For me the top two are easy to decide:
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Niffenegger's writing is somewhat mesmerizing. She was able to make me believe in the possibility of a "chrono displacement" disorder that could cause people to travel through time. I read it, read it again, told my best friend and brothers to read it. I gave my hubby and audio copy to listen to on his way to
and from work. I couldn't wait for the film to be made.
One Day by David Nicholls
I don't love love stories really. However, Nicholls' way of writing this book by looking at one particular day every day over a period of twenty years was brilliant. Dex and Em, Em and Dex; they just belonged together.
My third most recommended book would probably be (since late April 2010)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.
Prior to that date and still, at times, the other possibility would be an author
and not a particular title.
I would recommend Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series or his Nursery Crime series depending on whether one was looking for a laugh with some cultural
and literary references or just a laugh.
What are the books or authors you find you recommend the most?