What is the best book you've ever read?

[Hashime]

Piggy-backing on the success of verex's thread "Worst Book You've Read for School" (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.203290-Worst-Book-Youve-Read-for-School)
What is the Best Book you have ever read, school or otherwise?

 

[Marter]

The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike.

It's the only book I've found that drew me in the way it did. I couldn't stop reading it.

 

[Hashime]

I would go with Tom Clancy's rainbow six. I quite enjoyed the plot and action.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

Either anything by Terry Pratchett after his first few Discworlds. The originals aren't great, but the moment he gets into his stride they are utterly fantastic.

Other than that, "The Redemption of Althalus" is a bloody brilliant book, and I recommend anyone who hasn't heard of it to give it a look.

The Song Of The Lioness series comes a very close third.

 

[Lawnmooer]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. My favourite book, I have read it a total of twice! Which considering I don't like to read books more than once (I remember what happens in each chapter and sometimes each page and don't enjoy it as much)

 

[warthoggunner]

Dan Abnett - Horus Heresy: Horus Rising

damn, it was goooood

 

[Sonicron]

It's a tie between Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" and James Swallow's "Flight of the Eisenstein".

 

[Wordslinger]

I'm torn between The Dark Tower, Dune, and The Sword of Truth. All three are amazing books (well, series).
Also, Cirque du Freak deserves honorable mention, since it's the only book about vampires written recently that isn't rubbish.

 

[AngloDoom]

Michelle Paver's 'Wolf Brother'. I've read a lot of books, but this one just grabbed me.

 

[Forgetitnow344]

Since you said "book" and not "novel," I can suggest my all-time favorite book. The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker (yes, the one that inspired Hellraiser) is a rather short novella, but it's the best book I have ever read. 120 pages of pure delicious imagery.

Runner-ups:
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Painted House by John Grisham
Misery by Stephen King

Honorable Mentions:
The Wanting Seed by Anthony Burgess
The Face by Dean Koontz
The Firm by John Grisham

 

[Jark212]

Dan Abnett - Horus Heresy: Horus Rising

damn, it was goooood

I really liked Cadian Blood by Aaron Dembski-Bowden...

 

[Crazy_Bird]

Mark Z. Dienelezweski's "House of Leaves". An intriguing plot with half a dozen allusions and references a line and brilliant layout.
I read this book thoroughly enjoyed it and one of the few recent books I was sure of that it will be remembered for its superb craftsmanship.

 

[SturmDolch]

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, no question about it. I'm not a big fantasy nerd, but this is an exception.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

World War Z by Maz Brooks.

I can't describe it, but it is so very good and rereadable. Pick up anyone, especially if you like apocolypse books.

 

[willjcasey]

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, blows all other fantasy out of the water, especially anything by Goodkind

 

[Anah'ya]

I Am Legend was a fantastic read. Read, not watch.
Other than that there's always the Morningstar by David Gemmell and the Song of Ice and Fire series and and and.. huh.

/fail

Can't pick one..

World War Z by Max Brooks.

I can't describe it, but it is so very good and rereadable. Pick up anyone, especially if you like apocolypse books.

I've read that, and it started out really well. Though after a while, in particular as it was nearing the last quarter, it began to read and feel somewhat shallow. Still a good enough bed-time story I suppose. Did you like all the bits of it?


EDIT: Title of I Am Legend corrected, thanks to [user]Velvo[/user].

 

[sephiroth1991]

No country for Old men, the film is good as well.

 

[warthoggunner]

Dan Abnett - Horus Heresy: Horus Rising

damn, it was goooood

I really liked Cadian Blood by Aaron Dembski-Bowden...

Well... That's 40k.
40k Books can be awesome, too.

Best book of 40k (in my opinion): Graham McNeill - Storm of Iron
or: Dan Abnett - Armor of Conptempt
_________________________________

Star Wars:
The entire X-Wing series.
especially: "Bacta Pirates" and the three books by Allston
-> http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/X-wing_%28novels%29

I have like 80 Star Wars Novels and it is very hard to pick
a favorite..

 

[Velvo]

Kurt Vonnegut, for the most part. Also the Ender's Game series (there's what, six of em?) and Carl Sagan's Contact. The movie version was okay, but the book had no McConaughey, and a lot more awesome.