Khaled Hosseini: The Kite Runner

I have wanted to read this book for a very long time. I started listening to it in my car on my daily commute (45+ minutes to school each way), and am really glad I did. I would not have even come close to pronouncing the very Afghan words/names used.

I hated the narrator throughout the entire text, which, I guess is a good thing that the book was able to solicit emotion from me at all. There is an element of redemption in the end, but it is a very sad book.

I am glad I read this, but I feel more ignorant because of my lack of knowledge pertaining to global issues--this book made me look up information on the Hazara people and the Taliban faction that massacred them.

All and all, while I didn't totally love it, I am glad I read it--different story, different culture, and pretty darn good writing.

I would recommend listening to at least a few chapters just to hear the pronunciation of words and lilt and subtle nuances in this type of dialect.

Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife

So I asked Ms. Wescott which book to read:

The House of Sand and Fog

The Time Traveler's Wife

Running With Scissors

or

The Archivist

Her recommendation

<--

Yeah.

A VERY quick read for a 500+ page book, with a very interesting story (and awesome setting--I remember all the neighborhoods/streets referenced in Chicago!!)

But, overall this book gets an underwhelming "eh."

While I appreciate the originality, the cheeseball romance is definitely not my style. Also, there were points in the book that I wanted to punch the author in the face--the text got off-track and rambled and got to be TOO much. But, I am glad I read this. I don't think I would recommend it though...