Saturday, June 29, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Book 25 - And the Mountains Echoed
And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseni
Finally. Finally. Finally.
I have been waiting for this since forever...really, since I read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. The book came out, and I really should have just caved and bought it at the bookstore (I still might do that once it comes out in paperback). I waited and waited for my turn to come up on the library waiting list. I was on 2 different library systems' wait lists, each a couple hundred people long. Luckily, I had the foresight to join the wait list in early April! I was within the first 100 on both lists!
I read this book incredibly quickly, and I know I'll need another read in a year or so. It was incredible. Khaled Hosseni is one of the best story tellers I have ever read. His stories are intricate, well thought out, and express a foreign (to me) culture in a way that is appreciable and understanding. Other authors are at least somewhat predictable, but not Hosseni. I had no clue what would happen in the next chapter or page.
This book was well crafted, intriguing, heart-wrenching, and incredible. I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who has read The Kite Runner and/or A Thousand Splendid Suns.
by Khaled Hosseni
Finally. Finally. Finally.
I have been waiting for this since forever...really, since I read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. The book came out, and I really should have just caved and bought it at the bookstore (I still might do that once it comes out in paperback). I waited and waited for my turn to come up on the library waiting list. I was on 2 different library systems' wait lists, each a couple hundred people long. Luckily, I had the foresight to join the wait list in early April! I was within the first 100 on both lists!
I read this book incredibly quickly, and I know I'll need another read in a year or so. It was incredible. Khaled Hosseni is one of the best story tellers I have ever read. His stories are intricate, well thought out, and express a foreign (to me) culture in a way that is appreciable and understanding. Other authors are at least somewhat predictable, but not Hosseni. I had no clue what would happen in the next chapter or page.
This book was well crafted, intriguing, heart-wrenching, and incredible. I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who has read The Kite Runner and/or A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Book 24 - Three Cups of Tea
Three Cups of Tea
by Greg Mortenson & David Relin
Impressive. Very impressive.
This journey is about a man who goes from ordinary to extraordinary, simply by making a promise to build a school in a small village in Pakistan. Mortenson's drive to educate children, especially girls, is promoting peace worldwide. His journey was rocky, and the story seemed to pay homage to the struggles. It obviously wasn't easy for Mortenson's family to have him away for long periods of time, but his new family in Pakistan sure appreciated his work.
Prior to reading, I had very little knowledge of the conflicts in Pakistan. My limited insight came strictly from US propaganda and news, though I didn't believe it all. I appreciated hearing about the United States from outsiders' perspectives.
After I finished this book, I was at the library, and found that Mortenson had written another book! I look forward to reading it in the near future.
by Greg Mortenson & David Relin
Impressive. Very impressive.
This journey is about a man who goes from ordinary to extraordinary, simply by making a promise to build a school in a small village in Pakistan. Mortenson's drive to educate children, especially girls, is promoting peace worldwide. His journey was rocky, and the story seemed to pay homage to the struggles. It obviously wasn't easy for Mortenson's family to have him away for long periods of time, but his new family in Pakistan sure appreciated his work.
Prior to reading, I had very little knowledge of the conflicts in Pakistan. My limited insight came strictly from US propaganda and news, though I didn't believe it all. I appreciated hearing about the United States from outsiders' perspectives.
After I finished this book, I was at the library, and found that Mortenson had written another book! I look forward to reading it in the near future.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Book 23 - Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Cheryl Strayed
Somewhere I saw this book be compared to Eat, Pray, Love. Interesting comparison: two women out to find themselves. I get it, and appreciate their stories. I wish I had the guts to drop everything and go out on my own to a foreign territory for a period of time. Instead, I'll read other people's stories, and contemplate my life that way.
I was very intrigued by all the backpacking techniques and struggles. I've never considered backpacking, or even thought about how painful days upon days walking would be. I guess I lead a very sedentary life, where moving a few boxes gives me blisters on my hands.
Maybe I'm slightly inspired to go spend some time in nature, go hiking or camping. But I'd prefer to know where I am, and have an easy route to go home when I'm ready. While reading Strayed's adventures, I lived vicariously through her life. I'd like to visit some of the places she talks about (mountains, rather than desert), and even go on some day hikes.
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fairly quick and easy read. It wasn't mentally stimulating, but it was interesting.
by Cheryl Strayed
Somewhere I saw this book be compared to Eat, Pray, Love. Interesting comparison: two women out to find themselves. I get it, and appreciate their stories. I wish I had the guts to drop everything and go out on my own to a foreign territory for a period of time. Instead, I'll read other people's stories, and contemplate my life that way.
I was very intrigued by all the backpacking techniques and struggles. I've never considered backpacking, or even thought about how painful days upon days walking would be. I guess I lead a very sedentary life, where moving a few boxes gives me blisters on my hands.
Maybe I'm slightly inspired to go spend some time in nature, go hiking or camping. But I'd prefer to know where I am, and have an easy route to go home when I'm ready. While reading Strayed's adventures, I lived vicariously through her life. I'd like to visit some of the places she talks about (mountains, rather than desert), and even go on some day hikes.
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fairly quick and easy read. It wasn't mentally stimulating, but it was interesting.
Book 22 - Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
by Barbara Demick
This book oh so totally fits my theme of different life perspectives. Honestly, I don't know much about North Korea, or even South Korea for that matter. In high school, it took me the longest time to remember which one was the "bad" Korea...propaganda, much? I guess it wasn't until Kim Jong-Il died that I became conscious of the plight of the North Korean citizens.
Anyway, the book started out slow, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Once Demick moved away from the history part, and more into the life stories of the individuals she interviewed, I started getting into the book. Toward the end, the only way I could put it down was due to my physical exhaustion from the last week of school. It's unfathomable to me how horrible the conditions are in North Korea, even today. You'd think that something would have gotten better by now. It's not my country to judge, though it makes me quite sad that much of the humanitarian aid sent over doesn't even reach the people in need.
I appreciate this book, and all of the insight it gave me into a different life. Coming up soon, I'm planning to read The Orphan Master's Son. Should be interesting...
by Barbara Demick
This book oh so totally fits my theme of different life perspectives. Honestly, I don't know much about North Korea, or even South Korea for that matter. In high school, it took me the longest time to remember which one was the "bad" Korea...propaganda, much? I guess it wasn't until Kim Jong-Il died that I became conscious of the plight of the North Korean citizens.
Anyway, the book started out slow, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Once Demick moved away from the history part, and more into the life stories of the individuals she interviewed, I started getting into the book. Toward the end, the only way I could put it down was due to my physical exhaustion from the last week of school. It's unfathomable to me how horrible the conditions are in North Korea, even today. You'd think that something would have gotten better by now. It's not my country to judge, though it makes me quite sad that much of the humanitarian aid sent over doesn't even reach the people in need.
I appreciate this book, and all of the insight it gave me into a different life. Coming up soon, I'm planning to read The Orphan Master's Son. Should be interesting...
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