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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Winds of War and War and Remembrance, though I have many other favorites too numerous to list. These are the ones that stand out in my mind the most. I read these three books 40 years or more ago!
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Originally Posted by Gorges
The World According to Garp because it has stuck with me for almost 40 years. I still have dreams about this book.
That book was a changer for me, too. I was a reader in high school, so I did already enjoy books, but my mom gave that book to me when I was 18 and it first came out, and I had no idea someone could tell a story that well. John Irving continues to be a favorite - his stories are so compelling and funny/sad/empathetic. Hotel New Hampshire is also a favorite - with the girl who kept shrinking, the prostitutes, the girl/bear. He draws you in further and further until he is saying absolutely ridiculous things and you didn't realize how far afield from reality you've come. ;D
The best novel I ever read was a trilogy that is now together as one complete novel. It is called The Heaven Tree and was written back in the early 60's by Edith Pargeter, who later became better known as Ellis Peters for her Brother Cadfael mysteries.
She explains in a foreword that in the 12th century in England near the Welsh Marches there was a style of stone sculpture popular for a time known as "stiff leaf", vines and leaves carved of stone. She created a story of one such artist. It is a magnificent story with complex characters, and to this day I have never read a better, more unexpected and moving death scene.
Some of Pat Conroy's language is pure poetry, but the story and depth of emotions and the characters he created are simply amazing.
For those who have seen the movie and so think they know the story, understand that the character to whom the title refers does not even appear in the film. The movie is a small piece of the book. That book has stayed with me for years.
I loved that book too, along with her classic "The House of the Spirits" (which you should definitely read if you haven't yet). Try these on for size:
Life after Life - Kate Atkinson
Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
The Shoemaker's Wife - Adriana Trigiani
The Light Between Oceans - ML Stedman
Under the Wide and Starry Sky - Nancy Horan
Orphan Train - Christina Baker Kline
If you want any more recommendations, lemme know! I do this for a living, so happy to help.
Please keep them coming I loved Orphan Train and Sarah's Key. One of my favorites was Tara Road. I also loved Along The Infinite Sea and have enjoyed many Beatriz Williams books. Right now I'm binge reading Barbara Taylor Bradford. I cannot leave out Eye Of The Needle and Triple. I'm a huge Ken Follet fan! I'd love to follow your reviews if you are on Ammmmazon
Hands down my favorite is Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers. I'd probably take it with me to a desert island.
I'll also concur with those who mentioned Jane Eyre and Rebecca.
I just read To the Lighthouse last year and really liked it. I don't think I would have enjoyed it when I was much younger.
Some other random favorites:
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (but only if you've already read Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
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