So, people make these lists of best books. I am not sure if my list will really be this but, it will have some that I think are great. Some people might not be impressed with my literary tastes. If that is you, you can tell me your opinion or keep it to yourself. I would prefer rather than hearing negative comments that you choose to make your own list of GREAT books. I am sure if you have read more than two books then you have a favorite. These are in no particular order:
1. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - This book was published in 2003. It was turned into a movie (w/subtitles) in 2007. I recommend reading the book. I think the movie can be skipped altogether.
Summary: The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who befriends Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. It is a beautiful coming of age story about moral choices and how our choices affect us the rest of our lives. Also, the books is about friendship and how deep and meaningful are our connections with our friends and families.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- This book was published in 1960 and Harper Lee won a Pulitzer Prize. It was also made into a 1962 film by the same name that won three Oscars. I strongly recommend reading the book and watching the movie.
Summary: The primary themes of To Kill a Mockingbird involve racial injustice and the destruction of innocence. It is loosely based on an event that took place in Harper Lee's hometown when she was 10 years old.
3. In True Blood by Truman Capote- This 1966 book details 1959 murders of a small town Kansas family. It is the ultimate "True Crime" novel. It paved the way for the genre. Capote's preoccupation with his famous novel was documented in the 2005 movie, Capote.
4. Marley & Me by John Grogan- This book was published in 2005 and a movie by the same title came out in 2008. It starred Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. The movie made me life and cry. However, I laughed and cried harder at the book than the movie. The book was absolutely hilarious. It is the ultimate how not to do-it-yourself. It is a backwards self help book. A young couple just starting their life out as journalists decide to start a family. Of course everyone knows the first step to starting a family is getting a dog. The couple does everything wrong. They weren't prepared for such an energetic and loving puppy. As they grow older and their family expands so does their loveable pooch Marley. We can laugh at their story because it isn't our dog and we can cry with them because all dog owners have experienced similar loss. It is a true classic written straight from the heart of one dog owner to touch the heart of all dog owners. Don't worry about possibly crying anticipate it from the get go and keep a kleenex box handy for the crying and for when you laugh so hard you will cry.
These are a few books to get an avid reader started. If you aren't much of a reader start your plight with Marley & Me and please save In True Blood for last.
