The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester This book hooked me from the start with Gully Foyle (main character) left to survive in space with only the oxygen left in the ships locker he hidding in, after a surprise attack. The book follows his un hero like quest for revenge.
Then the truely amazing Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon The narrator tell of his journey from earth, transported to not only other worlds, but other galaxies, parallel universes and through time, big bang though to the end (as amazing as it is you better have a dictionary handy)