Middlemarch

This is easily the best book I've ever read and also one of the most challenging. I have a deeper appreciation for reading after finishing this book-- though I already appreciated reading. It's hard to explain, and I do understand that this is not a style that everyone will appreciate. The 1 star reviews trouble me, particularly from those who DNF'd. If Victorian-era novels are not your style, skip this. The beauty is in how Eliot intertwines characters and events that at first seem unrelated. There were times when I thought it would be impossible for the plot to come together, but Eliot tied together all of the pieces so beautifully and created a novel that will stick to my bones.