I've read many books and this is my all-time favorite. I can't exactly pinpoint why. I wasn't really into it in the first numerous pages but once I settled in I ate it up. There are many books that come very close, including Boys Life, but this is my favorite. I'd recommend Summer of Night and Strangers and It. I guess I like the long reads. Not to shade the audio book, but it doesn't even come close to the read.