[Hammerhand]

Anything by Alexandre Dumas stimulates me. I will dare say that The Count of Monte Cristo is the best novel i have ever read. It is very different to the works of Tolkien, it touches on concepts that aren't really discussed in LotR. It also gives a great, though fictional, perception of a revolutionized France with explicit detail to social status and contemporary affairs. I recommend this book, along with the obvious classics as a great works of literature.

That aside, A Tale of Two Cities and Raymond Feist's Magician offer a high standard of literature, whilst maintaining a riveting plot.