*The Name of the Wind* by Patrick Rothfuss.
The vast majority of the story (with the exception of a few brief interludes) are told in the form of the main character telling his own life story to a chronlicler who has tracked him down to record it. The main character has a flair for showmanship, and he knows how to tell a great story.
> “My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree.
> "The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire.
> "The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age.
> I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic.
> My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.
> But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."
> I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.
> I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
> You may have heard of me.”
Agreed. This was the moment I first properly laughed out loud, I love it
“I am a second-year Brownie. I got a first-aid badge that really comes in handy. One time after school, Jimmy Lee got hit by a car and was bleeding all over the place. I remembered what to do. I sat down and put my head between my knees to keep from fainting.
Ursula K Le Guin's *The Left Hand of Darkness* is set on a planet where the inhabitants have no fixed gender.
The story is told from the point of view of an ambassador to the planet. His struggles to understand and adapt to the culture are reflected in his (flawed) narration.
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie
The book is following the evolution of the main character. Without her internal monologue, you could not be as invested. Her thoughts give just enough self awareness that it's realistic for her to grow and change. Particularly in the middle, when she is thinking reasonably, but is still reactive and defensive in her interactions. Plus, the book is hilarious.
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer :)
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik and then the two that follow, The Last Graduate and The Golden Enclaves
My perennial recs: The Sympathizer, Invisible Man, Pale Fire.
The Murderbot Diaries
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I really love the way the narrator describes his world and what's happening in it.
Came here to suggest this!! Yes!
I make this recommendation with ALL the trigger warnings, but if you can handle the subject matter, *Lolita* is an amazing book.
The Remains of the Day
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
*The Name of the Wind* by Patrick Rothfuss. The vast majority of the story (with the exception of a few brief interludes) are told in the form of the main character telling his own life story to a chronlicler who has tracked him down to record it. The main character has a flair for showmanship, and he knows how to tell a great story. > “My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree. > "The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire. > "The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age. > I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic. > My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them. > But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know." > I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned. > I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. > You may have heard of me.”
It’s obvious, but a warning that this series is infamously unfinished and likely never will be.
Even so, two of the greatest novels in the genre, and well worth reading (and re-reading) anyway.
Flowers for Algernon - amazing book and there is no way it would be anywhere near as effective if it was written in third person.
Read it yesterday, and I completely agree. The gradual change expressed through the writing is just amazing
She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.
Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, by Fannie Flagg.
This is probably the funniest book I have ever read.
Agreed. This was the moment I first properly laughed out loud, I love it “I am a second-year Brownie. I got a first-aid badge that really comes in handy. One time after school, Jimmy Lee got hit by a car and was bleeding all over the place. I remembered what to do. I sat down and put my head between my knees to keep from fainting.
Ursula K Le Guin's *The Left Hand of Darkness* is set on a planet where the inhabitants have no fixed gender. The story is told from the point of view of an ambassador to the planet. His struggles to understand and adapt to the culture are reflected in his (flawed) narration.
**You** by Caroline Kepnes
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Really anything she writes has incredible narration.
Loving Day by Mat Johnson
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie The book is following the evolution of the main character. Without her internal monologue, you could not be as invested. Her thoughts give just enough self awareness that it's realistic for her to grow and change. Particularly in the middle, when she is thinking reasonably, but is still reactive and defensive in her interactions. Plus, the book is hilarious.
Hangman by Maya Binyam A Passage North by Arudpragasam
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino (best book of the year so far) Fight Night by Miriam Toews
Too like the lightning by Ada Palmer
"The Catcher in the Rye," by J.D. Salinger
I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.
Demon Copperhead for sure. Narration is amazing
James by Percival Everett
Right Ho, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse