inglesia

It took me two tries the first time as well but now I've read the whole series through a couple times. I definitely didn't have the impression the first time that it was going to be my favorite book but now it's easily my favorite and I'm not just a fantasy fan. I really like stereotypical literature too (Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment, Lolita) but I think song of ice and fire tops them all

Good choice. Fair warning though the first book (although it's very very very very good) is the slowest paced of the series, so if at any point you feel like you don't enjoy it I recommend you push on, because the series get's exponentially better as it builds on itself.