Best Book You've Ever Read

This is a toughie because there are many, many books that I love, but if there was one book that really changed my life, it would be Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

Just the incredible situations and onslaughts that those three generations of women had to go through really affected me and my outlook on not only the world but my own life and really put my own petty problems in their place, and my outlook has been that way ever since.
 
Oh dear this won't be easy. I've read more books than I know what to do with. D:

I suppose Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is my most favorite though. I love her language and writing and especially her clever wit and sublime satire of her contemporary society. The story's very engaging and the characters are wonderful--it's hard not to like Lizzy Bennet with all her intelligence and outspoken character, trapped in a time when those two features were not appreciated in women. Darcy is a completely different creature--he's a bit of a jerk but the more you find out about him, the better you understand the guy. The funny thing is, no matter how many times I read this book, I always have that nagging wonder about whether they'll get together in the end or not. I don't know why XD

It's zombified counterpart, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, is getting quite high up my faves list too!

Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is another of my favorites. It's a very interesting story, though cliche'd it might appear to be now in the modern times. I like Jane's character a lot too, because on the one hand she's very grounded and humble, and on the other hand she has a good opinion of herself. Not easy in her kind of life.

Stephen King's Lisey's Story is one of my all time faves of the man. It's a fascinating reading, and a very charming and disturbing view of marriage that I find incredible. He uses language so well, just like a painter uses colors and shapes, except he takes language to places not usually taken. The story's told from the perspective of the widow of a famous author and how she deals with her grief, her family problems, a crazy stalker and the 'dark heart' of her marriage.

Other books I can mention off the top of my head is Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and Othello, Caleb Carr's The Alienist (a very nice psychological story, that) and pretty much every single Sherlock Holmes story.
 
I thoroughly enjoy most books by Bohumil Hrabal, the famous Czech novelist. His writing is very funny and beautiful. I would recommend Dancing Lessons for the Advanced in Age and I Served the King of England
 
In my honest opinion my sister is a writer and her stuff is amazing, her book is great she has a mind that is beyond me, she's able to write things I couldn't think of in a million year if I tried my hardest, its a great story -- and I haven't even finished it yet, but I know it will only get better.

But to name a well-known one; probably - Any book by Lemony Snicket, his series has been with me my whole life, its hard to pick one that's my favorite but it'd probably be The End.
 
The best book I have ever read read is Letterland, it tells the stories of twenty-six interwoven characters all of whom are an allegory for the human condition.

Our story begins with Annie Apple, an almost Stepford-esque housewife under pressure to conceive. Her surname 'Apple' of course being a metaphor for the womb, representing the strain society puts on women to be mothers.

Our tale then moves to a young powerful man, with a propensity to procreate without any regard for the consequences. Bouncy Ben, as his name implies, bounces the L8rLand night club. He is depicted have having large, almost 'bunny' like ears. Most likely a nod to all the gossip he hears during his long hours on the door.

Clever Cat is the next character we meet, she is a brilliant academic and intellectual. Her name is a beautiful mnemonic device in itself, Cat clearly being short for Catherine has another meaning. Her vast intellect has isolated her from other humans, and much like a feline appears cold and aloof to those who would seek to befriend her.

The final character introduced in the first chapter is a young boy, Dippy Duck. Well what first appears to be a young boy! As a child Dennis 'Dippy' Duckworth almost drown in a local pond, suffering irreparable brain damage. Thus leading to him being called Dippy, by the crueller children. He is the most pitiable character, yet the reader will later find themselves wondering who is the most pitiful

It is a truly poignant and eye-opening tale, however I will allow my fellow members to discover that for themselves (also no one will read this anyways, so no way am I describing the other twenty two)
 
'His Dark Materials' will always be towards the top of my list! I take the trilogy as a whole, as no one book in the series stands completely alone. I think the ideas and characters are incredible. Philip Pullman managed to create something original and thought-provoking; a book for children, which can be understood by children, but can be understood again (and further) by an adult.

It's what got me back into reading, so the series will always have a special place in my heart. :)
 
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card.

Earth is locked in a struggle with alien invaders and they have turned to children as their last hope. Hyper-intelligent children are shipped up to an orbiting satellite called Battle School where they learn strategy/combat/etc, in the hopes that one will become the great commander that leads humankind to victory.

It's an interesting book because the majority of the characters are children and yet they are so...adult, at the same time. The story of how Ender (the protagonist) progresses through Battle School is quite an interesting one...or at least I thought so. :wacky:
 
At the moment it would definitely have to be Demon Princess: Reign or Shine.

It's about a young 16 year old girl Nikki who has just found out that her father is the Demon King and that she is half demon. Because she is half human and demon she is a Darkling and the most powerful creature, more powerful than her father.

A boy called Michael is a shadow and he is assigned to protect Nikki and help her with her powers and transformation.

She ends up meeting a fairy king called Rhys who is also 16 (much older in fairy years though. He just looks 16) and there is a love triangle between Rhys the fairy, Michael the Shadow and her human boyfriend.

It then ends and now I have to wait until I can buy the second book! It's so intriguing and keeps your eyes glued to the pages the whole way! I couldn't put it down as soon as I started! XD
 
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