What is the best book you've ever read?

Question:

What is the best book you've ever read?

why and who wrote it?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: There have been some truly great responses before mine. I define writing as a craft with storylines being secondary to the way in which the story is portrayed. I wish to nominate three very fine books by three exceptional writers: 1) "Look Homeward, Angel" by Thomas Wolfe (part of his "Of Time and the River" trilogy) and called "required reading" by Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow. 2) "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck (winner of the Nobel prize). 3) "Sophie's Choice" by William ("Stingo") Styron who deserved the Pullitzer for his unflinching look at the duplicity and fragility of human nature that gave fuel to the hollocaust. Styron's point is lost on most people. He is telling us that the relationship between Nathan and Sophie demonstrates a parable to the events that resulted in the murderous deaths of 6 million human beings; that depravity is found in every corner of this world.