Again, you cannot throw this at me without me demanding at least a top four. These books all constitute experiences that are the sort that keep me reading, looking for the next book that will send me into paroxysms of bookish joy.

• It by Stephen King
• American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
• The Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee
• Watership Down by Richard Adams

I don’t like these “pick one” things. I read enough that of course I have more than one favorite author. So let me at least do a top four. With a couple of my favorite books of theirs listed, as well.

• Stephen King (It, Lisey’s Story)
• Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse 5, Mother Night)
• Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho, Imperial Bedrooms)
• Tanith Lee (Tales of the Flat Earth, Volkhavaar)