Number 4 goes to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling. A book aimed at young adults, this book is the first in a series that made J K Rowling a household name. In actual fact, it made her the most successful literary author of all time.
The book was first published in the UK in 1997 by Bloomsbury. It was met with immediate applause from children and adults alike, selling more than 375 million copies. However, I have to admit that I didn't even pick up the book until much later. In 2002, I gave into the hype and decided to see what all the fuss was about. I read the book in one sitting and have never looked back. The series as a whole is the type of book which once you start, you don't put down until you know how it finishes.
Infused with action, drama and comedy throughout, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone tells the story of an ordinary boy, Harry, who, after his parents died when he was a baby, lives with his Aunt, Uncle and Cousin in a suburban semi. He is mistreated by them and sleeps in a cupboard under the stairs. Just before he's due to start secondary school, he receives a letter (much to his Aunt and Uncle's dismay) telling him that he's actually from a family of wizards and is enrolled to start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! On goes the story of how Harry adapts to his new life, making friends, and enemies, and discovering the secrets hidden within Hogwarts Castle.
One of the best things about this book, is that even though it's a fantasy book which takes you away to another world, there is so much to relate to, especially the characters. Most people know a bossy and interfering, yet kind-hearted, individual, like Hermione. Most people have come across a meek and nervous person, but when the moment arises, will always have your back, like Neville. And most importantly, most people will be able to relate to the isolation Harry felt at the beginning of the book, and how it turned to happiness when he finally found where he belonged.
The climax of the story is, of course, when the remains of Lord Voldemort are revealed underneath the increasingly twitchy Professor Quirrell's turban. Harry has followed Professor Quirrell through five of the chambers and finally reaches the sixth chamber where he finds Professor Quirrell (not Professor Snape!) and the Mirror of Erised. When Harry looks into the mirror, he sees himself with the Philosopher's Stone in his pocket, and in his pocket it soon appears. When he realises this has happened, controlling Professor Quirrell, Voldemort reveals himself (in the back of Professor Quirrell's head) and battles with Harry to get the stone for himself. For the first time, we see the protective magic that was bound to Harry when his Mother died to protect him, a repeating occurrence throughout the series, Professor Quirrell is killed and Voldemort is forced to leave his body, leaving Harry the hero with the Philosopher's Stone. Although not my favourite adventure of Harry's, this shows for the first time what Harry is capable of and how powerful and determined he really is, and he doesn't even know it yet.
The reason I picked this book over the other six in the series, is because without 'The Philosopher's Stone', there wouldn't BE the other books in the series. This is the first glimpse of a whole series of adventures, battles and life-changing journeys that Harry and his friends go on, the first glimpse of the real magic of the Wizarding world. There's not a reader out there who wouldn't be transported along with them.
This book, and series, is popular amongst men and woman, girls and boys, of all ages. The films are good, but the books are spectacular.
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