For me its The Song of Achilles, For as long as I can remember, I've always harboured an interest in Greek mythology, so when I first heard about The Song of Achilles, I was incredibly excited.
The thing about Greek myth though, is that people are often reluctant to take on reading books relating to many of the adaptations of these tales because they're often convoluted, drawn out, confusing and most of all, there just seem to be way too many gods, goddesses and mortals to keep track of.
Naturally the one question that I couldn't help but ask, was how would Madeline Miller take an already known and complex story and adapt it in such a way that it not only breathes new life into an old story, but also manages to maintain the very essence of the mythology. Could she really pull it off?
The answer is absolutely. And then some more.
The story is essentially about the mighty warrior, but focuses on and is told through Patroclus's point of view. For those who don't know, Patroclus was Achilles' best friend, confident and, according to many, lover.
As a young prince, Patroclus is a chronically awkward boy who, after accidentally committing an act of violence, is exiled and sent to Phthia to live with King Peleus and his golden-haired son, Achilles. The two couldn't be more different, yet their paths manage to cross.
The Inkheart Trilogy.
I got Inkheart as a "this really isn't a present" present for my twentieth birthday. I finally got tired of reading the intro to the second [i read the first and second when i was below double digits, and so didn't remember anything from Inkspell.]
I came across the Inkheart movie and bought the Trilogy and film form amazon. Now I'm about in the middle of the third one [Inkdeath]
Cornelia Funke - one of the best fantasy writers... ever.
My current cart on BAM.com:
Cane by Jean Toomer
The General and His Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
Peeling the Onion by Gunter Grass
Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Other Poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Jazz by Toni Morrison
Above the River by James A Wright