I'm breaking this into two parts, as both come to mind when I see this phrase.

Best ones that shows what a Graphic Novel can do:

American-Born Chinese: This simply could not have been told in such a comprehensive way nor in such a touching way by any other means. The fact that the bright colors and comic aspect will draw readers in who would never read this type of book otherwise is a huge bonus.

Man, this is hard! I don't actually read a lot of short story collections, as I tend to be hit or miss with most of the stories, even with something I really like.

The only one I can think of that I've liked for years is The Mammoth Book of Sherlock Holmes Adventures and though I finally own a copy, I haven't been able to work myself up to a reread yet.

The first one that came to mind, oddly enough, was The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which I don't know that consider as really fulfilling the statement.

For me, the two books that pair words and pictures together the best are The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Maus. Hugo Cabret was mind blowing; seeing how seamlessly the artist melded the artwork, pictures, and text together. It comes as close as I've ever seen to being a movie you can hold in your hands. 

Maus is...a difficult read but one you really should try. The author/illustrator inserts himself in the story as he illustrates his parent's life during the Nazi's rule. With the Jews portrayed as mice, Nazis as cats, etc. the elements have a visceral element that can still be read without the illustrations becoming too much. Even then, there are very difficult points in the story but it's one that needs to be read.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

I simply had to. It's the only opening line that I remember on a regular basis. And one of my favorite books of all time.

My mother hounded me forever to read Caddie Woodlawn and I wouldn't listen. Finally, I started it and couldn't put it down. Mom never forgets to remind me that she was right about this book...and I can't say a thing. She was completely right.

One of the things LL and I did while in college together was read this hilarious website called Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About. We laughed for days. I bought him this book as a gift...though I think I'm the only one whose yet to read the thing. While funny, I find the website funnier. Still a great book and one that always brings back how much fun we had.

I think we need to read this again..."The sink is blue, and we're not talking about it."