Thursday, March 29, 2007

Compelling



My new thing is books on cd. I started out with David Sedaris (hilarious), moved on to Mitch Albom (soso) and now Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner. Talk about a shift. This past week, I have actually been looking forward to my once dreaded commute. Today I actually took a longer route to the office because I couldn't be left hanging where I was in the story.

The story follows two boys living in Afghanistan in the early 70's - before the extreme political/social/cultural unrest began. The author does an amazing job of illustrating the tension between the Sunni Muslim/Pashtun people and the Sh'ia Muslim/Hazara people. I have seven (out of ten) cds ahead of me, but I can tell that this is going to be a complicated, multidimensional story that will be personally transformative.

For anyone who is a fan of this story, here is a treat: I found out that this novel is now a movie "in production" scheduled for release November 2007!

Here is a lovely picture of the author:


A man with an incredible gift.

31 comments:

C's Mom said...

How uncanny!

I just finished that one on my iPod. I am betting you'll love it.

JMCS said...

The Kite Runner sounds amazing. I love books on CD too. Is David Sedaris the brother of Amy Sedaris? She is so darn funny as well. I am getting ready to start "The Secret" on CD. Please let me know if you want me to burn a copy and mail it to you. I would be happy to. Take care. :)

Hugs,
Jonni
:

Anonymous said...

The Kite Runner was one of my favorite reads last year. I didn't know they were making it into a movie! His new book, A Thousand Splendid Sunshines, will be out this May. I am writing a bit about it on my book blog for a post tomorrow! I will mention about the movie - thanks!
Stephanie
www.thewrittenword.wordpress.com

Polar Bear said...

That looks like an interesting book. I am going to have to check it out. Thanks for the advise.

walternatives said...

Do you rent your c.d.'s from the library? I have a long drive ahead of me in May - I'll see if my library has this. What happy news that your commute is nearly enjoyable. Thanks for the recommendation.

aimeeg said...

Sounds like a great read.

My dad gets books on cd constantly from the local library for his daily hour commute and loves it.

Donna said...

Kiterunner was one of my favorite books. Can't wait until the net book comes out.

Anonymous said...

My mother RAVES about this book (I haven't read it myself...)!

"M" said...

Loved Loved Loved that book! Great and moving story, as well as a really interesting read. Enjoy!

NatD said...

I bought this book at Christmas w/a Border's gift card, but have yet to read it. Sounds like I need to start!

Mamacita said...

I read this a couple of years ago. Amazing.

Unknown said...

A friend of mine loves to listen. I'm more of a reader myself but have thought that the next time I go on a road trip I should see how it suits me.
Sounds compelling!

TBG Happenings said...

Great book...book on CD. One of my favorites. I have the book but I have not let anyone borrow it, because it is one of the few books I'll read again.

Anonymous said...

I highly reccomend listening to both Bel Canto and Brick Lane on tape. They are absolutely awesome

Tammy said...

Loved Kite Runner. And I'm seconding Wicked Witch - Brick Lane is a good one too.

Can't wait for this semester is over (5 weeks) so I can read something that I want to read.

M and M said...

It just never occurs to me to get books on tape...perhaps this is something that I should look into!

Michelle said...

David Sedaris make me laugh out loud. Not good when you are in the middle of the bookstore. The Kite Runner is on my list of books to read next. I find that I can't do books on C.D. because I have the attention span of a gnat and my mind wanders and then I have no idea what is going on. I don't find that to be the case when I read though(thankfully).

Kelli said...

Uh....yeah....oooh la la...I'd say that IS a lovely treat to behold!
On the book...I've heard good things about it, and actually just tonight during "remodeling hours" at my house my friend was saying he is just up to chapter 6 in it...! Keep us posted! I absolutely LOVE David Sedaris too- he's great!

Gracencameronsmomy said...

I have been wanting to read that...

Shannon said...

Ok, so I'm gonna sound totally superficial here after all these comments, but yes, that is a lovely picture of the author. =)

Tamara said...

I love audio books too! I spend a lot of time in my car and actually look forward to driving so I can pick up where I left off. I'll have to look this one up at my local library.

Shandra said...

Ok, I am going to check it out. I have a commute one day a week. I would love to have something to make it better.

kitchu said...

One of my most favorite books, though I'm old fashioned and can't do it on disc or i-pod. Gotta smell those pages to really feel engrossed. I'm a bookworm, what can I say!

Beeb said...

One of my favorite reads last year. He had a new one out about women in Afghanastan. Sounds interesting - don't remember the title

Anonymous said...

I want to listen to an audiobook on our China trip. Our library has a nice selection.

I enjoyed Kite Runner

Jessi said...

It really is a great book - it stayed with me for quite a while after I finished it. It's one that I will probably re-read at some point and I don't do that often.

And how did I not know that he was that good looking? Now I like the book even more.

CA Momma said...

LOVED that book! So happy to hear it will be a movie. Though... they usually don't live up to the book.

Liz and Ava said...

Sounds great...I'll have to check it out!!

tundrachica said...

It will be a few years before I can get back to reading such intense books...but I have become a lover of the commute (along with my 8 year old) thanks to Harry Potter on CD.

NatD said...

Just wanted to give you a heads up that I've moved the blog. The new URL is:

http://justgottahangon.typepad.com/

Come to visit, and be sure to update your blogroll, thanks! :)

rubyiscoming said...

loved this book, too! we read it for my book club last year! and, who knew the author was a HOTTIE!? :)