Even if you're not a serious reader and only read Harry Potter and Twilight, I still recommend them to you. Most of the stories are directed towards younger readers anyways, so the narrative is simple to follow.
MY LIST OF TOP-FIVE FAV BOOKS THIS YEAR
1. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Have you watched Pleasantville, The Truman Show or Stepford Wives?
(Or literature-wise: 1984 or Brave New World)Where everything is the same -- the same houses, the same trimmed lawn, the same community... everything is pleasant and there's no war, crime, prostitutes, neglected children? A world without feelings, choices, individuality, music and colour?
Well then, 'The Giver' is basically a kid's version of the movies above -- where people live in an unsettling 'utopia' that's been artificially created for their benefit.
For Jonas' twelveth birthday, he was selected to become a Receiver of Memory for his community. Little does he know that this will change his life forever...
2. The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 
I can only think of another movie that is
*very, very vaguely* similar to this book -- 'The Lake House' featuring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves (because both involve time). Saying that, this book is one of the most innovative love stories of all time.
So, I recommend you READ THIS OR SUFFER. Haha. I'm sure it's popular enough, without me promoting it to you....
It's a story about a guy who suffers from a rare disease called Chrono-Displacement Disorder, where his genetic clock resets and he finds himself misplaced in time; in moments of his past, present and future. This book tells the story of him and his wife, Clare, who has to deal with this problem. Hence -- The Time-Traveler's Wife.
Or if you're not a book person, you can always wait for the movie to come out this month. And hey, Eric Bana is playing Henry. That itself is a reason why you should watch it :P
3. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
It's about a 13-year old Indian boy who loves 'God' so much that he embraced Hinduism, Christianity and Islam at once. And he ended up on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a 450-pound hungry Bengal tiger, hyena, zebra and a female orang-utan.
Sounds interesting?
The book described it as 'a story to make you believe in God'.
And Jo's birthday message to me was: 'This book changed my life. So I bought another so you can have it too.'
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zasak
It's about a German girl living in the WWII, and escapes the harsh brutality of war and violence through reading. She then finds books here and there — in a snowy graveyard, in a Nazi book-burning, and inside the local mayor's house.
I don't enjoy wartime stories much, but somehow this book kept me hooked until the end. There's a touch of humility in the way the story is potrayed -- sometimes even foreboding -- due to the narrator of the story being 'Death' (The Grim Reaper) itself.
5. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
A beautifully inspiring story about a young shepard boy, an alchemist, and God. The boy explores Spain, Tangier, Sahara Desert and Egypt in order to find a treasure buried near the Pyramids, but ultimately discovers there's more to gain other than worldly riches -- he acquires knowledge and enlightenment of the spirit.
