I will not rank the 5 best books that I will list here...
It is almost impossible to choose or rank between them and I for one am not qualified enough to do that.
This list is also my current list and generally keeps changing as I read new books and re read old ones.
So the favorite 5 is
1. Catcher in the rye - this book by JD Salinger is one of the books where I could relate with the characters’ anguishes and dilemmas. The situations and the point of views presented in the books are very realist and it presents the state of mind of a young rebel very nicely. Incidently this book is responsible for starting the Hippie Cultrue. (I heard it from someone therefore not totally reliable)
2.Catch 22 this book by Joseph Heller is one of the most cynical Satires that I have read in my lifetime. This is a wartime book (WW 2) and tells the cruel and absurdly funny tale of a fighter pilot and his squadron.
3.1984 this book is by George Orwell . I have never been more scared in my life other than after reading this book. This book was written in 1948 and when the absolute fear was of totalatarian governments. the author presents a frighteningly realistic picture of the world that he had seen possible at that point of time. Each time I think about the book I shudder what if that could happen or will happen in the future.
(incidentally this book is the orign of the phrase ’’big brother is watching’’. (now it seems that the threat is not from governments but from large corporations (total loss of privacy)
Jonnathan Livingston Seagull this book by Richard Bach is a trip to different world altogether. Here the author talks about doing what you want to do and not hanging on to traditions and doing what you like to do as nicely as possible.
Terry Pratchett and his discworld series In this series the author has created a inaginary world where all the stories are based. this world is flat rather than round. the stories are set in a medival sort of age. but the stories and charecters and locations are based on real world cases and incedents and practices. He makes the most interesting observations about the situations and is one of the wittiest authors I have read. His books are also very satirical and can be harsh to the people involved.
Other books which are my favorites
Wheel of time series by Robert Jordan
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Illusions by Richard Bach
Lord of the Rings
Godfather
And many more