This debut novel by Madeline Miller retells the ancient story of Homer's epic poem, The Iliad. This vivid reinterpretation is told from the viewpoint of Petroclus, a minor but pivotal character in The Iliad, but one who is Achilles' close companion. Through Petroclus' eyes we see Achilles grow from gifted boy to the greatest warrior of his generation. But Achilles must balance his goddess-mother's dreams for his immortality with his very human love for Petroclus. Helen of Troy's abduction sets in motion the unstoppable omen portending glory and death for the greatest of the Greeks, Achilles, and Hector. Miller transports readers, even and maybe especially those with no knowledge of The Iliad, to the Greek world where gods and goddesses mingled in human affairs.

Award-winning author Anne Boyd Rioux tells us all about Louisa May Alcott's novel, Little Women. Anne is just the guest because she wrote the nonfiction book Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters. Little Women inspired Anne Napolitano in her writing of Hello Beautiful, our June book. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discover how Little Women's themes are still relevant in the 21st century -- we're still puzzling how to find purpose and be present for family and friends.

Four sisters, one lonely boy. Sounds like Little Women, right? Ann Napolitano thought so, too, when she was about 100 pages into writing what would become her bestselling novel, Hello Beautiful. She realized the similarities and decided to mold the story into a modern-day retelling of the classic. Napolitano's version is set in Chicago and there are enough variations to make this book, Little Woman lover or not, an engaging and surprising read. Nancy, who was young when she discovered Little Women and loved everything about it and the entire series, as well as Linny, who watched a movie adaptation, both were riveted by Napolitano’s brilliant storytelling that really helps us understand entirely new takes on these characters through their lifetimes. It’s a poignant reminder of the ways children cope with both scars and expectations to find their true selves.