It's book club tonight. I'm feeling somehow rejuvenated regarding book club and am all energized to make it especially fun this year. We have several new members, and that just seems to give us all a jump or something.
I haven't blogged too much about my book club in the past... a little, but not a whole lot. I think I'm going to talk a bit more about it this year. We'll see how it goes.
So tonight we are discussing The Kite Runner. I realized at some point last year that hardly anyone in my group had read this amazing book, so I requested the book club set from the library, and we finally got our hands on it this past month.
My thoughts on the book:
The Kite Runner was the first book I ever blogged about, way before this book blog ever existed, back in the day when my little Yahoo 360 blog was just a tiny baby. I was blown away by it then, and after this re-read I loved it just as much the second time around. The quote "For you, a thousand times over!" is one that will forever stick with me.
The story is about Amir and his quest to redeem himself from a betrayal of his best friend when they were just kids. His friend, Hassan, was the definition of loyalty. Amir, on the other hand, had some issues. Issues that one can totally relate to. When the Russians invade, Amir and his father, Baba, escape to America, and start a new life. Amir never hears from Hassan again, and doesn't know what happens to him until he goes back to Afghanistan much much later when a friend of his father's calls him home.
It's then the he has the chance to "be good again."
What I hope we can discuss:
I haven't blogged too much about my book club in the past... a little, but not a whole lot. I think I'm going to talk a bit more about it this year. We'll see how it goes.
So tonight we are discussing The Kite Runner. I realized at some point last year that hardly anyone in my group had read this amazing book, so I requested the book club set from the library, and we finally got our hands on it this past month.
My thoughts on the book:
The Kite Runner was the first book I ever blogged about, way before this book blog ever existed, back in the day when my little Yahoo 360 blog was just a tiny baby. I was blown away by it then, and after this re-read I loved it just as much the second time around. The quote "For you, a thousand times over!" is one that will forever stick with me.
The story is about Amir and his quest to redeem himself from a betrayal of his best friend when they were just kids. His friend, Hassan, was the definition of loyalty. Amir, on the other hand, had some issues. Issues that one can totally relate to. When the Russians invade, Amir and his father, Baba, escape to America, and start a new life. Amir never hears from Hassan again, and doesn't know what happens to him until he goes back to Afghanistan much much later when a friend of his father's calls him home.
It's then the he has the chance to "be good again."
What I hope we can discuss:
- the relationship between Amir and Hassan
- the relationship between Amir and Baba
- the author's description of events in Afghanistan
- the author's treatment of the different ethnic groups
- every one's level of emotional response to the story itself
- cultural differences and similarities
But food first, as I always say. (Let's not discuss anything until the food is in our hands!) I saw this recipe on a "new to me" blog, and decided I needed to try it. Pumpkin chocolate chip bars. I'm baking them now. They smell wonderful!
Then I decided to have some naan too. We've made this recipe several times at our house and have loved it, so I thought it would be fun to make it for the group tonight, since it's mentioned over and over again in the book. Anyway, it could be interesting. We'll see how it goes.
Fun links:
Discussions with the author, Khaled Hosseini
This heart-wrenching YouTube video with movie clips (spoilers in this one):
Other Reviews:
:D
ReplyDeleteMy club doesn't usually actually talk about the book. At least not when we get together... We do tend to talk about the book one on one on the phone and such. :D
We'd drive a lot of people crazy, I'll bet.
I'm ready to read this amazing book again. Glad u liked it as well.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read this one. I always worried about the violence in it, especially after hearing about the movie. But I have read A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I thought was okay, and i have put this one on my list. I'm still a bit scared, though.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I was the same way. I read it and was powerfully affected by it. I don't think I could ever read it again, though. Here's my review.
ReplyDeleteBritt: The book club I go to is like that. It is pretty funny sometimes!
ReplyDeleteDiane: Hopefully you'll be able to fit it in somewhere.
Amanda: I felt the same way. I was scared. And I was scared for my book club to read it. I'm anxious to find out what they thought. For me, my imagination was actually worse than what was in the book.
Melissa: Why do I always miss your reviews? They don't show up in the search thing I'm using or something.
I can't believe I haven't read this one yet. I even have it on my bookshelf. I will definitely have to read it soon. I LOVED A Thousand Splendid Suns.
ReplyDeleteThis book is in my top ten favourite books of all time. I agree that "For you, a thousand times over" will stick with my forever.
ReplyDeleteI have this one on the bookshelf after snagging it at a library sale. I really should read it.
ReplyDeleteSoooo ... how did it go?! Please update and let me know! :)
ReplyDelete