I don't think this book really needs any introduction. Walter M. Miller, Jr's opus is like the ur-example of crossover Science Fiction that becomes a favorite of literary critics (at least, the kind that isn't dystopian). It's was first published in 1959 and has never been out of print since, with something like 40 some odd editions out in the wild.
It's also arguably the most successful example of a fix-up book in the genre, although there's something of a chicken-and-egg situation that's up for debate. According to Miller himself, although he didn't set out to write a novel, he kind of serendipitously realized he was producing one while writing the book's third part "Fiat Voluntas Tua" (originally published as 'The Last Canticle' in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction). That said, if you ever get a chance to read the original short story versions you'll find some noticeable differences, as Miller would go back and re-write some portions, add new ones, and also add some new characters.
Sadly, of course, Miller would never publish another novel in his lifetime (Canticle's sequel, Saint Leibowitz & the Wild Horsewoman, was published posthumously with some help from his friend Terry Bisson). Miller suffered from PTSD ('30 years before it had a name', according to Joe Haldeman), and he took his own life in 1996.
But there's one thing about this book that I always forget about before I sit down and read it: and that's the fact that it's actually very funny. Yes, it takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic hellscape, but it's also really really funny. The book is filled with bits of biting and dark humor that manages to significantly lighten the mood of what would otherwise be an endlessly dreary narrative.
So, yeah...can't wait to find more stuff I missed the first and second time.
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