What books do you think everyone should read?

[Spoons]

I dont think there is a thread on this apologies if there is.

I am curious as to what books you all think that everyone should read. I know everyone has different tastes. But what are the books that you feel everyone should atleast read once.

1984 is often suggested to me, and i cant believe that i still have never read it, but are there any others you could suggest?

any responses appreciated.

[Moderation Note: Thread moved to general section because new threads in the "Reviews, Recommendations and Warnings" section must be limited to one book or series per thread. All others must be posted in the sticky thread for that genre or in a different section. Please see the new forum rules for the recommendations section. Thank you. -Scott]

[Tracey Neal]

You know Spoons that is an excellent question, I have a few I think people should read at least once

Umm, for the lovelorn romantic, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Wuthering Heights...are just a few

Watership Down, which I just recently finished...beautiful read

The Memory of Running

Breakfast of Champions

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Dubliners

The Color Purple

Of Mice and Men

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, which is also in King's 1982 novella collection called "Different Seasons"

Also to note the movies Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me were adapted for the screen from two of King's stories in the collection "Different Seasons", which obviously Shawshank Redemption would be the first, Stand by Me from the story "The Body"

[knightss]

hmmm... i don't think i can narrow it down to just one.

i'm glad you liked Watership Down.. that book holds a special place in my heart.

1984 (a must, especially if you're interested in government)
Anthem by Ayn Rand (along the same lines, quick read)
Breakfast of Champions
The Canterbury Tales
The Decameron

[KaeMartyndale]

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

I loved that book! I didn't even know other people had even HEARD of it!

[Tracey Neal]

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

I loved that book! I didn't even know other people had even HEARD of it!

OMGosh Kae yes! I'm part Irish, I read this book when I was a wee little girl, I cried.
Francie Nolan! There is so much of myself in her! How she loves her father, and her father reminds me of my own dad! My dad is a big dreamer...excellent storyteller. I just love this book. It hit very close to home for me in so many ways.

[Gard]

Down and Out in Paris and London - George Orwell

Fartherland and archangel - Robert Harris

[IanBookMan]

Catcher in the Rye.
Moby Dick

[Scott]

Of what people already said, I was going to say Catcher in the Rye, 1984, and Of Mice and Men.

Though it is less known than most of the books already declared, I would also encourage people (at least those from the U.S.) to read Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen.

Anthem by Ayn Rand

I'll go with Atlas Shrugged instead of Anthem. But it's all Ayn Rand, and all intellectually stimulating.

[sleepydumpling]

Ahh so many!

But I would be very happy if everyone read Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

[Libellus]

More of the usual suspects ....

Classic stuff - The Aeneid, The Odyssey
What a waste stuff - Good-bye to All That, Counter-Attack (OK its not a book)
Fantasy stuff - Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Foundation Trilogy
Funny Stuff - Catch 22, Hitchhiker
LittleRead stuff - Old Man and the Sea
You-cant-have-such-a-list-without stuff - The Picture of Dorian Gray (This is just indulgent prejudice on my part)

[Erasmus_Folly]

I would be very happy if everyone read Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

You have mentioned this book so many times you've finally convinced me! I just ordered from Amazon.

[sleepydumpling]

I would be very happy if everyone read Cloudstreet by Tim Winton.

You have mentioned this book so many times you've finally convinced me! I just ordered from Amazon.

Ahh you've made an old librarian very happy!

I think I'd like everyone to read Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams too.

[knightss]

Funny Stuff - Catch 22

I was going to add that to my list but it seemed too long as it was =x

[hotrod marlin]

Anthem by Ayn Rand

I'll go with Atlas Shrugged instead of Anthem. But it's all Ayn Rand, and all intellectually stimulating.

I second Atlas Shrugged

[Hope]

The Prophet.

A book that must be read by all man-kind. It helps us understand life in a better way. Such a priceless book. Beautifully written, wisely put. Every single line in that book, could inspire.

Truly truly beautiful.