Mayank Mangalam Mangalam itibaren Pangri, Maharashtra 431504, India itibaren Pangri, Maharashtra 431504, India

Next to the dictionary and the atlas, this one is on my short list of "favorites of all time." Come to think of it, goodreads.com is almost an online version of this volume, because it inspires you to poke around and learn about books and authors you may want to try someday. I like the special interest sections, such as the best opening lines--my favorite is Zora Neale Hurston's from Their Eyes Were Watching God, "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board." Brilliant. Another interesting section is favorite authors, for instance, did you know that Chinua Achebe likes Yeats? There are lists and list of books--award winners, books most frequently banned, best adaptations. This is a fun "pick-er-up-er and put-er-down-er" for the nightstand.