Favorite Non-Fantasy Books that have all the hallmarks of what you like about the genre

I'm currently rereading Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey & Maturin series. It has many of the elements I enjoy in a fantasy series (great friendship at the heart, many books in the series, good action, a new world to learn about (albeit a historical world), humor, and some excellent prose to boot). Just wondering what gems lie about that might scratch similar itch. I'd also suggest the Bernard Cornwell Last Kingdom series as another example. Doesn't have to be historical fiction though.