Ok just for fun choose 1 book that you would reccomend to a non-reader that would hook them right off the bat and encourage them to read more. (If the book you would reccomend is already chosen name something else.)

My reccomendation would be Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson.

I would say it depends on the person's age and gender but for one that has hooked lots and lots of young women I would say Bridget Jone's Diary.

Poison Study by Maria Snyder

I agree with Ramson, but I like to recommend:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

A lot would depend on what I know about the person. But I will say Replay by Ken Grimwood because women and men like it.

I would pick: The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

This is a hard one. It would have to be something that was generalized. Otherwise you'd have to know the person and what they are interested in to recommend something in a specific genre. :erm:
Maybe the first Harry Potter book? :shrug:

My favorite book ever! Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez.

Like many others, I'd say a true recommendation depends on the person. However, since I recently did just this very thing with Mike in trying to encourage him to read, and based on his tastes, and seeking an author I feel would be easy to read for someone who's not used to reading, I'd say any of Christopher Moore's books, particularly Practical Demonkeeping and The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove.

And I can vouch for the fact that they definitely got Mike reading, a hobby he never had in his life! :o He's now almost through with ALL of Christopher Moore's works and has been enjoying Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series as well.


ETA - I'm going to let him tackle the Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher again too. Though he really enjoyed the SciFi TV series along with me, he had trouble with the trying to read the first one, that originally being his first foray back into reading, the plots and descriptions being a bit more complex, the writing a bit more difficult and requiring greater concentration, so not necessarily good for a new (and slow) reader.

I know I already posted but for general purposes for folks who are typically non-readers John Grisham seems to go over pretty well. I know he is a relay killer over here but he has lots of mass appeal.

I agree with stella Love in the Time of Cholera is lovely.

Indeed it depends of age and lots of other things but I would recommend Coelho's Alchemist. Coelho might be good introduction in nice storytelling that will keep you with the book and make you think about some things much deeper. After Coelho they will read other writers who writes more profoundly (and better) than Coelho but are to serious to be the perfect pick for the first book.

Cherie I always thought that Mike is your RABBIT! :blink: :blush:

I would recommend The Lovely Bones. Even nonreaders seem to find it fascinating.

:rofl: Unfortunately, he's not as cute and cuddly! :P

Rudy and Sasia are my bunnies. Here's a pic from last Yule, since my online photo gallery died with the server's HD.

those are big ass rabbits!!

My rec would be the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. I'm trying to think of something that I would wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend thats not sci-fi/fantasy and I can't think of anything....maybe some Sidney Sheldon - I remember really enjoying Rage of Angels.

Now I am thinking the 'Time Travellers Wife'....that was good!

Stephanie Plum Series - I've not heard many people ( anyone?) say they haven't enjoyed them.

Harry Potter

Terry Pratchett

My Sister's Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult. This is one book that i will never ever forget and i would highly recommend to anyone. If it doesn't touch you in some way you don't have a heart.

I'm answering with the same book that I always name whenever anyone asks me, "What's your favourite book ever?"

...Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.

I was going to suggest that. zzz took my other choice with The Alchemist. :(

I'm going to go with The Crucible. I know it's really a play. Does that still count?

I read that in 11th grade. I loved it!
I also loved The Alchemist. Good choice, zzz.

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver.

Interesting- this is the one our high school's sci fi/fantasy class is doing. He wanted to do Dark Crystal with them but can not find enough copies (it is out of print.)

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

The Time Traveler's Wife!!!!!

I was going to say that one.

Or the Stephen King book Shawshank Redemption came from.

Or Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - everyone likes that!

Or Neverwhere - I have recommended that to lots of people and readers and non readers alike have enjoyed it ;)

I know this is only supposed to be one and I've already cheated but how about The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud..I loved that book....

:lol: i totally cheated anyway and said about 10! But yeah I agree with you for once Sunny :giggle: I loved that book I just sent it to cats for the sweep (is ok it arrived already I'm not giving it away) AND it's one of the few times I've written fan mail - I sent the author an email and he sent a really nice one back! :wub:

I keep recommending it to people....

Better Than Running at Night by Hillary Frank

This is a tough one. Like everyone says, it would kind of depend on age and their likes.

I would say The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon but that would probably turn someone off that doesn't read because of its size.

I wouldn't recommend sick shit off the bat cause I wouldn't want to scare an unsuspecting person but The Devil in the White City was excellent. It might be considered nonfiction sick shit though. LOL

Sooooooooo, maybe The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan or Angela's Ashes by Frank McCort for nonfiction

and, one more, one more for fiction

The Seanachie by Bob Huerter

I just can't think of only oneeeee. :whistle:

You guys have already said a few I would have said... I would have to go with The Devil Wears Prada.

Not too long, not too short, and they've made a movie about it. Thinking along those lines, it would show how the movies change so much and take away so much from the book, and how (in almost every case) the book is much better.