So I finished "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini today. I read all 367 pages in THREE DAYS. My poor family....dishes went undone....I could NOT put this book down, obviously! I didn't mean to read it so quickly. I hadn't read fiction in quite awhile, so it was a hard transition for me to make, from non-fiction to fiction again. I didn't want to start, but about 1/4 of the way into this story, it completely took me over.
One thing I love about reading is finding a great author who can make you care about and love the characters so deeply and realistically. You forget they aren't real...or you sub-consciously link them to someone in your own life. I commend Hosseini because Mariam and Laila became so close to my heart as I watched (read) their stories unfold. I won't post spoilers on here, but I felt their emotions and wanted to reach in and change the circumstances for them. It's been a long time since I've been this impacted by a fictional story. "Ellen Foster" by Kaye Gibbons was the first book to ever make my cry out of pure compassion for little Ellen. I think it's amazing that words on a page can have such an impact and power on a reader. There was a scene where Laila and her daughter are being held prisoners in their own home, and as Laila watched her baby girl crying for food, I could feel my own insides just aching at the thought of having to watch my own children suffer. Honestly, it's not an easy book to read...as far as it's content. It's disturbing and painful. Not a light-hearted read. It's not for everyone. But it's also hopelessly romantic and beautiful story.
I think because I read it so quickly, I'm still sort of stunned over it. I'm dying to talk to someone about it, so if you've read it, let me know! Hope ya'll aren't minding all the book posts lately, I'm having so much fun with it though! I really only intend to blog about books that I really enjoy and recommend...it just so happens that everything I'm reading lately is leaving an impression on me! I was thinking about starting a Book Review blog....but then I was thinking that it seems sort of redundant because I'm also reviewing on GoodReads.com. I love that site! If you're on it, find me...BeccaJane...and if you're not already on it, go check it out!
Not sure what I'm reading next... I have a few books I'm just waiting to get in at the library.
It's Summer!! Make your book list and read away!
4 comments:
Totally agree! I can't put my current one down, either.
Love that you're a reader.
Yet, ANOTHER, thing we have in common!
Becca I read it about a year ago, maybe longer. One of those stories that truly changes your viewpoint on the world. There were quite a few parts that made me cry including the one with them locked in their room, so sad! Maybe I'll have to quickly read it again before we're up in a few weeks and we can chat about it :) Oh if you have time watch "not without my daughter" deals with some of the same oppression of women, so great, and horrible to watch at the same time.
Did you read The Kite Runner? I just finished Aron Ralston's biography.
Not yet, DeAnn, I want to read something in between the two books, but it's on hold at the library. Did you like Ralson's story?
Amber, I'd love to see you when you visit!!
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