet his 'predicitions' are as apt today as they have ever been.



The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time by Mark Haddon is a fantastic read. Really easy to read, I done so in a day, but a great way of getting a perspective on live from those living with a learning disability.



A Place Called Here and If You Could See Me Now by Cecilia Aherne. Don't dismiss her as yet another young Irish chick lit author - there are 100's of them around but she is different. These books give you a different slant on life. The first I mentioned is set in a parrallel land where all the things you thought were missing go - from socks to people! The second is written by an invisible friend - fantastic!



Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. This is a book pitched at the Teenage market but there are some great reads amongst them. Being aimed at teenagers means there is something worth readingon every page as you can't allow a teenage reader to lose interest or they are gone! Elsewhere is a place people go when they die and they un-age until they are ready to born again. Gets you mind asking all sorts of questions which, in my opinion, a good book should do.

Answer 17

The Sleeper Awakes (H G Wells)- a cautionary tale of a dystopian society that predates Orwell's 1984.



Dracula (Bram Stoker) or Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)- both seminal works of the Gothic Horror genre.



The Lost Continet (Bill Bryson)- far and away the funniest contemporary travel book available. Also The Clumsiest People in Europe (Mrs Favell Lee Mortimer, abridged by Todd Pruzan)- a 19th Century travel book with 19th Century prejudice that illustrates how today's acceptable is tomorrow's shocking.

Answer 18

The Stairs that Kept Going Down. The Secret Passage. The Secret Garden. Tarka the Otter. The Call of the Wild. The Ice Schooner. The Wisdom of the Overself.

Answer 19

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and Watership down by Richard Adams

Answer 20

Raymond E Fiest 'magician' is a much better book than lord of the rings in my oppinion.



The style of writing is modern and gritty, it is one of the few fantasies that has been highly acclaimed by the New York Times.



If you like Robert Jordan you will be impressed by Fiest's graphic imagary, I have read Robert Jordan and I got upto book 5 or 6 in the wheel of time.



With Jordan his books become tedious, there are times where he could have written two books in one with some clever editing, but Fiest manages to keep the action going all the way through his early works.

Answer 21

My favourite books are all completely different. I don't just read a particular type but judge each novel on it's own merits.



Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

A fascinating book that tackles the sensitive subject of 9/11 and it's aftermath as seen through the eyes of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome whose father died.



Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Classed as Crime Fiction. It's really gripping and totally draws you into the seedy underbelly of Victorian Britain



His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman

A new classic.



Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Won the Pulitzer Prize in 2003 that tackles the difficult subject of Intersexuality.



A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

One of my favourite books of all time based in wartime Malaya (now Malaysia) and postwar Britain and Australia.



I'm also a fan of Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and I have to mention the best kids book ever written - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken, first published in 1963 but still thrilling for children today.

Answer 22

"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini - it conveys and expresses difficult to articulate emotions like fear, resentment, guilt and the search for redemption in a really beautiful and frankly unforgettable way. This is a book that stays with you long after you put it down kinda thing.



"Saturday" by Ian McEwan is not an easy read, it deals with complex matters but it has brilliant descriptions and it feels like an experience reading this book. All the action happens on a Saturday and it is a crazy Saturday.... You get this huge insight into the main character's mind who is a neurosurgeon.



"Of Mice and Men" is a classic and I studied it 7 years ago but my God, it is fantastic - so well written. That is by John Steinbeck.



There are really so many books out there - I recently finished the Harry Potter series and I recommend it :).



Happy reading!

Answer 23

Up In The Old Hotel, by Joseph Mitchell.



Its a compilation of the authors short stories, most of which are about life in New York City. All of them are set before the 1970's, some go back to like the 1930's.



It's a great book regardless of where you come from, but it's particularly enthralling, if you live in NYC or are a native.

Answer 24

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (truely brilliant)



The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (A fantastic way to look at the meaning of your life)



The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (actually the start of a 9 book series, a fantasy based novell that is brilliantly written)

Answer 25

I would recommend 3 books:



"The Catcher In The Rye" by J.D Salinger. I loved it when I read it! The kind of relationship that Holden and his sister Phoebe had was just moving! It is without a doubt a masterpiece. I would also recommend "The Rotters Club" by Jonathan Coe. I wasn't sure about buying it or not, I read it and I never regretted it! It is also a great book I think everybody should read, as it shows perfectly the teenage years of a group of guys in Birmingham during the time when Thatcher had the power. And the 3rd book I would recommend it is any book written by David Lodge."Thinks... "and "Small World" are my favourites.

Answer 26

Jean Domonique Bauby "The Diving Bell And The Butterfly' the title alone is beautiful, as is this book that makes you sad but glad to be alive



'Give Me Fathers Body' Kenn Harper A heartbreaking tale of Inuits being exploited and degraded.



'Greek Fire' Nicholas Gage, tells the near epic romance of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis, incredibly researched and presented



'Memoirs of A Geisha' Arthur Golden, the only book i wish i had the talent to have written!



They all just made me stop and think, which is what books should do.

Answer 27

Thank you - this is a brilliant question, very thought provoking and it gives a huge insight into the people on here.



Personally I think everyone should read both the Bible and the Koran as they are representative of over half the population of the world. If everyone read both it might do away with a lot of the bigotry in the world which is damaging to world peace. We might all realise how similar we are and also learn to embrace our differences!



For a good read for the fun of it I quite like anything by Kathy Reichs.

Answer 28

The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - Also Wilbur Smith`s River God, Warlock, the seventh scroll, & the quest ( Amazing story of Egyptian times of the Pharohs) 4 books in total.

Answer 29

Somebody already mentioned The Bell Jar. I first read it at 17 and it helped me a lot when I was going through depression during my 20s.

Anything by Roddy Doyle - The Comittments is much funnier than the film and has a few extras! If you want a lol book this is the one.

Finally, Nelson Mandela's autobiography. It's a bit out of date now (1994) but it's still inspiring and moves me every time I read it.

Answer 30

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is a fantastic book - i totally agree with you.



I have just read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon and it is excellent and recommended wholly. It is about a teenage boy with aspergers syndrome who tries to solve a murder mystery involving his neighbours dog. It gives insight into an autistic mind, is funny and a completely different type of book to others that i have read before. Definately recommended.

Answer 31

The 5 people you meet in heaven was a lovely book and I am currently reading One more day by Mitch Albom.



Other good books - Micheal Palin any travel books! Bill Bryson - short history of nearly everything, boy in the striped Pyjamas, Marley & Me (hilarious, poignant & yet sad story of the worlds worst labrador!)

A very English Hangman - story of Albert Pierrepoint, interesting reading. They are just some of the books that I have read in the last couple of months - oh & just finished the Scissor Sisters by Mick McCarthy - about the 2 dublin sisters that butchered their mothers violent, nasty, arrogant, b****** of a boyfriend! I don't condone violence or indeed murder but I do feel sorry for the eldest sister Linda - she will be in jail til at least 2017 and all her kids will of grown up.

Answer 32

To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee-love it, it has humour, as well as the strong sense of what is right and wrong



Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, a good suspense story



The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, trust me



and for humour, The Paddington Bear Stories by Michael Bond are brilliant, no, you are never too old, the thought of Paddington trying to wallpaper the Brown's livingroom, brilliant, go on, give it a go and enjoy

Answer 33

Cain And Able, my mother-in-law gave it me to read for when i was on the plane, it was great i just couldnt put it down i read it through the whole holiday(whilst sunbathing mainly-it didnt take over my hols!). Its just great how it tells the story of two very different men, from the day they are born, how one is poor and the other born into money both born in different countries and how their paths eventually cross. Such a great story i'm gutted i don't know what i did with the book - i must go out and buy it again and give it another read!

Answer 34

Hmm...interesting one.



I suppose my list would go something like this:



Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. Hilarious and terrifying at the same time, and a picture of the madness of war.



Wuthering Heights - a great exploration of the destructive power of passionate love.



The Complete Hitch-Hikers Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Funny and brave in its look at the things we think and do, and its creation of a universe that would be just mad enough to make them seem rational.



Very possibly The Lovely Bones - a very human account of lives torn apart, and a comforting vision of what might be beyond this life.



And Illusions: Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach. Intriguing fiction of a potential Messiah, and his training.

Answer 35

Different books means different things to everyone, and even different things to the same person at different stages in their lives. However....



Agreed on "5 people you meet in heaven" will make you laugh and cry. Also "Tuesday's with Morrie" by the same author for the same reasons, and because it'll make you appreciate the older people in your life before it's too late.



"War and Peace", apart from the sense of satisfaction you get having finished it, it's an epic novel which says a whole lot about love, family, society and philosophy.



"The Republic" by Plato. Idealistic, but compelling.

Answer 36

York Times.



If you like Robert Jordan you will be impressed by Fiest's graphic imagary, I have read Robert Jordan and I got upto book 5 or 6 in the wheel of time.



With Jordan his books become tedious, there are times where he could have written two books in one with some clever editing, but Fiest manages to keep the action going all the way through his early works.

Answer 37

Well, seeing as The Lord of the Rings has allready been mentioned, I would have chose that one as the all time number one I would recommend. However, it has to be The Bible for me. I would suggest that any non-christian read it, and so become to know God`s plan for humanity and to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.



The Gap into Power series by Stephen Donaldson is good, as is Kevin Anderssons Saga of Seven Suns. Thomas Covenant Chronicles anyone!!



Or howabout some Terry Pratchetts Discworld series, allways good for a laugh....



And the Wheel of Time has to be good, but a little long winded. I`ve given it a rest for the time being as it does get a little to much towards book ten.....

Answer 38

I've got not one book, but a series of seven for you: the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. A lot of adults seem to shy away from these books as they are marketed "for kids" in most places, but once you give them a chance, you'll find they're spell-binding (if you'll excuse the pun). I've recommended the books to all my friends and everyone who's given in and read them, has thanked me afterwards.



For fans of chick-lit books, I highly recommend PS: I Love You by Cecilia Ahern and The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carol Matthews.



The Historian is a good book if you like detective stories combined with mystery/horror, the writer for this one is Elisabeth Kostova.



Yep, I'm a big reader!



Enjoy the read everyone!

Answer 39

Definitely Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Silmarilion and those Tolkein Books.



Another "must", especially for children, would be the Narnia collection. Like Lord of the Rings this set opens up the mind and deals with good versus evil.



I am 43 and still love the books i have mentioned, and still have them in pristine condition even though i have read them many times.



I tell my children that ALL books are special, as they open up to a new world of learning.

Answer 40

The Princess Bride, S Morgenstern's fine tale of love and high adventure, translated and abridged by William Goldman.



Don't read it in the original (even you speak the language), because it's all, like, allegorical and stuff. For once, the director's cut is the one that sucks...



But the good bits are very, very good.... And if you're not big with the reading, rent the DVD, do.



"Ah, child, when I was your age, books were called 'DVD's'"



I have this recurring nightmare, where my children say that to their grandchildren, because we've finally used it all up, worn it all out, and are living in Engine Summer, by John Crowley... qv.



Helen



Enjoy!



Helen

Answer 41

redibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

A fascinating book that tackles the sensitive subject of 9/11 and it's aftermath as seen through the eyes of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome whose father died.



Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Classed as Crime Fiction. It's really gripping and totally draws you into the seedy underbelly of Victorian Britain



His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman

A new classic.

Answer 42

White Oleander by Janet Fitch.

The Beach by Alex Garland.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.



All phenomonal books, definitely worth reading!

Answer 43

olkien (obvious but true)



The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (truely brilliant)



The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (A fantastic way to look at the meaning of your life)



The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (actually the start of a 9 book series, a fantasy based novell that is brilliantly written)



Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (not yet com

Answer 44

Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins

The Stand by Stephen King

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand



All three are so telling about society in one way or another

Answer 45

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell, - a little know book about a group of labourers in the early 20th century, although set over 100 years ago still remarkably relevant today and hasn't been out of print since the 1940's

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141187697/?tag=yah.007-21



I could recommend dozens more, but thats the only book I would recommend to all!

Answer 46

All David Gemmells books - fantasy escapism

All Terry Pratchetts books - funny fantasy

and Buffalo Soldiers by Robert O'Connor they made a film of this book and completely ruined the whole story

Answer 47

You've named almost every book I would have reccommended! Uncanny! Maybe we are reading soulmates! Would also go for His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman - will tear you to bits by the end, anything by George Owell (not 1984 or Animal Farm but all the rest) especially 'Down and out in Paris and London' you'll love it. There are more but I will let you know when I've had more time to think about it.

Answer 48

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams.



I actually prefer the Dirk Gently novels to his better know work, The Hitch Hikes Guide to the Galaxy. There's deeply satisfying about Adams' writing set in this "more normal" context back on earth.

Answer 49

Well there are the popular favourites...

A Walk to Remember - Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks

Harry Potter - JK Rowling



Then there's the classics...

Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery



And the little known book...

Waiting for Christopher - ?

It is a book about child abuse and a real must-read!

Answer 50

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell

a realistic portrayal of the working class at the beginning of the 20th century.and an attack on the greed and dishonesty of a capitalist system

and animal farm George Orwell

power corrupts(all animals are equal--but some are more equal than others)

Answer 51

A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Answer 52

I wholeheartedly agree! Especially "The Time-travellers' wife" and "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" - but would also add "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, "The Visit of the Royal Physician " (by Per Olav Enquist), "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory and anything by Mark Haddon, but especially "A spot of bother"...although "The curious incident of the dog in the night time" is also brilliant

Answer 53

I am so pleased you listed The Time Traveler's Wife. It's my favourite book of all time, I've read it more times than I care to mention! Definitely a book I would recommend to man and woman alike, it is wonderful. Looking forward to a film version hopefully out next year!

Answer 54

Lord of the Flies - William Golding



The Outsider - Albert Camus



One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.



All deal with the frailty of the human spirit.



Brilliant classics.

Answer 55

Anything by Ernest Hemingway gets my vote particularly For Whom the Bell Tolls. Am I allowed two? If I was a more modern time classic is A million Little Pieces by James Frey - although if I read that every day I would be depressed as hell!

Answer 56

1-Charlie and the chocolate Factory--Dahl

2-How the Grinch Stole Christmas-Seuss

3-The Hobbit & Lord of The Ring Trilogy-Tolkien

4-Howard Pyte Robin Hood



Classic work expressing the human condition



5-Tuesdays with Morrie-mitch Albon

6-Way of the Peaceful Warror- dan Millman

7-Silent Angel-Melody Ravert



Simple human inspiration work

Answer 57

The Five People You Meet in Heaven. .... it's a short read but it is an amazing book that will open your eyes to what your life is about. It is a good book for anyone even if you don't believe in God or even an after life I feel it just makes certain parts of life make more sense

Answer 58

You seem to be a bit of a SciFi person and have named some books I have not seen. Thank you I will have a look at these.

Have you read any of the Dragons of Pern series by Ann(e?) McCaffrey - I guess old now but I enjoyed them quite a few years ago.

Answer 59

Definitely The Lord of the Rings for me, but I would also suggest Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and The Secret Garden, which was the first book in my life to affect me strongly.

Answer 60

Many Lives Many Master by Dr Brian Weiss... its about a psychiatrist who had been working with a young patient, when his traditional methods of therapy failed he put her under hypnosis, and was astonished and spatial when his patient began recalling past life traumas which seemed to hold the key to her problems. This dramatically altered the lives of the dr and his patient and provides important information on the mysteries of the mind and the continuation of life after death and the influence of our past life experience on our present behaviour.



Sorry also Night by Elie Wiesel its a modern classic about Jewish boy that was sent to a Nazi concentration camp. A compelling consideration of the darkest side of human nature and the enduring power of hope. A excellent book

Answer 61

George Orwell's 1984 and Douglas Coupland's Girlfriend in a Coma. I know someone already said these but I still pick them! Both provide alternative ways of looking at the world.

Answer 62

i think the two most 'must reads' are both sets.

(1) clan of the cave bear series by Jean M Auel

(2) Dark tower series by Stephen King



you would think that Jean had actually been there during cave man times cos she damn well took ME there,



stephen!! well he took a part of all of us and then roland created himself.



Oh yeh !! and for a light hearted look at life, i totaly agree with buzzlightyearsson,

i picked up a copy of colour of magic and didnt stop reading till i had read the whole series (14 or so books).

terry pratchet is either a very funny man or a god. (not made my mind up yet),,lol

Answer 63

The Iliad.



You are simply culturally illiterate if you've never read The Iliad. It is the first book of Western Civilization. And it's a great read!

Answer 64

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

and The seven books of Harry Potter by JKrowling

Enjoy .

Answer 65

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.



Deals with Racism in the south of the U.S.A and how young innocent minds percept the world around them in different ways. It also makes you think how much better the world would be if we had more people like Atticus.

Answer 66

Glue by Irvine Welsh



Haunted by Chuck Palahnuik



Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens



and



Tommys Tale by Alan Cumming

Answer 67

Three books that have changed my life:



Les Miserable by Victor Hugo



The Chosen by Chiam Potok



A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Answer 68

'The Source' by an author of surname Michener is a fascinating story; although a novel, it suggests answers to many questions on the basis of communities, and their creeds, through the ages. Once started, one would not easily abandon it. Students would best do their prep/homework first.

Answer 69

The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne.

Answer 70

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, a great vampire novel.



Also Bram Stoker's Dracula



And Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles



(As you can tell I like vampire novels :-)

Answer 71

I would recommend any book in the discworld series by Terry Pratchett, but i would strongly recommend that you start with the first book "The colour of magic" which will have you in stitches, from then on you will be hooked and will have to read all of the rest of them.

Trust me when i say this, read just one of Pratchett's books and you will never read a book in quite the same way again.

Did anyone watch "Hogfather" on sky? it was great and that's not even the best book!!



Turtles all the way!!



Read the books and you will understand!

Answer 72

i recommend Caught in the Crossfire by Alan Gibbons



it is a gripping tale about racism and the issues that some people have with others of different races



it is a gripping book with a moving ending



i reccomend it to anyone who loves a good book

Answer 73

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - it's got a good story, a lot of history and I believe a message to anyone who wants to stand up against social convention.

Answer 74

And everyone plugs in to the spiritual agony of Mercer, whose sufferings for the sins of humanity are broadcast several times a day. Prefiguring the religious obsessions of Dick's last novels, this asks dark questions about identity and altruism. After all, is it right to kill the killers just because Mercer says so?

Answer 75

My all time favourite is Stephen King's The Dark Tower, seven books in the series, (what would you call that? a septology) brilliant piece of storytelling.

Answer 76

Taming the Tiger by Tony Anthony

Answer 77

The Shawshank Redemption wins fair and square for me. When I read it the first time (didn't see the movie first), I absolutely loved it. Still do. Especially the part where the prison warden tears off the poster off the cell wall. That was my most favorite moment ever.

Answer 78

I'll give you two by the same writer:

At swim two birds and The third policeman.

They were written by an Irish writer called Flan O,Brien.

He was around at the same time as James Joyce and in my opinion he is far superior

Answer 79

Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown. Because it could be true and that would upset alot of god fearing christians, which is always a good thing.



The Rats, James Herbert. Read it when I was about 14, Scared the **** out of me.

Answer 80

Being Scottish I am going to choose 3 modern Scottish authors and their best (in my humble opinion) books



Ian Rankin - Resurrection Men - One of his later Inspector Rebus novels and utter genius. Won the top crime writer's award



Alisdair Gray - Lanark. His debut novel, that anthony Burgess dared to call one of the best he had ever read. A dystopian book of Glasgow and the fictional Unthank. Wonderful stuff



Iain Banks - The Crow road. One of the best mystery/ crime genre of the past 30 years (again my humble opinion), that gave BBC Scotland one of its greatest TV spin offs.



I know I am banging a gong about Scotland, but when you look back at the literary history for such a small nation, we are pretty darned good.

Answer 81

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

The Colour Purple - Alice Walker



Anything by Vhristopher Brookmyre - very funny black humour!

Answer 82

Blood Runs Cold by Robert Bloch



anything at all (not a title) by John Connolly

Answer 83

Il deserto dei tartari of Dino Buzzati

I sommersi e i salvati of Primo Levi, about the grey human's zone in Aushwitz

Moby Dick, Melville

The demons, Dostojevski



maybe the 4 book of my life



bye

Answer 84

Uncle Toms Cabin (Slavery and fight for freedom)

Hitch Hikers guide to Galaxy (very Funny)

A Charmed Man (very good insight to women who have suffered male abuse)

the Lord of Rings Triology (l just love it also the Hobbit)

Answer 85

jk Rowling- all the harry potters. brilliant books.

Susana Dunn- the queen of subtleties. i meet her at a 'gifted at English' trip. good book about Anne Boleyn

i can't remember the author but the dark materials trilogy.the northern light, subtle knife, amber spy glass. are absolutely amazing. these are my favourite books. and I've read them all at least 5 times. child hood books i think as I'm 15

Answer 86

Happiness by Will Ferguson. It's a spectacular satire of our modern culture and the way it relies so much upon the self-help books. It's very sarcastic and easy to read. A must.

Answer 87

Try:

The happy prince by Oscar Wilde

and

Le petit prince de Saint Exupéry ( a French writer )

Answer 88

Let us know in the comment section below and make sure to get a full look at the entire "Gamma Blue" Jordan 11 ticket campout recap above.

Answer 89

The day of the Jackal Frederick Forsyth . I read it through in just over one day on holiday at home in the sunshine

It has everything including a very good plot

Answer 90

For One More Day - Mitch Albom

Harry Potter - JK Rowling

Answer 91

I would recommend "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's one of the most beautiful books I've ever read, and it's beauty has stayed with me ever since I first picked it up 8 years ago.

Answer 92

The genetically warped "chickenhead" John Isidore has visions of a tomb-world where entropy has finally won. And everyone plugs in to the spiritual agony of Mercer, whose sufferings for the sins of humanity are broadcast several times a day.

Answer 93

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

Answer 94

Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel. It was such an enjoyable read and I certainly loved the excellent twist in the story!

Answer 95

My favourite book when I was a young girl was the magic faraway tree just loved that book and Enid Blyton was a good author

Answer 96

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Answer 97

Srimad Bhagavad Gita As It Is, by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Jaiva Dharma, by Srila Bhaktivenoda Thakura.



both are about the spiritual soul and can answer all and any questions regarding the soul, the Suprem Soul (God), the material world, the different types of yogas and religions and about our supreme goal and destination.

Answer 98

The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt, because you should read a book you can't completely understand but stand in awe of.

Answer 99

I would have to say 'The Greatest Salesman in the World' by Og Mandino, i'm not a christian but he seriously makes you think.



Also 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton, just for pure childlike wonder and dreaming, I love it!!!

Answer 100

Cry,the Beloved Country.

by Alan Paton

Story of Black and White in South Africa during Apartheid.

Answer 101

The Chronicles Of Narnia and If you Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahearn

Answer 102

My first choice is The Bible ( I think we all know the author) And also Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. A wonderfully written book!

Answer 103

Apart from "Lord of the rings", I would choose:-

Tolstoy, L.: War and peace - a life-changing and life-affirming book

Hoban, R.: The mouse and his child - a beautiful and moving book which kids and adults will enjoy

Answer 104

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain - wonderful stuff.

Answer 105

Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

Elsewhere by ???

Answer 106

I could recommend dozens more, but thats the only book I would recommend to all!

Answer 107

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Answer 108

The Terry Pratchett trilogy for younger readers called the Bromeleid nome trilogy, the books are called, Truckers, Diggers and Wings. They are fantasy, funny and witty.

Answer 109

For me it has to be Dave Pelzers Trilogy : A child called it, The lost boy & A man called Dave....an amazing true story of strength, courage & survival

Answer 110

All books by Bill Bryson.



He writes so humourosly but includes all the facts and research as well. You learn and laugh at the same time. Genius!

Answer 111

"Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog" by Ted Kerasote. It is the best dog story I have ever read. Kerasote writes about the unconditional love between man and a dog. There are 60 reviews from readers at Amazon.



"He sees their unique personalities, their inner lives, drives, needs, their reasons for being outside of our need for a companion."



"Your heart will melt and hopefully, if you don't already, you will finally "get it" about dogs and their relationship to man."

Answer 112

The Green Mile by Stephen King.One of the best books ever.

Answer 113

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah : an autobiography of her life in China as an un wanted daughter in the fifties..... amazing book!

Answer 114

I'd recommend 'Girlfriend in a coma' by Douglas Coupland - great social comentary on American youth culture (and all of its flaws).



Also '1984' by George Orwell - the impact of a state dictatorship.

Answer 115

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand



and



"Wheel of Fortune" by Susan Howatch...........has to be one of the best books I have ever read!!!! It's out of publication but can be found on many sites.



I agree with you on J.R.R. Tolkien......read those about 20 years ago! A great read....all of them!

Answer 116

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, is a really great ficction novel.

Answer 117

DRACULA by Bram Stoker

It is well written and not at all like the films. It is written in a style that is seldom used, but quite common for this genre.

Answer 118

Misery by Stephen King

so much better than the film adaption

Answer 119

probably:

Twilight, New Moon, Eclips-

Eragon, Eldest-

Series of Unfortunate Events-

Peeps, The Last Days-

Answer 120

1984 by George Orwell

Rumble Fish by SE Hinton

The Novelisation of Caddyshack as read by Peter Griffin ("na na na na" said Ty as the ball sunk into the hole.)

Answer 121

1984 by George Orwell as it's a great book that doesn't age

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carol as it grows with you (you read it at different time of your life and its meaning evolves)

The little prince by Antoine St exupery (same reason as above)

...actually, there is no one book to read as the right one differs depending on where you're at in your life

Answer 122

I would highly recommend "Embraced By The Light" by Betty J Eadie. It's not your average near-death experience story......something about it says its true. Gives you hope and encouragement if you are finding life difficult.

Answer 123

Morgan Spurlocks 'Don't Eat This Book' its the follow up to his tv program Supersize Me, it'll change the way you eat for ever

Answer 124

'Gödel, Escher, Bach: An eternal Golden Braid' by Douglas Hofstadter. It will completely reshape how you think the mind and the universe work.

Answer 125

'Fountainhead' and 'Atlas shrugged' by Ayn Rand.......those who have read it know how life changing these two are,have to be read in the above order.Got to read this when I was lowest in my life...I am today at a place where I'm finally happy and dont want more....I've realsed what each one of us has inside and how much we can do,how to cope with everything life throws at you...would suggest all the lovely people who have written their favourites to read it sometime in their lifetime..truly life changing!

Answer 126

my sisters keeper by Jodie picoult

fantastic brought tears to ma eyes lots of twists and turns and what an ending,took it on holiday and had it read before the second week i just couldn't put it down

Answer 127

Waiting for Christopher - ?

It is a book about child abuse and a real must-read!

Answer 128

The little prince by antoine saint exupery, its a kids book but its amazing and deep.

Answer 129

i would reccomend reading the Magician by Raymond E Feist and Where the Wild Things Are.

Answer 130

A Million Little Pieces by james frey... one of the most inspirational boooks i have ever read about one mans struggle against drug addiction..if you know anyone with a drug problem buy them this book.........

Answer 131

Chariots of Fire by Eric Von Daniken. One of the most frighteningly logical books about religion i have read.Enjoy !

Answer 132

The Holy Bible-reading The New Testament first.

Answer 133

My absolute must read is Life of Pi..it is a fantastic story and I recommend it to all.

It is my absolute favourite of all time.

Answer 134

wild swans by Jung Chang

for whom the bell tolls by Ernest Hemingway

Answer 135

When I was little I read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and I loved it! I try to read it every couple of years cos it's lovely!

Answer 136

The catcher in the rye, JD Sallinger

Answer 137

"Colorado Kid" by Stephen King



"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole



"The Catcher in the Rye" and "Nine stories" by J.D. Salinger

Answer 138

I feel compeled to telling everybody to read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke ..its a book..'bout a book :D I love it

Answer 139

Series of unfortunate events by lemony snicket

Answer 140

yes agree with you on the time travelers wife a very good read, but the book i recomend is kane & abel, by jeffery archer.

Answer 141

well I would suggest Eregon and Eldest(read eragon first then Eldest) thier both great books but get a little slow in one part but then get loaded with action the author is christopher poalini

Answer 142

13 K J Parker - The Engineer trilogy (to be completed)

Answer 143

i agree LOTR also The Hobbit



Dean Koontz most books by him

very graphic writer keeps you reading

Answer 144

Anything by Gerald Durrell or A.S.O.I.A.F George R.R. Martin.

Answer 145

Who ate all the pies by Micky Quinn very very funny.

Answer 146

personally i think

"looking for jj" by Anne Cassidy is a great book

it makes you really empathise for the character

and see how horrible the press are

:[

Answer 147

Cervantes' Don Quixote De La Mancha -- nothing like it

Answer 148

Be your own best friend - Author unknown

Atlas shrugged by Ayn Rand (?)

Answer 149

anything by Sidney Sheldon hes fantastic

Answer 150

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings....

Answer 151

Conversations with God..book s 1, 2 & 3...by Neale Donald Walsh...& God!

Answer 152

The best I have ever read (and everyone I know who has read it ) is

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

Answer 153

The god delusion by Richard Dawkins.

Answer 154

Aldous huxley's - Island

Answer 155

The Clan of The Cave Bear......Jean.M. Auel

Answer 156

Get free insurance quotes online.We provide Auto,Business,Home,Life insurance and more.

Answer 157

1984 by george orwell

Answer 158

white oleander - janet finch (i think)



all the harry potter books



freddy mercury's biography



the secret garden

Answer 159

Kama Sutra is a dam good read i recomend it

Answer 160

if you want a laugh and something to think about too i recommend the third policeman by fflan o brien.

Answer 161

crime and punishment by dostoyevski is number 1 for me. being inside a troubled mind, trying to think like him..its amazing

Answer 162

"Oh! The places you'll go" by Dr. Suess



inspiring, simple and sweet.

Answer 163

You may have a look this website, perhaps has the help to you!

Answer 164

H.B.Stowe - Uncle Tom's Cabin



everyone should read it. It is sweet.

Answer 165

"The Kingdom of God is Within You" by Leo Tolstoy.



It will change your life.

Answer 166

celestine prophecy by james redfield also the book of zen

Answer 167

Kur'an so you can learn a lot of things and to understand the truth

Answer 168

Marley and me,,,i promise you will cry,with both laughter and sadness.

Answer 169

BIBLE BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH THE AUTHOR IS GOD ALMIGHTY IT TEACHES YOU HOW TO LIVE IN THIS LIFE AND HELPS PREPARE YOU ON THE ONE TO COME

Answer 170

learn your ABC's not sure of the author

Answer 171

the alchemist by paulo coelho

Answer 172

The Holy Bible.



Your soul depends on it.

Answer 173

The Bible.





I am a Christian.

Answer 174

1. The Bible. 2. War and Peace. 3. Walk a mile in my shoes.

Answer 175

War and Peace.........it won't take you a life time....!

Answer 176

its called...Shattering Glass...i dont know who wrote it though

Answer 177

Easy the bible

Answer 178

I don't read much fiction, but people keep telling me that if you read it will improve your vocabulary & writing. Thanks for confirming that they are wrong.

Answer 179

THE BIBLE

Answer 180

Bible