Favoritest favorite that ever favorited?

I'm looking to expand my reading list. Please tell me your favorite book and why (briefly!). ^__^

In fact, hell, let's make it your favorite book of all time AND your favorite recent book. If they are one and the same, awesomesauce! I just know it can be tough to narrow it down to just one...

*does not have more than one favorite book, no sir* >.>

In case anyone's curious:

My favorite book of all time is Lord of the Flies by William Golding, because it is a book I can read again and again, and always find something I never saw before. The psychology of it is both amazing and terrifying. Best book I have ever read.

My favorite recent book is World War Z by Max Brooks, because the approach is fresh, and it thoroughly explores aspects that I have barely seen in the zombie apocalypse genre, including ecology, economics, and long term societal effects. It's amazing!