First off, LJ, I have to say, it IS worth reading, but ALWAYS skip the intros on his books. They've bored me to sleep after two pages.
With that out of the way, I have to say I started out with Eddings, as far as fantasy is concerned, and never read much from more classic authors like Tolkein or Feist or anyone like that. The Belgariad is a good series and-though people around here may tar and feather me for saying this-I also immensely enjoyed the Mallorean and would suggest you go through that as well.
I'd also recommend the Elenium, though I really wouldn't try to shove the Tumuli off on you, it wasn't nearly as good. I've yet to get anywhere in the Dreamers, though from what I've heard it's not worth taking the time to open the first volume.....
Okay then, i may not return it to the store now.
The Redemption of Athelus was the book i was going to trade it in for, it interested me a lot. That and it's also a stand alone of his as far as i know.