Slaughterhouse-Five
Why this book?
This was the first Vonnegut book I ever read and, as with lovers, you never forget your first. All of Vonnegut's books have cleverness and an inimitable style, but he's also a humanist and there's a striking morality that undercuts his satire and humor. Don't believe you bookseller: though technically sci-fi, Slaughterhouse-Five defies easy categorization and would be equally at home in plenty of genres. The weaving of fiction and autofiction is surprisingly modern while the anti-war themes remain sadly relevant. I also love the book purely for its craft. The key to a good multiple timeline story is to weave them all together so they have a chance to inform each other in exciting and unexpected ways.