Dune by Frank Herbert

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of Paul Atreides--who would become known as Muad'Dib--and of a great family's ambition to bring to fruition mankind's most ancient and unattainable dream.
A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.

“The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”

I still consider this to be the best book I've ever read. I love science fiction and this timeless story is incredibly powerful.

It's spelled like

⊃ ∪
∩ ⊂

on the back of my copy and that's sick. Airplanes that flap their wings are pretty cool too I guess.

Right after reading this, I would only have given it three, maybe even two-and-a-half stars. But if you let it sit a bit, the book actually grows better in your memory. Amazing story with fantastic ideas and compelling characters. I just didn't like the style much.
More detailed review here: SFF Book Review

For as long as this book was, it was a surprisingly easy read. The world was interesting, the character building was engaging, though towards the end of the book ...I found myself not particularly caring for or about any of the characters.

I had extremely high expectations for this book, and perhaps that ultimately contributed to my disappointment with the lapse into being a product of its time - primarily, in regard to its treatment of women. I had hoped, especially with the initial introductions of the two most important female characters, that sexism would be less rampant in Dune compared to other sci-fi novels of the time, and while lessened, it was enough to affect my overall enjoyment.