What is the best book you've ever read?
November 24, 2007 9:10 PM Subscribe
What is the best book you've ever read?
Please list only a single book.
Anything goes... All shapes, sizes, lengths, genres, topics, etc.
Provide reasons if you want.
(Note: Similar questions have been asked before, but, I would argue, they have all been limited in some way. For example, "only non-fiction", "no horror or sci-fi", "nothing too long", etc.).
Please list only a single book.
Anything goes... All shapes, sizes, lengths, genres, topics, etc.
Provide reasons if you want.
(Note: Similar questions have been asked before, but, I would argue, they have all been limited in some way. For example, "only non-fiction", "no horror or sci-fi", "nothing too long", etc.).
This post was deleted for the following reason: this is not what askme is for - open ended what is your favorite X is just chatfilter. -- jessamyn
I doubt this question will last, but what the heck...
"The Complete Works of Shakespeare"
It contains pretty much all other books.
posted by grumblebee at 9:12 PM on November 24, 2007
"The Complete Works of Shakespeare"
It contains pretty much all other books.
posted by grumblebee at 9:12 PM on November 24, 2007
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
posted by FlamingBore at 9:13 PM on November 24, 2007
posted by FlamingBore at 9:13 PM on November 24, 2007
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
posted by beachhead2 at 9:26 PM on November 24, 2007
posted by beachhead2 at 9:26 PM on November 24, 2007
Little, Big--by John Crowley
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 9:43 PM on November 24, 2007
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 9:43 PM on November 24, 2007
Chatfilter in the Rye
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 9:46 PM on November 24, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 9:46 PM on November 24, 2007 [1 favorite]
We were just wishing for the return of Miguel and then our prayers were answered. Really, though, this is a legitimate question if you are seeking quality literature.
You can mine the classics for tons of quality stuff, the definition of best of which depends on your likes etc. Shakespeare is a winner for humor, depth, language, etc. etc. etc. etc., but this is one instance in which the movie (OK, the play) is almost always better, but anyway, who cares to hear that as it is just the conventional wisdom?
Newer stuff gets less press, so the best book I have read which was written in the past quarter century would probably be "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen. I think he might be my brother writing under a pseudonym. Why is he exposing all of our family secrets? Not everyone agrees, but if you come from an even moderately dysfunctional family (and who on MeFi does not) especially from the midwest and upper middle class then you need to read this book.
posted by caddis at 9:46 PM on November 24, 2007
You can mine the classics for tons of quality stuff, the definition of best of which depends on your likes etc. Shakespeare is a winner for humor, depth, language, etc. etc. etc. etc., but this is one instance in which the movie (OK, the play) is almost always better, but anyway, who cares to hear that as it is just the conventional wisdom?
Newer stuff gets less press, so the best book I have read which was written in the past quarter century would probably be "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen. I think he might be my brother writing under a pseudonym. Why is he exposing all of our family secrets? Not everyone agrees, but if you come from an even moderately dysfunctional family (and who on MeFi does not) especially from the midwest and upper middle class then you need to read this book.
posted by caddis at 9:46 PM on November 24, 2007
The Bell Jar
posted by HotPatatta at 9:48 PM on November 24, 2007
posted by HotPatatta at 9:48 PM on November 24, 2007
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posted by iamkimiam at 9:11 PM on November 24, 2007 [1 favorite]