Answer:
This is the hardest question I have ever answered. I love books and storytelling with a passion and have read thousands of books. That said, how good a particular scene is in a book is totally subjective; some will like it, some will not. It all depends on personal preference. So, because I could go on and on about hundreds of books, I'm going to stick to just a couple of books and a couple of scenes:
A.C. Crispin, Ta Han Solo Trilogy, book 1. The scene at the beginning of the book where the ookie cook who raised Han dies protecting him. She lingers, and her and Han have this heart wrenching goodbye scene. (My eyes are tearing up recalling it)
The Han Solo Trilogy, book 3. The scene at the end where Han and Chewi make the famous Kessel Run. It's described in detail. My heart was racing while I read it. And I still get goosebumps.
J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings, book 3, The Return of the King. When Frodofinally threw the one ring into the fires of Mt. Doom. I was 11 years old, and it was 2am when I got to this part. I remember jumping up on my bed and doing a fist pump. To which I hear from down the hall, “Tristan!!, put the book away and go to bed”. I didn't. I finished it that night.
Wilson Rawls. Where the Red Fern Grows. The scene where Old Dan dies. I’m 9 years old sitting at the dinner table, and I'm just bawling. My heart actually hurt, it was so emotional. My mom, always the sympathetic one, took the book away and calmed me down enough so I could eat my dinner, and then banned books from the dinner table. (Love you Mom).
Where the Red Fern Grows. The scene where Little Anne starves to death. This was later that same night after I read where Old Dan died. I was in my room and it was Niagara Falls all over again. I kept quiet though, I didn't want my mom coming in and taking the book away.
Frank Herbert, Children of Dune. The Scene where the twins are about to split-up for the first time in their lives. These are their parting lines, “Travel swiftly, my old friend”. “ I will return to you, my only friend.” I immediately hugged my little sister after reading that. To which she asked, “ What's your problem weirdo”. I just told her I loved her. Being I'm an introvert, she's the one who has always understood me best.
I could go on and on, but I'm going to end it there. I'm sure there are going to be people who would argue the question with me. And there will be those who are just going to cite famous scenes from books everyone knows. But as I said, it's whatever scenes in whatever books that touched you and we're memorable to you. Because I love stories,
