Actually addressing the list from the point of view books I have not read, or have read but would like to read again [in preference to a first read of any not yet read], The Master and Margarita does top my list. It is just not the book I would most like to discuss with other literary minded people here. No contradiction there. I have read Seven Japanese Tales so many times, cover to cover or just an individual story, that I need not read that to discuss it. So there you go.

As far as On the Beach (which I did read a long time ago) my opinion is that it is dated and of pulp fiction quality. Beppe is right in that there is the decent movie version out there to get the same story in, and in just over two hours.