Ringworld

This book hit me like a hammer: I had read some Niven previously (Known Space series), and liked it, but this was a step up and away and onward. I actually borrowed the book from a friend's father, and was VERY loath to give it back - until I saw it in my favourite Cape Town bookshop, and bought my own.

Puppeteers. Kzinti - up close, personal, and LIKEABLE. The Ringworld itself. Rishathra. Niven created a universe for us, and I just wanted it to go on and on.

And then, much later, it DID. An incredible read, and the wonderful thing is, there are a number of sequels. And I love them ALL.