Your View: What is the Best Book Ever Written?

1. riley - February 6th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

The Giver, Ender’s Game, or The Lovely Bones

2. riley - February 6th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

yay for being first!

3. SocialButterfly - February 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee imho, this is the only book that truly opened people’s eyes to what was happening in the south still.

Harper Lee writes with a fine hand and a sharp mind, all of the characters are well developed and you become so engrossed in the story that you can not put it down.

I read like other people breath and this is one of the books that I pick up every 6 months or so. It is one of the few books out there where everytime I read it I find something new.

4. fishing4monkeys - February 6th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

My favorate book is 20,000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne. I love all his books!You should read some of his work if you havn’t already…his ideas were so ahead of his time it’s amazing to read his books about submarine, air, and space travel before any of that stuff was a reality! In this book though he describes almost exactly how SCUBA gear works before it was invented…OK i’m rambling but you get my point

5. brendan - February 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

gosh it’s gotta be a tie between It and The Stand both by Stephen King, the greatest storyteller ever!

6. fishing4monkeys - February 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

O and jfrater did you get my email? I think I put in the right email but I think I might have put .net instead of .com on accident oops…

7. indiefreak19 - February 6th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

ooooooooooo difficult…very difficult lol

Mine changed just recently though as it was once ‘The Name of the Rose’ by Umberto Eco but a couple of days ago I read ‘The Atrocity Exhibition’ by JG Ballard….

And it is amaaazing! Just pure surrealism, confusion, anger, violence, sex and fantastic imagery and wording…

8. big_bro_shane - February 6th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

I believe the Holy Bible is the best book ever written. I do not say this to start any religious animosity or unnecessary debate…I do believe this to be the best book written.
Over the span of several hundred years, written by shepherds, fishermen, fig-farmers, prophets, kings, and commoners, this book tells one influential, inspirational story with one hero (Christ); one villain (Satan); and one theme (redemption).
It is an impressive book, too often argued over than truly read and too often debated rather than lived, which is why many seem dismissive of its beauty. And while their are many versions, I prefer the King James because of the majesty of its poetic language. Again, I share only because it is a book I enjoy and believe to be the best written. Please let it not be for argument.

9. Randall - February 6th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Now if I was being super-serious as a former English Lit Major and a failed English Professor and as a soon-to-be-published-writer (cross your fingers), I would have to say The King James Version of the Bible. Ya come for the churchin’, ya stay for the gloriously poetic Elizabethan language. Y’all.

BUT.. since I think this must be taken more from a personal point of view… I am oh so severely tempted to say James Joyce’s Ulysses. But then I would have to be honest and admit that while I DO think it’s the greatest novel of the 20th Century *at least,* it is one bitch of a read and in the two times I have HAD to plow through it (for college) and the one time I read it by choice–I really had to force myself through chunks of it. It has the density of a pound cake that’s been drenched in honey and motor oil.

SO… ignoring all the other great classics I should mention first… I will instead offer up my personal fave, my beloved Henry Miller and say that the greatest book ever written is:

Tropic of Cancer.

Because it is without sentiment, falsehood or romance and yet is full of life and awareness and is so ugly it is staggeringly beautiful.

Henry is still far too unappreciated in the country. We should be ashamed.

10. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

riley: interesting - my flat mate suggested lovely bones too!

fishing4monkeys: I did get it - thanks

indiefreak19: have you read Foucaults Pendulum? It is better than Name of the Rose (both are by Eco) - I strongly recommend it.

brendan: the stand is the best thing Stephen King ever wrote! I love it. If only they could make a blockbuster film of it instead of the awful mini-series they have made.

SocialButterfly: if you liked that, read Other Voices, Other Rooms by Capote - he was Dill in Mockingbird and Harper Lee is one of the main character in the Capote book - they were childhood friends. You can get it here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....0679643222

11. TicoTuanis - February 6th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

the best book ever is El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha

12. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

big_bro_shane: I don’t think you can say that Jesus is the one hero - there are many heroes in the Bible - King David for example - there is an old testament too

13. SocialButterfly - February 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

jfrater: I noticed that was on your favourite books list (I’m a sucker for links), A friend of mine recommended it as well, I just haven’t gotten around to purchasing it.

I had no idea that Capote was Dill but now that you mention it, this makes total sense.

brendan: I know I might get bugged for this but my favourite King novel was Dreamcatcher.

14. indiefreak19 - February 6th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

jfrater: I actually have ‘Foucault’s Pendulum’!!!! I have it on a big pile of books and have read the first chapter and had to put it aside as had to read aboutthree books for my university course!

But I want to read it so bad and it may put up a fight for my best ever book once I get through it!

15. Jack Lockhart - February 6th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

16. Ruairi - February 6th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

The Magus

if i had time id write a more detailed description of why, hopefully someone else will elaborate

17. big_bro_shane - February 6th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

I love Randall’s comments–’ya come for the churchin’ and stay for the Elizabethan language ya’ll (I take he’s a fellow southerner)

jfrater: I understand there are many heroes within the Bible–King David, the man after God’s own heart, is one to be sure–as are Moses, Joshua, Abraham, et al.. I am not downplaying individual heroism (or actually heroic faith). I wrote from the perspective of my personal faith in which OT types were fulfilled by NT personhood of Christ. The OT is very important to Christian faith and is filled with many heroes, I just believe their heroism came from their faith in the promised Messiah (Christ). To me, He is the overarching hero of the book

18. Rob - February 6th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Brendan
For Stephen Kings it’s “Hearts in Atlantis”

Overall, “The Catcher in the Rye”. Holden Caulfield is so real to me. Shades of his journey are found it the stories of all adolescent boys.

19. ktk420 - February 6th, 2008 at 2:56 pm

My favorite book of all time would have to be The Taking by Dean Koontz. Brother Odd by Dean Koontz and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck also warrant acknowledgement.

20. Christopher Borne - February 6th, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Anthem, by Ayn Rand

21. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

big_bro_shane: I don’t disagree - but I think that without the heroes of the OT we would not have been prepared for Christ and may have missed the NT entirely!

Rob: To be honest I found Catcher in the Rye to be incredibly boring!

ktk420: Mice and Men: brilliant!

Christopher Borne: I am in the middle of Atlas Shrugged - I am enjoying it as much as I have ever other time i have read it - it is timeless.

22. jake ryder - February 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Count this as another vote for Slaughterhouse 5.

23. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Ruairi: I loved the Magus, though I think Fowles’ best book is The Collector - a much lesser known book of his: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Collector

24. Randall - February 6th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

big_bro:

Nope, sorry. Born and bred New Yorker. That’s right. A Yankee. City folk. Gotham and America’s Babylon and all that. The Empire State. Ha.

25. Joss - February 6th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Aside from the Bible:

Of all the books I’ve loved, I believe the best book ever written is A Rage to Live by John O’Hara. It’s very character driven, and by the end of the book you feel as if you’ve known each character their entire lives. It’s beautiful, funny, realistic and just plain lovely.

26. Mac - February 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

I’d say “Catch-22″. It’s hilarious, compelling, distressing and generally splendid. Yossarian is one of the great literary characters.

The best book I’ve read in the past three years is “The Third Party” by Glenn Patterson. I can definitely see it becoming a modern classic. It’s very atmospheric and I just, ahh, wonderful, it makes me want to jump on a plane to Japan immediately.

(It’s set in Japan, that wasn’t just a non-sequitar)

27. big_bro_shane - February 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

randall–you d__n yankee, stop using ya’ll…it’s deceitful

jfrater–I believe we are explaining the same point from two different perspectives; but I’m glad we could do so civilly. I love when the Bible is dicussed rationally. And let me take the chance to say…this is an awesome site!

28. big_bro_shane - February 6th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

mac: I love ‘catch-22′. The absurdity and ridiculousness of everyday living ‘and everybody gets a share’

29. Zach - February 6th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Greetings; love your site. I am much less productive now that I’ve found it.
My 2 cents:
The Bible
“1984″, Orwell
“The Road”, Cormac McCarthy
I love King also, if I had to throw in one of his I’d say “‘Salem’s Lot”.
Okay, that’s 4 books. Sorry.

Too many to choose from, really. I agree with your take on “Catcher in the Rye”, maybe I just didn’t get it, but nonetheless I found it a snoozefest.

30. Joss - February 6th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Ohhh, another one is I Have Words to Spend by Robert Cormier.

31. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

Zach: thanks I don’t know I don’t appreciate Catcher in the Rye - it is such a popular book. Perhaps if someone could tell me what the literary merit was in the book I might be able to approach it from a different angle!

Mac: Catch 22 was great - I would love to read more Heller - I just haven’t had time so far. Any recommendations for a second one?

32. InfiniteJorge - February 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

I would say “L’etranger” (Also known as): The Stranger and The Outsider, by Albert Camus

best book ever written IMO.

33. Ravyn - February 6th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

I know it is a short story and not something considered in itself a book, but it is an elegant literary piece of work.

Edgar Allan Poe- The Masque of the Red Death

As for books, I can not put claim that one work would be my the best book ever written. I can not even say that one book is my favorite. But I will say that one I do enjoy is

Steven King- Bag of Bones
or even
The Long Walk (part of the Buchman series)

Take it for what you will…..

34. Ravyn - February 6th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

by the way i still stand by my thoughts of “Your Veiw” is an excellent idea.

35. Nelia - February 6th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

If I pick a book that I find both beautifully written and that I would also read again, it would have to be Middlemarch. I know some people have found it difficult to get through, but I find that once you get used to the rhythms of an older, unfamiliar written language, it is utterly captivating. If was going to go older, I’d say The Canterbury Tales are fantastic. If you aren’t interested in picking through the middle English, there are some great translated versions.
As for the Bible… I think the Bible is fascinating, though I am not particularly religious. There are many beautifully written and wonderful poems, stories, etc. in there. The many different writers all contribute something, but if I were going to pick a “Best Book Ever Written,” I would rather choose a book by one author. Just because I would have to qualify the Bible by saying that I think some parts by some authors are well-written, but not other parts by other writers. Does that make sense? It is just my arbitrary decision though, I don’t mean this to criticize people who choose it.
Also, I quite literally read the book Matilda by Roald Dahl over a hundred times when I was a kid. I guess I just found the story incredibly appealing. So I’ll throw that in as my favorite children’s book

36. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Ravyn: glad you agree - the idea is to help keep the community feel of the site by letting the regular readers/commenters chat without being interfered with by temporary visitors that are hitting the site because of front pages on their favorite social network (which is not listverse).

37. David - February 6th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

Sometimes A Great Notion - Ken Kesey. If you ever wanted to know what living in Oregon feels like, or aspire to become a logger. A great book.

The Count of Monte-Cristo - Alexandre Dumas. A great novel about Napoleonic life. Also, there’s revenge, murder, money, and sword fights. Dumas also wrote The Three Musketeers, and The Man in the Iron Mask

38. crimsonchrissi - February 6th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

1. HitchHiker’s Guide (Trilogy) - priceless

2. The Stand

3. Of Mice and Men .. amen!

39. Mac - February 6th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

Jamie, I’ve only read Something Happens, and didn’t enjoy it, which is a shame, although apparently Catch As Catch Can (collection of short stories and essays) is very good.

I think any writer would be challanged to surpass or equal their masterpiece (and of course, some don’t even try, like Margaret Mitchell and Harper Lee).

40. jfrater - February 6th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Mac: so true - though luckily some do - William Burroughs for example - famous mostly for Naked Lunch, but all the books that followed were masterly!

41. Csimmons - February 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

My top 10 are as follows
1.The Harry Potter Series

2.The Artemis Fowl Series

3.Roll of thunder, hear my cry

4.Tom Sawer

5.Hucklberry Finn

6.War and Peace

7.The War of the worlds

8.Cirque Du Freak (the whole series)

9.The Giver

10.And anything by Edgar Allen Poe.
There, thats my 2 cents

42. longball - February 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

OMG….my idea worked. thanks JF! Now for favorite authors….lolz

Sosh there are so many to choose from. how can i pick between Obsidian Butterfly from laurell k. hamilton and enders game by orson scott card or sword of shannarah by terry brooks or Legacy of the Drow by r.a. salvatore. Redwall by Brian Jaques. The skies of Pern by Anne McAfferey. chronicles of narnia by c.s. lewis, hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by douglas adams, killkeny by louis L’Amour, Left Behind by timothy LaHaye, davinchi code by dan brown. and that doesn’t even begin to cover the great books i’ve read. i guess i would have to say message to garcia is the best book ever. short and best moral. Semper Fi

43. longball - February 6th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

oh…and try reading andersonville. good book but so hard to read.

44. Csimmons - February 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm

I think Harry Potter is the best book series ever, mainly because of its contributions of literature to children, and letting me see the very hot Emma Watson as Hermoine

45. Csimmons - February 6th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

i wouldn’t consider the bible the best book ever, mainly because it tells a lot of lies it proclaims to be true, and some very disturbing things, like the story of Moses’s son having his foreskin cut off by flint, OUCH!

46. GP - February 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

I personally am a huge, huge fan of Wilde, so I’ll cheat and say The Importance Of Being Earnest. (A play, I know, but indulge me..) Hereby I include the Picture of Dorian Gray, as his only actual novel.

1284 by Orwell.

The book thief by Markus Zusak. It made me cry for 45 minutes straight. It’s narrated by death.

I’m sure I know of a lot more but I can’t think much right now. Just wanted to comment.

47. kyle91223 - February 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

the giver, story of b, ishmael

48. kyle91223 - February 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

the golden compass

49. g c - February 6th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Some combination between

Cat’s Cradle
Catch-22
1984

50. g c - February 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Also throw in Of Mice and Men in my list

51. Borg - February 6th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

Csimmons: A lot of books tell lies that they proclaim to be true. For instance, the Scarlet Letter starts with a preface saying that the following story can be verified by documents and evidence discovered by the narrator. This is not believed to be actually true, but is rather a literary device used by Nathaniel Hawthorne to give dramatic emphasis to the story. Another example is one of my favorite books, Demian, which was published under the name of the narrator, Emil Sinclair, and written in first person though in reality it was written by Herman Hesse.

52. byaskal - February 6th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

To Kill a Mockingbird, definitely. Quickly followed by Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King.

53. SlickWilly - February 6th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

jfrater: I’ll be one to voice my opposition to these “best (blank) ever” your-view lists. Perhaps I concentrate too much on the objective of the list, or what I perceive as the objective, namely…a serious discussion about why a book or movie or whatever is better than every other one, and the fact that most people seem to take “best (blank) ever” casually to mean “my favorite (blank) ever.”

I mean…yes, yes, it facilitates discussion….but how can anyone say one great book or movie is better than other great books or movies? There is definately an upper echelon in both cateogies, but one that stands out…..eeeeesh. I think maybe I would find it a bit easier to swallow if you clarify whether we are supposed to discuss, literally, the best book ever written or just name our favorite books. I have a hard time with a list about “best book ever written” that includes the harry potter series and any stephen king book (though I absolutely ADORE both) with books the likes of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and War and Peace.

Anyway, that’s my two cents. Good idea, a little clarification would be nice so the LV community can work together towards a common goal, rather than bitching about why one pop-culture book is better than another.

54. Ruairi - February 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

lol @ Csimmons #44 -

I hope you are referring to the latest film(s?) with regards to her hotness

55. KKing - February 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

Greatest adventure book: The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
Greatest book of 19th century: Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky (it actually changed the way I look at life)
Greatest book(s) of 20th century: Light in August, William Faulkner (shockingling realistic) and The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald (the most beautifully tragic work ever)
Favorite book to read over and over: Of Mice and Men

56. KKing - February 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

And authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, etc., are overflowing with creativity but seem to lack meaningful substance. Real writers (in the classical sense) have it all in truly realistic form.

Thanks

57. Amy - February 6th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Out of the Silent Planet, 1984, Animal Farm, Ulysses and Girlfriend in a coma.

58. Borg - February 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

And my pick for greatest book of all time, as stated previously on another list, is Don Quixote. Not only is it the best-selling non-religious, non-political, book of all time, but its influence has permeated throughout literary and artistic works for nearly 400 years. It continues to be relevant today. For me personally, I find Quixote himself a fascinating figure. The rest of society sees him as a deluded romantic, fighting evil giants who are not there, loving ugly women he believes to be beautiful princesses, and espousing the long-believed-to-be-dead notions of chivalry. However, there is something noble in his blind idealism, in his attempt to give meaning to his life, to live with honor, despite the doubts of everyone around him. Who is more foolish? Those who submit themselves to hopelessness and live dull and loveless lives or Quixote who adapts his perspective and lives a happy honorable life fighting evil in the name of his doting princess?

59. SlickWilly - February 6th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

I would take 1984 out of the running, but that’s just me. That book was interesting, but very boring and dry. Of course, I could be biased. I’m sure I might have enjoyed it more if I had picked it up of my own accord and didn’t have it shoved down my throat in 10th grade. Same goes for the Great Gatsby. Same goes for All the King’s Men. (I did like Gatsby slightly more than the others, though. It’s beautifully tragic.)

60. arob - February 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

My personal fave is James Joyce Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Oh Stephen Dedalus…..

61. newsong - February 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Well, I waver between OSC’s Treason, which is pretty fabulous, and 1984 and Slaughterhouse 5. I think one of the best stories I have ever read, though not long enough to be a book, is The Yellow Wallpaper. It’s genius. There’s a LOT of amazing books I’ve read. Too many to pick a top one, even just one in each genre.

62. newsong - February 6th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

Oh, and I shouldn’t miss “Dust” by Arthur Slade. Fabulous, chilling, descriptive… and The Englishman’s Boy. Both of those are by local authors who I have had the privilege of talking to.

63. Dana - February 6th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

1984. I think I read it through twice a year.

64. Aaron - February 6th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

I love Phantom by Susan Kay. The characters are all so interesting and I feel like you really get to know them, the story fascinating and the style and feel of the whole book is just simply amazing, it blows me away ever time I have the pleasure of reading it.

65. scstar - February 6th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

Though not a science buff, I think A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawkins is the best book ever. The book is a lay person’s explanation about physics and the world around us. The book touches on aspects of space, quantum physics and even time travel. After reading it, you are put in awe of the universe in almost a religious sort of way, as in reading the Bible.

The Bible might be the best story of all time, being both thought provoking and entertaining. However, living in a new scientific age, not even imagined when the Bible was created, this book captures just as much imagination and thought provocation as the Bible. Though it is not a fictional tale the telling tale of the universe seems just as apt as any other tale.

66. copperdragon - February 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

the bible is certainly one of the most popular, but not necessarily the best.

my favorites are the Iliad and the Odyssey and the HP series, but I think the best book EVER is….1001 Arabian Nights.

How many other books can you read a story every night for almost 3 years and never repeat?

67. el duderino - February 6th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

Foucault’s Pendulum is a good read, It’s like The Da Vinci Code for people who don’t move their lips when they read.
My favorite is Blood Meridian By Cormac McCarthy, an audacious effort that is perhaps the most violent story you will ever encounter.
Ernest Hemingway said that Anna Karenina was the greatest novel ever written, I tend to agree. Madame Bovary is in the same league, even in English.
Catcher in The Rye was one of my favorites until I reread it years later, either it changed or I did.
Jack Kerouac’s On The Road made a huge impact on me the first time I read it. Even though it’s poorly written in some places in shines in others.
Grendel by John Gardner is a great read, if only to revisit the idea that everybody, or thing, has their/it’s reasons.

68. Kurtis - February 6th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

Maybe a bit esoteric but “High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby.

69. Henry - February 6th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

I read the godfather, that was awesome, period.

70. bwmyers18 - February 6th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

My fave Stephen King novel was Needful Things. Never have I been so excited to hear a movie was being made, then thoroughly p***ed off IN THE THEATER because of what a piece of crap the film was. But the book was epic - tied up all the loose ends and remaining characters from all the Castle Rock stories while giving us a taste of what everyone wants … that is, anything you want. Great story.

71. sam - February 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

for pure enjoyment
A confederacy of dunces
Cider house rules
I’m not qualified to comment on “best of all time” as I haven’t read nearly enough.

72. hinjew - February 6th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is my absolute favorite. Every time I read it it makes me want to become such a better person. I’ve read it quite a few times and it just gets better with every read.

From school, my favorite book was To Kill A Mockingbird. It was just one of those books that make you feel really good when you read it. One that I haven’t seen mentioned is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I know it’s something people usually read in school, but it was an amazing read and I enjoyed branching out from the normal American-English Lit that’s usually force fed to people.

73. Randall - February 6th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

arob:

BRAVO. And Dubliners too… though that’s a collection of short stories.

74. Randall - February 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

SlickWilly… the Debbie Downer of List Universe. (See #53)

75. Mom424 - February 6th, 2008 at 5:36 pm

Randall; My mom would agree with you, she has suggested that I read Tropic of Cancer, and to my embarrassment I haven’t gotten around to it, I will now.
Jfrater; The Stand is SK’s masterpiece, character study and universal themes, and Gary Sinese looks nothing like Stu Redmond.
I can’t really decide what my favourite book is, and I will probably change my mind next week. I will narrow it down to a couple…
Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco; grand mystery but the rather formal language may be off-putting for some ( I will do Foucault’s Pendulum next)
The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, I love the whole back history/mythology of Middle Earth, I love the complexity of it, and the whole David/Goliath thing, and the non-fruity romance of it.
Dune by Frank Herbert, I love the religious overtones of this awesome S/F classic. And I want to ride a sand-worm.(Anybody who saw the movie should do whatever they can to blot the memory and go read the book)
I also read loads of Old Nero Wolf mysteries, PD James, Anne Perry, Ian Fleming, Agatha Christie (i consider these my guilty pleasures)

76. Mom424 - February 6th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Slickwilly; I’m pretty sure what you’re bitching about is the entire point of the opinion lists….
I liked Yvegny Zamyatin’s We better than 1984, same point, better delivery….although I believe the “dryness” of 1984 was intentional and served the story

77. Diogenes - February 6th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

InfiniteJorge: nice name. anyway, naming Camus. Have you read “The Plague”? That may be up there with one of the best books I’ve read.

It’s funny, because I see lists by others here that are what’s “supposed to” be the best books, just like the best movies. And I’ve heard them again and again. Although Horror writer Stevie King has come up quite often here. No wonder- being accessable and one of the most sold. Very popular.

Most of my favorites dont fall in the fiction area like a lot of these do. See, I grew up on a diet of magazines mostly…. happyface icon goes here.
Of the tangible books and to say this one is the best” I havent a clue.I can only toss out titles that have had a power over me in some way. To be lucky with the right book at the right time, can make one’s world rock and bob and sway.
And theres also a whole hell of a lot of pulp that can keep a reader up all night.

78. Randall - February 6th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

Mom:

Take care. Tropic is not an easy book, though nowhere NEAR as difficult a read as Joyce or some other Modernists. Actually Tropic moves along at a pace, but you gotta watch it–when you’re not looking it throws a sucker punch at you. It doesn’t fight fair. If you were a man, I’d say watch out for your ‘nads.

Plus it’s full of…. dirty words. (Yay, dirty words!)

You gotta work out a little to read Miller. Lift some weights, do some extensions, run a lap or two.

No, I’m just being silly. I love Henry Miller and don’t find him hard at all, but he’s not always “smooth.” *Sometimes* he goes overboard into surrealism-land, but not in Tropic of Cancer. And not so much in Tropic of Capricorn, or Black Spring, (well… some) or The Colossus of Maroussi, or The Air-Conditioned Nightmare–which in my opinion are his best books, though the last two are non-fiction.

The Wikipedia low-down on Henry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Miller

79. Diogenes - February 6th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

hinjew: Oh yeh, Siddhartha! I remember reading it when I was a teen and reading it with the book turned upside down because I read that that was how River Pheonix read it! Go figure?!?!

80. Mom424 - February 6th, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Randall; wtf are you talking about. I know curse words and terms that would make bikers blush, and I use them. I am polite and realize that my regular language would be offensive to some (read most) so I don’t. Same thing with the 70 year old next door neighbour……

81. Randall - February 6th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

Mom:

WTF am I talking about? WTF are YOU talking about, b****? Muthaf***** &^%+#$!

Ha ha ha. Oh so funny.

WELL… I HARDLY meant to characterize you as a Pollyanna. I was just makin’ a joke. I love all the curse words in existence, myself.

82. Diogenes - February 6th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

I have a friend from Lawerence Kansas and lived down the street from W. Burroughs, and he(my friend) swears that he(my friend) used to see him(Burroughs) and Samuel Beckett leave the house for fishing trips together.

Beckett and Burroughs on a boat on a pond

83. jesse - February 6th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

everytime i try to read i give up, not that i cant haha, i just become zombified

84. Mom424 - February 6th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

Randall; rofl, yup that’s me, dope smokin’, cursin’, pollyanna!
Although an Indian (native canadian) friend of mine told me that she couldn’t take me to her sisters’ house….cuz I look like a social worker…..

85. JMS Bones - February 6th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

86. Diogenes - February 6th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

My expectations for “The Magus” may have been a bit high when I read it, although I was taken in and recommended it to my best/most read friend. It was years ago and I can still recall the story, so It has that. But what bugged me was the main character guy. Was it me and who I was then, but I found his personality a distraction from an otherwise interesting story.
I had read Francoise Gilot’s book on Picasso a couple of years or four before and so when I read the Magus. Picasso took the role of ,yup, The Magus.

87. Diogenes - February 6th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

JMS Bones- Theres a good book called “Papa Hemingway” thats a great read.
And what does Paul Newman Salad Dressing and Hemingway have in common? The writer of the already mention book.

88. Csimmons - February 6th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Ruari: Yes I am, If i was talking about the book, itd be weird

89. dgsinclair - February 6th, 2008 at 6:32 pm

1. The Bible - not because of it’s literary beauty, necessarily, but because of its life-transforming content.

2. Sci Fi: Ender’s Game by Card

3. Leadership: Spiritual Leadership by Sanders

90. Einstein217 - February 6th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

Once again, I’m torn between what I like and what’s is great. For me, Moby Dick is a great book, but I didn’t like it. Same goes for the Canterbury Tales. But like all other art, literature is subjective. And therein, lies the beauty. I think the greatest book ever written that I have read is War and Peace, but it is not in the top ten of my favorite books. If I was to name my personal favorite greatest book, I go with A Confederacy of Dunces.

91. unbiased - February 6th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbons

92. DRay - February 6th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Every element of that book is a multi-tiered work of mastery. It’s also the only book that has gotten me so into the story that I would at times have to take a break from to deal with the emotions that it caused, e.g. there was an event in the story that made me so mad that I just had to close the book for a while and relax. It was a very powerful moment.

93. SlickWilly - February 6th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

Mom424: Maybe so, but labeling the list “best book ever written”…I guess I just have a different idea when I hear someone say: “Discuss what the greatest book ever written was and why,” I get a much more objective idea of “greatest book.” Perhaps it’s a self-defeating mode of thought since I already said its impossible to pick the best book ever written….whatever.

As far as 1984 is concerned, I thought Brave New World was a more captivating and rich depiction of a future dystopian society. Not to mention, like, HALF of 1984 is nothing but Goldstein’s book on philosophy. I never really like Ayn Rand for similar reasons. I read for pleasure, or I read for information, and (for me at least) ne’er the twain shall meet.

94. gabrielAmerican - February 6th, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Non-Fiction…The Histories by Herodotus
Fiction….The Bible (KJV)

95. riledupone - February 6th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

A Confederacy of Dunces, Stranger In a Stange Land, Slaughterhouse Five and Camus’ The Stranger. As a kid, I couldn’t get enough of Harriet The Spy! I wanted to BE Harriet. My mother even bought me a second-hand trench coat as I thought that that’s what spies would wear.

96. riledupone - February 6th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

Stranger in a stange land was written by Heinlein’s cousin Myrtle LOL. Robert Heinlein wrote Stranger In A Strange Land.

97. nelson - February 6th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

le petit prince

98. goof_ball - February 6th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

Is it bad that I haven’t read many books?

99. Camille - February 6th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

It is difficult to conceive of just one book which, regardless of personal feelings, could be considered ‘the best’. So many have shaped not only Literature as a whole, but men and women too, that even if we take only the ones written in English one would be very hard pressed to find just one that pulverizes all other books with its richness, its scope, its elevated thought and ability to drive men to admire something in Life that they would not have been able to do on their own. Some have placed forward The King James Bible. And to those of you who did, it was a wise choice. It was said, by very eminent men, that if everything else in the English language was to be destroyed and only that book was to survive, it would still, regardless of its content, be considered one of the most beautifully written books in the world. Others have chosen works of literature that have been written in the last 100 years or so. Very well. These authors too have left us with incredible works of art, some more than others, but in the whole we can all agree that whether it is Stephen King or James Joyce we are talking about, both, and everyone else standing in the middle, have changed peoples lives at some point or other. So, let us consider the work that may stand supreme above all others. All personal feeling aside. For myself, I will name these but will not rank them in any particular order:

1) The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan. — A book, that in my opinion, could be translated to any language and still mark any one who reads it. Whether ones agrees with was is being read or not, it is impossible to deny that this man, the author, had one hell of a brush. Or a pen, for that matter.

2) Don Juan by Lord Byron. — Yes, Byron had massive defects, and his epic poem is not really an epic in the traditional sense of the word. But he was a man with a keen, keen eye and an acute sense of judgment and, quite frankly, a very complex but delightful humor. Much of the story deals, of course, with issues from his era, but even if you don’t know it yet, there are many passages in he poem that seem to be really, truly, written by a man living at this very moment. A master of Satiric verse.

3) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. — I am not American, but I believe that this book shows, in a very unique way, the struggles of Americans at large, even when Fitzgerald writes it from the point of view of a young man living and moving inside a high and powerful social class. It is impressive how in just one book the essence of the “American Dream” is laid bare. For better or worse.

And 4) Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. — He showed in this work that even when language and words cross the line to the realm of nonsense, still it was possible to create a profound impact on young and old readers alike. The young will admire it for its vivid imagery and the old will find in some its passages brilliant humor in the face of perplexity.

There are many more, no? One book will never be enough.

100. Russ - February 6th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Either “The Door into Summer” by Robert Heinlein, or “Round the Bend” by Nevil Shute, I can’t decide which.

101. khen913 - February 6th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

The Green Mile
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Giver
Animal Farm
Fight Club

102. shortomoney - February 6th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

The Old Man and the Sea

103. magmire - February 6th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Well it’s hard to seperate favorites from greats, so I’ll categorize. Catch-22 is simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, and it is probably my favorite read of all time. Siddharta and its modern analogue, Life of Pi, are both some of my favorites as well due to their fascinating examinations of spirituality. As for the greatest of all time, that title has to belong to Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, War and Peace, Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, or Faulkner’s A Light in August and The Sound and the Fury. I would give it ever so slightly to Karamazov, 1000 pages plus that you read through in a zap. Painfully believable characters, an examination of mind and man, a plot thicker than blood, beautifully written {enough so that I am trying to learn Russian in order to read the original} No book will ever have so great an emotional impact or cause you to think more than Karamazov.

104. unbiased - February 6th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Nelson - Excellent choice. First book I read in French.

105. xiphos88 - February 6th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

even though it is a collection of short stories the king in yellow is an amazing read

106. Harsha - February 6th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

If you ask me its ‘Lolita’. Ok so the story is very controversial, but the style of writing is amazing.

107. someguy - February 6th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

The Dictionary is the greatest book ever written because it will always be useful and it is the only place where success comes before work(Lombardi)hahaha!

108. hg8057 - February 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

109. seymour - February 6th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke. I used to hate Science Fiction books…until I read this one. Tell me I’m wrong.

110. Nelia - February 6th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Jfrater - I like these “your view” lists, but it might be fun to do a list that is a little more specific. I think it would facilitate more discussion because there would be a smaller pool of books, movies, whatever to choose from because there would be more overlapping of choices.

111. Yogi Barrister - February 6th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Catch 22
Sometimes A Great Notion
Tom Sawyer
The Phantom Tollbooth
Lonesome Dove
Harry Potter Series
Dune
V
Alice in Wonderland

112. stormy617 - February 6th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

I think that Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is an excellent book. It is a very moving story. I had heard about it for years but just read it for the first time a few months ago.

113. Slummy - February 6th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

I started a voting list for this over at Mclisty so you can actually keep track of who likes what and vote on it. Link as website above.

114. Slummy - February 6th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Err link is http://www.mclisty.com/?listNum=53, sorry

115. dreamcatcher - February 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

to kill a mockingbird. Hand downs.

116. Noah - February 6th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

I always hesitate to name a best book; I don’t think I have the brains to determine that. I will name my favorite: the three that came straight to my head were On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Illuminations by Arthur Rimbaud, and Our Lady of the Flowers by Jean Genet. Illuminations doesn’t really count because it’s poetry, but I think it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever read. Our Lady is probably my choice then, because it combines the incredibly beautiful and terrifying prose of Rimbaud and the spontaneous bursts of energy of Kerouac into the greatest novel I’ve ever read.
So yeah, Our Lady of the Flowers is my pick for novel, but I favor Rimbaud for greatest book I’ve ever read.

117. Monique - February 6th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

I honestly have to say that I feel the greatest book ever written would have to be “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky. This is the one book that truly changed my entire perception of life and how I look at other people and myself.

Also, being an English major or Human Being,I have realized that no other book has been referenced more than The Bible, so that makes it the only option for the title of “The Best Book Ever Written”. The things written in this book affects our everyday lives on a regular basis whether or not you are a religious person or not.

118. satori - February 6th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

Ever ever ever ever ever HANDS DOWN “Le Petit Prince” Francois De Exupery (in english) “The Little Prince”-it’s a kids book, but in my opinion needs to be read by every person at least once in their lives.

119. robotoisawesome - February 6th, 2008 at 10:24 pm

@Camille, if we are going to be talking poems, one of the poems that requires mentioning is “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. You’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful piece of work in my own opinion.

As far as best book ever written I would have to say War and Peace as its a beautiful piece of literature, as well as a groundbreaking one.

But if we are just talking about my favorite, i have to give my hats off to the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, it didn’t finish off as well as i would have liked but the sheer joy these books bring me is scary at times.

120. Kirsten - February 6th, 2008 at 11:02 pm

Pride and Prejudice, without a doubt.

121. Miss Destiny - February 6th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

Hmm, well I love to read, but I haven’t read a lot of the classics, except of course, what I had to read in school. I read The Old Man and the Sea, and the Scarlet Letter and I HATED them. I know they’re supposed to be these brilliant pieces of literature but I was bored to tears, I had to force my way through them so I didn’t fail. We read Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and I really enjoyed that for some reason.

Anyway, I have to give a nod to the Harry Potter series. I don’t care if people think they’re books for children, I have rarely been so emotionally moved by books than I have with the HP series. I’ve teared up while reading, but only while reading Harry Potter did I actually cry so much that I could barely read the pages. (I sobbed over the fifth and seventh books.) Nothing else I have read made me eagerly anticipate the next installment, spend countless hours analyzing every chapter, every line, wondering if I could guess what would happen.

Other than that, high on my list is the LOTR trilogy (I’ve yet to finish Return of the King though), and the Hobbit, as well as Da Vinci Code (I don’t care the “facts” are “fiction” - I loved the story and I couldn’t put it down). Two of my favorite authors are Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, they do a lot of fantasy writing together, mainly the Dragonlance series. I’ve been reading them since I was a preteen. Where the Red Fern Grows was always a favorite when I was young, as well as Black Beauty. Black Beauty was a very early favorite of mine. Then of course there is Green Eggs and Ham.

122. mebd - February 7th, 2008 at 12:36 am

Here are a few minus any Biblical or Greek text.

1. A Heart Breaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
2. The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
3. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
4. Animal Farm - George Orwell
5. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

3,4, and 5 are classics.
2 will eventually be there.
1 is by far the best book I have ever read.

123. Yikkity - February 7th, 2008 at 1:21 am

“Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison. Not only did it help me understand myself but it also helped me write my senior thesis. I see it as a life saver. Great book.

124. Prozacsoldier - February 7th, 2008 at 1:36 am

classics:
hamlet- william shakespeare
faustus- goethe
les miserables - victor hugo
don quijote de la mancha - miguel de cervantes de saavedra
decameron - bocaccio

more classics:
ulisses -james joyce
steppen wolf- herman hesse
red and black - stendhal
justine - marques of sade
and I mostly read in spanish, that’s my mother tongue, the language I speak

and i also like:
under the vulcano - malcolm lowry
one hundred years of loneliness - g. garcia marquez
the aleph - jorge luis borges
Rayuela- julio cortazar

I like classic books, there is a library a few blocks from my house and I use to go there on saturdays after work, get some books and read them on sundays

125. Ginny - February 7th, 2008 at 2:02 am

Gone with the Wind. Scarlett O’Hara’s plight through the American civil war and Reconstruction is just incredible. If I could only read one book for the rest of my days it would have to be Gone with the Wind, particularly because the first chapter is so different from the last…it’s almost as if they weren’t even the same story. It’s also the most tragic romance I’ve ever come upon. Romeo and Juliet is hardly comparable, even though they die in the end they had each other. Rhett watches the woman he truly loves pine for another, and by the time Scarlett comes to realize or appreciate the fact that she loves him back he’s already been hurt so much that he doesn’t care anymore. Every time I finish the book I want to throw it at a wall because of how depressing it is.

I didn’t mean to spoil, but I think just about everyone is aware of the, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” ending… The movie hardly compares, and the sequel is a major let-down.

Also: 1984 (even if it was slow and dry), A Million Little Pieces and its sequel My Friend Leonard, just about anything by David Sedaris, Hairstyles of the Damned, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, something called Smack or Junk (I can’t remember) and…there are others I adored that I think I should mention but I can’t remember them =/

On the topic of books (and this is really more of a play than a book) Our Town is probably the worst thing I’ve ever read. I can see how the theme is great, but I really could not stand how hard it was pushed and how…false everything seemed.

The Georgia Nicolson series is great for a laugh too. (Angus Thongs and Full Frontol Snogging is the first book.)

126. Reea - February 7th, 2008 at 2:17 am

The best book ever written is Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, it’s pure passion and sensuality, in a very classic but modern way

Another awesome book is The Pianist by Elfriede Jelinek. It’s ultra shocking and skin deep.

The Magician by John Fowles impressed me a lot also. It’s all about the mystery.

127. BitsandPieces - February 7th, 2008 at 2:21 am

This is so cool my first comment ever is on a book question. I love this site and for some reason never registered.

I read way more then I probably should. Of course classics like 1984 and Catcher in the Rye rank way up on my list.Who doesn’t love those? They wouldn’t be classics otherwise.

Also, But Inside I’m Screaming by Elizabeth Flock is really good. Basically, this famous newscaster freezes on air and has a nervous breakdown after and ends up in a psychiatric facility. Really a good book about overcoming stuff but not being all cliche about it. Along the same lines was A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. Yah he lied but its a really good book in my opinion.

Heavier then Heaven is a Kurt Cobain biography. Very good but sad of course. No happily ever after in that one.

And as offbeat and out of left field as it may be Happy Endings by Jim Norton is hysterical and its nice to look at fame without the rose colored glasses on.

128. Sonis - February 7th, 2008 at 2:44 am

With regards to Literary classics, I prefer to watch adaptions on tv as find poetic writing hard to read & hard to get into, although I’m sure the sentiment is beautiful (as shown in adaptions eg Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen). However The Picture Of Dorian Gray managed to terrify me!

I do think modern literature should not be ignored having recently finished “The Time Traveller’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger - what a beautiful story and so original. Also - the whole Harry potter series is really amazing.

129. Daves_Kicking_Game - February 7th, 2008 at 4:36 am

The Bible is in a league of its own, I mean God is the author after all.

Other than the bible:
Lord of the Flies

130. Amanda - February 7th, 2008 at 5:00 am

I have a few favorites, but the series I’ve read the most over the years is The Chronicles of Narnia. If you read them when you are young and then read them when you are older, you will understand them in a different way.

I also like The Harry Potter series (yay J.K. Rowling for making kids want to read!), 1984, A Brave New World, The Green Mile, Lord of the Flies, and Angels and Demons. Probably others that I can’t think of right now.

jfrater: great idea you have here! I think that you should make a “summary” list of what people have answered, maybe the top 10 books we have listed here. That might involve a lot of work though, but that’s what interns are for right?

131. heavybison - February 7th, 2008 at 5:15 am

Wow..u guys all read so much. All i ever manage to read is pulpy detective and thriller stuff. James Hadley Chase and Robert Ludlum anyone?

132. heavybison - February 7th, 2008 at 5:16 am

Not to forget Raymond Chandler and Rex Stout.

133. Bondles - February 7th, 2008 at 6:06 am

I have a bone to pick with anyone nominating The Bible as one of the best books ever written. The language is childishly simple, the characters painfully one-dimensional, and the story mind-numbingly simplistic (hero infallible, invulnerable, and all-conquering; villain scheming, evil without motivation, and invariably defeated). At no point does it create any tension or genuine empathy (any empathy for Christ is (a) misplaced, and (b) a product of 2000 years of culture, not the writing). The wisdom is seldom more than platitudes (even assuming the reader is willing to go to the effort of separating the “love thy neighbour” wheat from the “shun women on their period” chaff), and is much more accessible and better-covered in Confucius. If you’re asserting its effect on peoples’ lives is testament to its literary quality, why not choose the Qu’ran, Rig Veda, or Tao Te Ching?

The Harry Potter series is great, but nothing really new or remarkable, even by the standards of children’s literature, where the Chronicles of Narnia and the Dark is Rising series have it beaten hands-down. A side note, though: If you like Harry Potter as youth/young-adult, real-world-but-not fiction/adventure, have a crack at John Marsden’s Tomorrow, When the War Began series.

134. Mystern - February 7th, 2008 at 6:26 am

My gods Jamie, you really do have an expansive subject going on here.
The best book ever written . . .
. . .
. . .
I guess if you’re asking about the best book ever written altogether, mine would have to be a work of non-fiction. I know many of you have heard me barking up this tree before, but it has to be The Satanic Bible.
While the title is misleading, the book is truly a rational, in-depth study of human nature and the impact religion has had on society.

135. Bondles - February 7th, 2008 at 6:27 am

I just stopped to think that I should really include some of my own opinions, instead of just bagging others. I couldn’t possibly pick one book, because I don’t think there is one best book of all time, but there are a few in the top echelon.

I certainly agree with Camille on Alice in Wonderland (and Through the Looking Glass), although this may just be because I’m a logician (as Carroll was). It changed the way I thought about meaning — the fact that Jabberwocky is intelligible is impressive.

I have enjoyed many books, but only a couple have really stopped me in my tracks with their literary genius. These are The Old Man and the Sea, The Grapes of Wrath, and Anna Karenina. I suppose I enjoy these because of the beautiful character portraits they present, rather than the plot. In all three, the plot is rather dull, but that’s part of the genius; it’s hard to identify with the gun totin’ superheroes in Matt Riley books, even though they have great plots and read extremely quickly. The characters in these books are us. We can see reflections of ourselves in the characters in the books I’ve named.

I also have a couple of particular personal favourites, although I wouldn’t elevate them to the level of literary genius of those three; these are just ripping good reads: The Life of Pi is a great narrative on duality, The Little Prince (I’ve never read the French translation) calms me down and shows me beauty, and Gulliver’s Travels is just hilarious. I haven’t read The Book Thief yet, but if the reviews it’s getting (by people I trust to review books) is anything to go by, it’ll be close to the top of this list once I do.

136. Rich Anthony - February 7th, 2008 at 6:40 am

Arthur C Clark’s “The City and the Stars” or
Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles”

137. Celeste - February 7th, 2008 at 6:57 am

Hunchback of Notre Dame, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Perfume, and Trent’s Last Case. For more recent ones, Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.

138. DiscHuker - February 7th, 2008 at 7:22 am

i thought “it” by steven king was amazing, until i got to the end. rather disappointing to travel through 1200 pages of excitement to find, in my opinion, a poor conclusion.

obviously, i would place the Bible on here. for its poetry, honesty and Godly qualities. even the bizarre stories.

i loved “the great divorce” by c.s. lewis. such amazing imagery and the ability to tell a story that rings true to me.

i doubt it qualifies as great literature, but when i was a kid i really enjoyed the garfield series.

139. huxley75 - February 7th, 2008 at 7:25 am

“Brave New World” for it’s predictions of the future - especially for the time it was written - and for being completely different than any other Aldous Huxley book. I’d put the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings at a VERY close second due to the depth of the back-story involved with them and their overal linguistic beauty for the invented languages (and cultures) of Tolkein.

140. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 7:35 am

I never get tired of reading the Illiad - Robert Feagles translation. So many memorable lines and a significant impact on the history of civilization. For some reason it never gets boring or tedious to me.

I also enjoyed the assembly instructions for the dinner table I bought at Walmart. The illustrations and intricate details really held my attention from start to finish. The twisted ending just threw me for a loop for months.

141. heavybison - February 7th, 2008 at 7:38 am

“assembly instructions for the dinner table”…did i read that right?

142. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 7:38 am

Disc

Have you read “Till We Have Faces” by Lewis?

143. PANIC - February 7th, 2008 at 7:48 am

I will have to agree with everyone who says le petite prince by antoine st exupery (sp?) Its my fav, anyway.

144. Patrask - February 7th, 2008 at 7:49 am

“The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri.

145. DiscHuker - February 7th, 2008 at 7:50 am

bucslim: not yet but it is on my “to read” list by lewis.

i too have read something from Mr. Wal Mart very similar, assembly instructions for book shelf. i must say his writing style was very frustrating. almost like he had no concept of what he was trying to relay to me. very disappointing.

146. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 7:50 am

Yes heavybison, it really made an impact on my life. Now instead of eating off of the counter, I can enjoy dinner on a pressed woodpulp surface with oak veneer.

I can fax it to you if you want a similar experience.

147. SlickWilly - February 7th, 2008 at 7:50 am

bucslim: Oy…the Illiad. The ONLY book in my 11th grade english class I simply could not finish. It is probably the most tedious, rambling book I have ever tried to read. I’m a fast reader and it took me hours to get through a single chapter. I stopped reading after the 50th page or so and used Cliff Notes to pass the test. I’ve never had that happen since then.

As long as I can’t thwart what is happening in this thread, I might as well indulge in it and throw out “The Screwtape Letters” by Lewis. WAAAAAAAY better than ANY of the Narnia books. I also thought “Faust” by Goethe and “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri were excellent (though, for both, you must, must, must have the proper translation to fully enjoy it.)

148. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 7:54 am

Disc, let me know when you do read it. It helped me get through my divorce. It has a lot to say about who God is.

149. Bob - February 7th, 2008 at 8:04 am

Ulysses was a hoax but the “literary” world still has yet to acknowledge the fact. Good job toeing the line on that one.

Dante’s Comedy is indeed the finest work of literary art ever written.

150. SlickWilly - February 7th, 2008 at 8:08 am

As long as were on artful literature, I’m with Jfrater….Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs….the pinnacle of psychedelic literature. This is the book that popularized the cut-out writing technique. It….makes little sense, in retrospect, but I suppose I love it for its uniqueness, its VIVID imagery, and its looney and schizophrenic atmosphere.

151. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 8:18 am

Slick - you pussy. You mean to tell me you thought the Divine Comedy was a walk in the park and you couldn’t get through the Illiad?

And as long as we’re going to carry on two conversations at the same time, let’s just meet somewhere and share our thoughts in a manly way.

152. TMo - February 7th, 2008 at 8:28 am

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

153. fydeaux - February 7th, 2008 at 8:59 am

Add another vote for A Confederacy of Dunces. It’s the only book I’ve ever gone back to re-read every 2-3 years and I manage to find something I missed each time I do.

Rounding out a favourites list, I would have to include A Study in Scarlet by A Conan Doyle, Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove, Exceprts from the Diaries of the Late God by Anthony Towne, Huckleberry Finn, and The Book of Lists (all editions).

154. Jonas - February 7th, 2008 at 9:08 am

I think that the best book ever written is Rayuela from Julio Cortazar (it’s a pleasure to read it in spanish), and in second is the name of the rose from Umberto Eco

155. Louis - February 7th, 2008 at 9:29 am

Time Enough For love. Explores nearly every facet of human society and personality from a unique perspective.

156. RobS - February 7th, 2008 at 9:35 am

I’m with Social Butterfly on this. To Kill A Mockingbird is flat out fantastic.

157. Sian - February 7th, 2008 at 9:42 am

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho….life changing!

158. SlickWilly - February 7th, 2008 at 9:49 am

bucslim: Haha….yeah, I had a much easier time with Dante than Homer. Dante was really creative in his presentation. The rhyming triplets…I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else. It held my interest….the Inferno did, anyway. I got through Purgatory and Paradise. Purgatory was long and stagnant (I’m sure that’s what Dante intended) and Paradise is, well…kind of boring. I’m sure Dante intended that too, as he says several times that words simply cannot describe the beauty and grandeur of the place. Homer was long, long, long. There are so many gods and goddesses and ancient heros with similiar sounding names on both sides that I got lost in the quagmire of words. That book was crazy to me…it moved like an action scene when there was no action and it moved like a reflective scene when there was nothign but action….completely contradictory from what I’m used to in reading, and it made for a very clumsy read to me.

What’s the matter? Can’t carry on two lines of thought at once?

159. Liantener - February 7th, 2008 at 10:10 am

My vote would be for El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha.

160. ihavelegs - February 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am

I don’t read fiction at all really - unless you count the daily papers.

My favourite book of all time - and exceedingly well written is ‘The Code Book’ By Simon Singh…

It follows the history of codes for the encryption of data throughout history; written in such a manner that quite complicated methods and processes make sense… its possible to blast through the book - but if you are in anyway interested in geek subjects you can take your time and explore each of the methods he describes - something that really attracts me a book - hence not being particulalry fond of fiction…

I can’t however leave without mentioning my childhood favourites from Terry Pratchett.

Never been able to read the bible though :S

161. Sarah - February 7th, 2008 at 11:12 am

Personally, I also find it very hard to pick a “best of all time”, mostly because there have been so many books that I have enjoyed over the years.

I will say that I hated The Catcher in the Rye and The Stranger. I was forced to read those for an advanced placement high school course and found maybe one or two redeeming qualities about the books. I wouldn’t list anything by Stephen King since he (as well as many other amazing writers) seem to write more for content then for presenting a point with the literature. And I would never consider the Bible, for one because I find it to be good fiction only and for two, find it highly incredible since it has been rewritten, retranslated and edited over the years. But that is simply my opinion. By stating that I do not want to start a religious debate.

I would agree with those who stated The Giver already. I found that to be an amazing read. I would also consider anything by Jules Verne, especially 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. And I would also consider Angels and Demons as a modern option. Both works by Jules Verne and Angels and Demons presented facts mixed with fiction that made me think and kept me at the edge of my seat for more.

162. Randall - February 7th, 2008 at 11:18 am

SlickWilly:

Sorry, but I have to defend Homer. Homer is the yardstick for all Western Literature. Perhaps what you encountered was a poor translation. He’s also far better translated as poetry than prose (and of course the original text is poetry). Fagles and Lattimore, I think, are the best translations in recent years.

Both the Iliad and the Odyssey are riveting reads, absolutely riveting, if you read them carefully and have a decent translation.

163. kiwiboi - February 7th, 2008 at 11:42 am

Without giving this question the thought that it deserves, my choice would maybe be one of :

Clayhanger - Arnold Bennett
Madame Bovary - Flaubert
Appointment in Samarra - John O’Hara
Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
A Dance to the Music of Time - Anthony Powell

Twist my arm and I’d probably plump for Bovary.

164. mac - February 7th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Watchmen by Alan Moore, even though it’s a comic book it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever read

165. Mattias - February 7th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

166. Camille - February 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

Robotoisawesome: Yeah, I was thinking about that one as well. It is truly wonderful and the first couple of times that I read it I was very impressed with the way that STC handles the meter. I’ve read most of his other poems as well, but his prose is what really get’s me. His Biografia Literaria is one of the best works of prose that I have read.

But, back to the subject, I suppose you’ve read from other poets of that era. Is there any one else that you find you truly great?

167. Jackie - February 7th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

To have to say what’s the greatest book ever written…that’s too hard to say…I have a lot of reading to do to answer that one

BUT! What is the best book I have ever read? well I mentioned this one on another book list already but I’ll say it again….All Creatures Great and Small. It’s just incredible storytelling to me.

168. SlickWilly - February 7th, 2008 at 1:24 pm

Randall: You could be very right about the translation issue. Speaking of the Divine Comedy, I wrote an IB dissertation my senior year of high school that was an examination of Dante’s Inferno, for which I used at least three different translations. One was *far* better than the other two; it actually held my interest enough for me to want to continue on with the rest of the book. (It was the John Ciardi translation, I believe.) I might have been given a bad translation of Illiad. The book we used was in prose, not poetry, so that might be why it was so god-awful to me.

I read the Odyssey and liked it a lot, actually. It might have been a good translation, but I think it was the teacher I had that really brought it to life for me.

169. GRUMPYNZ - February 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

My favourite would be either Lord of the Flies by William Golding, or One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey.

170. DK - February 7th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

oh my…here goes. I apologize in advance for the wordiness of what I’m about to write…I’m known for talking too much!
I can’t choose a “best ever written” since I haven’t read every book ever written, and as many have said it’s very subjective, and hard to separate “best” from “favorite.”
Many of the best books I’ve ever read have already been mentioned, while many of the books mentioned, I haven’t yet read!

To Kill a Mockingbird was amazing. My mother tried for a couple years to get me to read it, I resisted and only read it when it was forced on me by HS English, I regret not reading it sooner!
Another I read in school was The Giver, which I had largely forgotten about until this list, but I remember REALLY liking that one. I really like that type of story, with the one person realizing that something’s not right about how we do things. A similar one was The Handmaid’s Tale, though I liked The Giver more. Lord of the Flies was another one I loved but would never have read unless it was assigned for school.

I am a HUGE fan of Stephen King, and have read several of his books, It was the first I read and I still love it, Bag of Bones or Green Mile or Eyes of the Dragon are my 3 favorites of the ones I’ve read. I tried to read The Stand once, but I was only 15, and only had it for 2 weeks from the library, and it was the extra long “unabridged” version and I just couldn’t get into it. As much as I love King, I doubt I would classify any of his works as “Best Ever.”
I agree with those who “didn’t get” Catcher in the Rye, I found it terribly boring, along with Gatsby.
Pillars of the Earth is definitely a favorite of mine, I have read it 3 times now, and recommend it to anyone I know that likes to read. I think it definitely belongs in the category of “one of the best.” Hitchhiker’s Guide (well, the whole series, which I read all in one volume) also ranks pretty high on my list.
The Harry Potter series is amazing, I cried many times throughout those books, and love the way that the stories matured with the characters, getting scarier & more dangerous as the children grew. Also, anything that gets kids THAT excited about reading is awesome to me! I was often scoffed at for my love of reading (I was the one that got in trouble for reading more than the teacher assigned each night!)

I was surprised not to have seen more mention of Ray Bradbury, who I also love. Farenheit 451 fits with the themes I mentioned liking in The Giver or Handmaid’s Tale, and is a great book, but my favorite of his is Something Wicked This Way Comes. That’s a book I have gone back to many times over the years, the writing makes me feel like I’m there with those kids!

Okay, almost done here! Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass…I don’t even know what to say. I read them several times as a child, and then several more times as an adult, and will probably read them many more through my life. There is a timelessness (is that a word?) about it that I just love.

Someone mentioned Green Eggs & Ham, so I’m gonna finish with my favorite “kids” book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It makes me cry every time.

171. Chestica - February 7th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. Tried to shake down the entire fiction genre…Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer is my favorite (therefore my best) book of all time. It was banned in America until the 60’s and you know if the Government doesn’t want you reading it, it’s a good read!

172. Chestica - February 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

1984- George Orwell
War and Peace- Tolstoy
Grapes of Wrath- Steinbeck
A Clockwork Orange- Burgess
A Modest Proposal- Twain. (Although not technically a book, still a fabulous literary treat)
The Giver- Lowry
On the Road- Kerouac
Harry Potter Series
Fahrenheit 451- Bradbury
The Diaries of the Family Dracul series by Jeanne Kalogridis is awesome

Bucslim: Til we have faces is one of my favorites! I read it 4 times in a row after I picked it off of the discount rack

173. Mariam67 - February 7th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

To Kill a Mockingbird. I laughed, I cried. Atticus Finch is the greatest fictional lawyer in the universe. That book always affected me so strongly because I felt as devastated as Jem when people turned a blind eye to evidence and impossibilities and instead let racism decide for them.

174. Jackie - February 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

Also I guess we can’t include plays…but Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read.

175. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 2:51 pm

Chestica,

I Faces was really thought provoking. I might even go home and read it again to see how I feel about it now.

176. bucslim - February 7th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

SlickWilly

If you’re still having trouble, I might suggest getting the Derek Jacobi audiobook of the Illiad. It’s off the hook.

177. SlickWilly - February 7th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

bucslim: I might give that a shot. Thanks.

178. Sorin - February 7th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

WE by Eugene Zamiatin. 1921

It is one of the most insightful books on human nature, meaning of life and humanity as a whole. It is also the original dystopian novel that Orwell, Huxley and Bradbury owe everything to.

179. Cedestra - February 7th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

I don’t think I’ve ever read the best book written. There are too many classics I haven’t had the chance to read that exemplify incredible character growth, detail, plot, and other such literary devices.
My favorite books are Johnathan Livingston Seagull and Strager in a Strange Land. Neither would I consider to be the end all of all books.

180. Yondofan12 - February 7th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. It so amazingly wacky that I couldn’t put it down. When I was younger my favorite book was “The Golden Compass” (although I haven’t seen the movie yet). That is so full of anti-church sentiments or anti authority that it is somewhat disturbing seen put into a children’s book.
“Encounters with the Archdruid” by John McPhee was another one that really had me. It captures the beauty of the American landscape and how that is being lost to rampant overpopulation and industrialization.

181. chsrocket47 - February 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

The Illiad and the Odyssey by Homer… hands down there is no better. it is said that there has been no original story since.

182. Kirk - February 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

‘Perfume’ by Patrick Suskind is beyond words
I recommend it to anyone, definitely.

183. clumsyk - February 7th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

Far too difficult to choose one, but my shortlist would have to contain the following:

Catch-22; Rabbit, Run; Slaughterhouse-Five; Lolita; The Tin Drum; The Unbearable Lightness of Being; A Farewell to Arms; To Kill a Mockingbird; Darkness at Noon; and Wide Sargasso Sea.

It has been brutal enough to narrow it down to even these!

184. california red - February 7th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

I also agree with To Kill a Mockingbird. I recently bought it to read it again. Also Gone With The Wind and Jane Eyre and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Agree with others on some:
Fave Stephen King - Bag of Bones, Lisey’s Story and The Shining (that book scared the bejeezus out of me and they ruined it when they made it into a movie. I was furious they changed the ending!)
Fave Dean Koontz - Odd Thomas
Fave kids books Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’dell and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle and The Diary of Anne Frank. I have all of my kids read those three.
Great topic! I like reading what everyone else thinks is a good book and I think I’ll check some of these out soon.

185. california red - February 7th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

Oh AND ONE MORE CATEGORY: Best foreign book I ever read in English translation (I can’t read Spanish) is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

186. Lynx - February 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Hands down…of course, it all depends on what criteria one is using to define “best book”..in my estimation a best book is a book that years later still leaves an impact. Mockingbird does just that..

187. sam - February 7th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

I have a fantastic reading list from this list. NICE!
I stopped reading for 2 1/2 years after “a confedercy of dunces” Nothing could hold my interest other than trashy magazines and non fiction after that book. A Lawrence Saunders got me back in the groove of reading…clearly, I am not a good example:) and have no business commenting on this list…I have high hopes of being well read one day:)

188. Nataliya - February 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

In my opinion, it’s 1984.
And I also liked Animal Farm by Orwell.
I like any dystopia books.
And Lolita was really good. And All Quiet on the Western Front.
And anything by Vonnegut is awesome.
Yeah. I can’t pick one book.
I was just gonna stick with 1984, but I started to ramble.
I like classics.. and stuff.
Angela’s Ashes was a great book. Won the Pulitzer.
And I really liked Requiem for a Dream.
Dude. I’m gonna stop.

189. Nataliya - February 7th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

And I agree with what almost everyone wrote here.
Except To Kill a Mockingbird.
I don’t know about that one.
It didn’t leave any impression on me.
Yeah. And Now I have a new reading list from all these posts.

190. Mandie - February 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

The Boy Detective Fails by Joe Meno is amazing amazing amazing.

191. frozenmidwest - February 7th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

I can’t pick any one ‘best’ book, but these are some I’d recommend

Bleak House
Gravity’s Rainbow
War and Peace
The Once and Future King
Ulysses
The House of Mirth

192. DiscHuker - February 7th, 2008 at 10:31 pm

jayfray: you said that you might put together a list of “most voted for”. is it possible to do a top 10 after the “your view” lists hit a certain number?

193. StarDust - February 7th, 2008 at 10:32 pm

I have to say White Oleander,by Janet Fitch I’ve read it at least 10 times, I think it’s because I identify with the main charachter, the movie left much to be desired. I loved The Kadin, by Beatrice Small. I read it about 10 times too until i lost it, Omm Sety was good, don’t remember who wrote it, Dorthy something I think and I can not get enough of my Post Secret books.

194. Snowkid32 - February 7th, 2008 at 11:09 pm

The Giver, and Invisible Worlds.
Here’s IW.
http://www.amazon.com/Invisibl.....0297843427

195. swampsnake - February 7th, 2008 at 11:45 pm

the best book ever written maybe not , but of the last century….The Grapes of Wrath.

196. ChrisG - February 8th, 2008 at 2:48 am

An English professor I once had, who I respect immensely, once told me that Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, was the only ‘perfect’ novel ever written. Haven’t read it, so here are my personal favourites (keep in mind that any of us has read only a fraction of the ‘great’ novels in existence):

Blood Meridian - Cormac McCarthy
Mason & Dixon - Thomas Pynchon
The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner
Moby Dick - Herman Melville
The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Big Sur - Jack Kerouac
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Great American Novel - Phillip Roth
A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

197. evan - February 8th, 2008 at 6:27 am

hmm greatest book, well the book that change part of my life, from a fun time to a serious game would probably be

Little Green Book by Phil Gordon

it’s the trickle that started the flood, now at 12+ poker books read in the last 2 years.

note: it’s NOT what started me on poker though, been playing a long time before that, but wasnt as serious about poker before hand.

198. evan - February 8th, 2008 at 6:28 am

although the greatest poker book would easily be

Hold’Em Poker for Advanced Players by David Sklansky

199. DiscHuker - February 8th, 2008 at 6:45 am

evan: just about every professional poker would disagree with you. how can you not say super system by doyle brunson, et.al.

200. evan - February 8th, 2008 at 6:51 am

i think you you are wrong about that, it would be close but many think sklansky’s book is basically the bible for hold em, perhaps as an overall book system beats it out, but that books is about several different card games, not just hold em

201. r3vc0 - February 8th, 2008 at 7:49 am

The 7 books that comprise The Dark Tower series touch on virtually every genre yet the storyline is akin to nothing I’ve ever read before. Quite the feat. You could mention the Dune Chronicles in the same breath. Both of these are fantastic works by literary giants!

202. Daves_Kicki