which is the best book you've ever read and why?

"Anthem" by Ayn Rand, for the same reason. As I neared the end of the book, around the part where the protagonist renamed himself, I had to set the book down because I couldn't see through the tears in my eyes.

I usually don't pick favorites but Brave Story really stood out for me from all the other books I have read. It's an adventure novel where the main character goes to a magical/fantasy place. It was 804 pages of solid story telling, nothing added just because, everything in it was necessary, with the kind of plot that had me screaming/laughing/upset at every new development as though it were a movie or real life; I really got into it. My kind of book. :)

the palace of illusions

because its a very different take on the epic mythology of india the mahabharata..this novel is through the perspective of a woman{the queen} who did nt have much credebility at that time..bt u nid 2 have read the mahabharat 1st 2 enjoy the boldness of the diffrent take of the writer towards the mythology

another one would be'kane and able' by jeffrey archer

because it made me cry,smile,laugh,inspired and did so much more..

The Tao Te Ching. By far the most valuable wisdom for anyone in hectic industrial society.

in general i like asian literature the most but here is some books i liked

Please Look After Mom - Kyung-sook Shin

The Doll - Boleslaw Prus

Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut

The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

and many others

I agree with you in The name of the wind, it's such a fascinating book....but i didn't cry in the end, but i think about three times in the story, i rememer "what what, hush hush" touched me a lot :')

The time machine did it, by John Swartzwelder. John wrote over 50 episodes of the Simpson's. They were great shows. I can't stand drama, or sappy, or anything but comedy.

Dangerous Angels by Francesca Lia Block.

I realized that authors could make up their own worlds and play God. I was possessed. It made me want to write.

Machiavelli - prince

said Napoleon - it is the only book you need to read