It is the most difficult of assignments when you sit back and try to think of the five best books or the five best movies. After going through all the categories of comedy, thrillers, philosophy, science, fantasy etc. I’ve drawn up a list of five books. Neither are these the best books nor is the list complete. These are just the books that I do not mind revisiting atleast once a year. If not to gain anything new, atleast to smell the pages and soak in the pleasure of reading all over again.

1.     The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R.Tolkein

By putting down 3 favorite books under one heading I get to include 2 more in my Top 5 list (Ha!!). Interest in this trilogy is being renewed and dusty ones are being removed off the shelves thanks to Peter Jackson’s adaptation for the big screen. Fantasy was never better than the one concerning Hobbits on their journey to destroy the evil ring that will rule them all. A swashbuckling good versus evil story that has dwarves, wizards and epic battles in copious quantities. A few words are insufficient to describe the sweep, majesty and grandeur of the story and the numerous characters inhabiting Middle Earth. Guaranteed pleasure.

2.     The Day of the Jackal by Fredrick Forsyth

Modern writers of thrillers would do well to revisit this book if their intentions are to grab their readers by the neck and not let go. A book that is so intricately researched and plotted that the line between fact and fiction blurs dizzyingly. The story is about an assassin codenamed the ‘Jackal’ and his effort to wipe out Charles de Gaulle, the president of France. On the face of it, my description might not seem much of a story, but read it to know what I mean. A near flawless novel and one worth reading just to understand what meticulousness in details mean.

3.     Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

The story of a father and son’s motorcycle trip across America is more of a philosophical trip. Meditations on motorcycles, technology, science, love, nature quality, what things are and what they mean. All adding up to an exhilarating journey. Profound stuff.

4.     The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – A Trilogy in 5 parts by Douglas Adams

Another opportunity for me to bung in many books at one go. Ha!!. The title should give you enough indications of what to expect from a brilliant, zany writer of science fiction. If you thought sci-fi was all about Arthur Clarke and Asimov, you are surely missing something. Go on a roller coaster ride with Arthur Dent as he takes a wild trip through time (because the Universe has been destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass) and finds himself making contact with aliens and other assorted characters. You’ll be grasping for air what with one improbable situation after another being thrown at you, not to forget the witty and brilliant dialogues. The answer is 42. Go figure it out.

5.     Any of the Blandings novels by P.G.Wodehouse

Much as any novel by Plum (as PGW is affectionately called) is worth reading, the Blandings series holds a special place because of the colourful characters teeming throughout. What the heck, even the crooks in these novels are lovable. Every Blandings novel is populated by an award winning pig, her obsessed but absent minded owner, broken hearts, indulgent uncles and a whole lot of imposters. A potent cocktail for a laugh-aloud read.