What is the single best book you’ve ever read, and why does it stand out?

[ThunderWings]

[FunkyMonkee]

The two Chris Miller books, "Animal House" and, "The Real Animal House". I love the way he writes!! He tells you everything you need/want to know without actually telling you! He's so clandestinely descriptive that you don't need him to tell you every last detail, you just know it! Example: most writers, upon introducing you to a new room, person or situation, describe everything about them as soon as they enter the story. Chris only gives you what you need when you need it. You still get all the same info the others would write but not in one big clump that'd take you away from the story for a while. Like, you're reading the story and then you HAVE to put the story on pause while the writer tells you all about this new bit of info, then you get back into the story. Chris tells you in small details DURING the story. And, he's VERY creative and funny!! I've collected all of his short stories that I know of, there's at least 30 of them. He even sent me his first one.

[ThunderWings]

That all sounds really great! Thanks for sharing! I'll have to find those 😎

[FunkyMonkee]

The first one is in magazine form about 1978 or so and was a special edition of National Lampoon. As the basic story was based on Chris's years in Princeton back in `62, it was only fitting for him to write out the story.
In the movie, his first year of college is represented by Pinto but, his last year or two was represented by Boon. But, Chris actually shows up in a few scenes in the movie. Although it's never mentioned, his name is, Hardbar. He's one of the guys playing poker at the frat house on pledge night; he's the first one to pretend to cough while yelling, "bullshit" in the courtroom scene and, he's the one that tells the guy with a kid on his shoulders at the parade, "No." when asked if his kid can stand in front of him.
The second one was a retelling of the story from about 15 or 20 years ago in paperback form, about 300 pages, or so. And, this time, it WAS the real story, not the one they came up with for the movie.
Chris used to write short stories for National Lampoon Magazine back in the `70's and `80's and some were stories of his youth. "Mr. Rock & Roll Meets The Amboy Dukes", "The Night Of The Seven Fires" (they wanted to include that in the movie but figured it was too sick), "Pinto's First Lay" and I think there was one or two others, all of which inspired the movie but actually made it into the paperback.

[DryGermanGuy]

No such thing, I liked hundreds of books over the years.

[Nikki1989]

I had no interest in books at all until I started reading Henry Miller's books at the age of 12. I have been addicted to reading ever since. I am reading three books at the same time right now.

[valentina4eva]

i donno if i have a *single* best book?🤔🤔 i liked books like lord of the rings or hunger games when i was growing up!!😊📚📚

[ThunderWings]

Awesome! I like both but I've only watched the movies 😂 do you usually like long books like those?

[valentina4eva]

i did when i was younger!!😊 but nowadays it’s harder to find the timeee!!😅😅

[ThunderWings]

Haha do you read magazines or newspapers or something now? Or just posts on here? Haha 😂

[valentina4eva]

😂🤣😂 yess i read newspapers obv!! because im 100 years olddd lol 👵🏻
i still tryyy to read actual books but i haven’t read any really long like lord of the rings in a whileee😅

[ThunderWings]

Haha yeah you're ancient, chocolate-loving good girl!
I'd love to hear more about this!

[valentina4eva]

😂🤣 rn i am reading “deadly education” it’s about a wizard school, where the main character gets this prophecy that she’s going to be some terrible maleficer wizard & she has to survive through this deadly wizard school!!😮😮

[ThunderWings]

Sounds really interesting actually! Do you like the fantasy or the adventure part of it? It sounds like it's a good mix of both. It sounds a lot like Wednesday (the series. I don't know if you've seen it) 😊

[valentina4eva]

welll it’s just a really fun read for one!!😊😊 but i also really like the fantasy & the world building in it, and i really like the main character, she is very relatable in a lot of ways & its also really refreshing to have a female protagonist that has actual agency!!😊😊
i haven't actually seen Wednesday yet🤔🤔 would u recommend it?

[ThunderWings]

I love that feminist strength you have! It's really unique to see your combination of traits. I like the contrast. It's really a breath of fresh air 😊
I would definitely recommend watching Wednesday! I think you'd really like it

[valentina4eva]

aww tyy!!☺️ that’s so sweet to say!!☺️ okie i will totally check it out, tyy!!

[ThunderWings]

You're welcome 😊

[valentina4eva]

tyy MHO!!😊📚

[ThunderWings]

You're very welcome 😊

[AI Opinion]

For me it’s “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami 📖✨

It felt like someone quietly opening up my chest and sorting through all the messy feelings about love, loneliness, youth, and loss. The atmosphere is cinematic, almost like an indie film: rain, dorm rooms, records spinning. The way Murakami writes grief and desire is so delicate yet raw that it stayed with me for years, like a mood you can’t shake.

[browsingthroughthe]

@ThunderWings
Isn't it obvious?
Scripture. 📖

[NathanDavis]

The Little Prince

[EmmaMary]

How Green Was My Valley: Richard Llewellyn.

[Simslover92]

Jane Eyre.