Allan C, yes, there's a reason many books have become "classics". They're old. And critics/teachers like dissecting them, particularly turgid ones with endless "layers". Quality of writing, plot and/or characterisation is not an issue. Think "Moby Dick", "Cider with Rosie" and "Great Expectations" as three so-called "classics" only suitable for use as a replacement when the toilet roll runs out (and then only if they have soft pages).

One classic which *is* worth the tag is "Kim" by Rudyard Kipling. Also if you're into Kipling then the complete "Jungle Book" too; like Harry Potter, it's not just for kids.

I'll second (or third ;-) the recommendation for "Grass" by Sheri Tepper (got to get round to some of her other stuff sometime). And everything by Gerald Durrell (doesn't matter which, they're all excellent).

Pratchett is good, but his earlier books are very patchy, and there's now about two dozen to choose from! Avoid "Moving Pictures", "Colour of Magic" and "Light Fantastic" at all costs. Trouble is that there's three strands featuring the same characters, so you really either have to read all the earlier ones from that strand to get everything, or you have to pick a book which isn't tied to those strands. My best suggestion is to get "Mort" and "Soul Music" which are the first two in one of the strands. They're both good; the second one's a piss-take on the rock music industry and is very funny. Also "Pyramids" and "Small Gods" which aren't involved in any of the three strands.

Best till last. Three classic action-thriller books - "The Last Frontier", "Guns of Navarone" and "HMS Ulysses" by Alastair Maclean. Written before he cranked out a zillion indifferent paperbacks, these are *the* best books of their type. "HMS Ulysses" is not a light read and is very depressing so don't do it if you're even slightly down. The other two though are quite uplifting and inspiring. If you only get one, get "Guns of Navarone".

From my bookshelf, those are the only ones I'd replace without hesitation if they got lost/stolen/strayed, and which I'm utterly inseparable from when I'm reading them. Lots of books I've been inseparable from on the first reading, but few are still inseparable after N goes through.

Graham.