Latest Book Recommendations

I just finished reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. In a nutshell, it is the story of two boys, one the son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, the other the son of the other boy's father's servant. It starts in Afghanistan in the early 1970's and comes full circle back to more modern times after the country comes under Taliban rule. It has everything in it that makes for a great story--love, deceit, anger, forgiveness, weakness and bravery. Excellent book and I highly recommend it. The average rating including the other 10 people who attended my book club's recent book chat was a 4.5 out of 5, so pretty much everyone in attendance enjoyed this compelling, page-turner.

I'm currently reading The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls. Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents. I've only read about 40 pages, and I'm loving this book too! I'll let you know in early April what the other gals at book chat have to say.

Comments

[Jeanne]

You will love his second book, too: Thousand Splendid Suns as much, if not more.

[Kim]

Just finished the books
The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Glass Castle.
Thanks for all suggestions! Great reading!

[Jeanne]

I treasure the three books you mention. I heard Jeannette Walls speak at our local library and her audience loved her. Here are 5 more books that I treasure and think you may enjoy:
1) Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen (he builds one school at a time for girls who don't have access in Pakistan and Afghanistan);
2) See You in 100 years by Logan Ward (a young NYC couple moved to Swope, Virginia & lived in 1900 style w 2yr old);
3) Population 485 (author tells how he came back home to New Auburn, Wisconsin, pop. 485, and became a volunteer on the local Fire and Rescue Squad); and
4) The Hindi Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan (story of three mothers born in India who immigrated to U.S., had daughters, and shared life experiences and wonderful recipes. My book club talked with Monica and enjoyed her very, very much.
5) Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. Undercover journalist shows the realities of people who work hard but barely get by. Heard Barbara speak and realized I was seeing an unsung hero.
Maria, thank you for all the helpful ideas. Big Fan.

[Laura]

Our book club read this last year. This was a different book for me. I had a hard time getting into it. I decided to start it again. When I did, it was much easier for me to get into. I did enjoy the book. The movie was O.K. but I felt that it left out too much.

[Laura]

The Glass Castles was very interesting. This book was our June book club pick. The Glass Castle, will make a impact on you.