Greatest book/series ever!

[Rhymenoceros]

This is basically a thread for anyone and everyone to claim what the greatest book or book series in the world is. It doesn't matter what you think the greatest is whether it's an oldie like War and Peaceh or a more update one like (god forbid) Twilight. Whether it's an adults book like Seven Troop or a kids book like Peter Rabbit. What's the greatest book of all time?

For instance in my opinion the greatest series of books of all time is Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy. Even if the film adaptation was absolutely shocking. I don't know why I like them so much. Perhaps it's because they can be read on so many levels.

Anyway: In your opinion what is the greatest book/series of all time?

 

[the Dept of Science]

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera and On the Road by Jack Kerouac are personal favourites of mine.

(I wanted to get my entry in before the plethora of fantasy books that I trust the Escapist to recommend)

 

[Me55enger]

Discworld.

nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Meemaimoh]

I'm a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. If you like fantasy, these books are pretty much a must-read.

 

[Je Suis Ubermonkey]

All 16 of the David Eddings books I've read.
That's:
The Belgariad (5 books)
The Malloreon (5)
The Elenium (3)
The Tamuli (3)

 

[Quaxar]

Discworld.

nothing more, nothing less.

Yeah, this is pretty much a /thread...
As are the Hitchhiker's guide and LOTR.

But apart from the obvious I nominate Sergej Lukianenko's Nightwatch tetralogy. The characters are quite Russian, but the story is great.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Really?! No one said The Lord of the Rings yet?!

Yeah, anyway. The Lord of the Rings. I love that series.

 

[GrimTuesday]

I'm a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. If you like fantasy, these books are pretty much a must-read.

You ser make me sad... because I wanted to say that.

Edit: I don't see why Tolkien is so revered. I found those books to be rather tedious and overly descriptive.

 

[Dragon_of_red]

The Magician Series by Raymond E Fiest.
Scarecrow series by Matthew Rielly.

I Have also heard that Skulduggery Pleasant is also good. And Wheels of Time. They are my next books I should read.

 

[Flamezdudes]

The Lord of the Rings, that includes The Hobbbit doesn't it?

I LOVE H.P. Lovecraft's books involving his Cythulu Mythos, that's a series right? Eh, i'l just say the Commemorative Edition "The Necronomicon" is the greatest book ever.

World War Z and Zombie Survival Guide aswell!

 

[Vie]

Both Discworld and HHGTTG certainly fall into this category. And while HP Lovecraft was not really a serial writer in the strictest sense, his mythos has been pieced together well enough to be able to have the same.

I would also add David Webber's Honor Harrington series of books.

 

[Jimmybobjr]

The most selling single book ever is the Bible. (No duh)
The first book on the list im looking at that ISNT religous or propoganda from Korea is "A Tale of Two Cities", by Charles Dickens, written in 1859.
The secconds best selling book is,
"Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship" by Baden-Powel (the creator of the scout movement), and the third is "Lord of the Rings (Complete Edition)" By Tolken
According to NYTimes and Wikipedia anyways.

My favourite book IN THE WORLD, is "Seven Ancient Wonders" By Australian Author, Matthew Reilly.
7AW is also known as "Seven Deadly Wonders" outside of Australia.

 

[PorkChopXpress]

Cormac McCarthys Border Trilogy. Hell, Blood Meridian by itself.

 

[King Crab]

ain't really got a greatest as such, but really really good series? well, my favorite are

discworld - terry pratchett
flashman - george mcdonald fraser
the brentford trilogy (now 8 books, I think) - robert rankin
armageddon the musical - robert rankin

that's pretty much all I can remember of the top of my head, pertaining ta series, that is.

edit - greatest single book? it would have to be . . . gah. can't think of any single on. I'll just go with Valis by Phillip k. Dick.

oh yeah, another really good series is the thursday next series by Jasper Fforde

 

[Blackmagic1515]

Pretty much every series by David Eddings. A fantastic writer.
Also I wish to throw in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. This series literally runs on awesome.

 

[Dead_Man]

The legend of drizzt series by r.a. salvatore. a must have for any geek who plays dungeons and dragons, or just loves fantasy novels. for gods sake theres 19 in the series so far!

 

[Trikeen]

Best book series ever. I dare you to argue.

 

[Rhymenoceros]

The most selling single book ever is the Bible. (No duh)

I was wondering how long it would be before the bible got mentioned. Not long apparently.