Dune

Dune is supposedly the best selling science fiction book to date. I'm not surprised, this is perhaps the most exciting and absorbing science fiction book I've read. The story centers around the planet Dune where the 'spice' can be found. The 'Spice' is used for space travel. He who controls Dune and the spice will control the universe.
The House Atreides leaves its home world and settles on Dune. They are responsible for the spice production, but another House backed by the Emperor is plotting to overtake Dune and destroy the House of Atreides....
This book has all the essential ingredients, a great story, good characterisation and interesting politics. It has a sort of mythical quality too it as well. All this is what sets is apart from most other works of science fiction. A must read!