The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This is the story of Amir, the on of a rich tradesman, and Hassan, the son of his fathers servant.  The story takes place in Afghanistan.  I read this book a few years ago, when it first came out, and I was unable to put it down.  The story of this uneven friendship, the betrayal of Amir, and the everlasting love of Hassan is heart-wrenching in places.  For most of the book, Amir is not your favorited character, and he literally doesnt redeem himself until the very end.  Recently I listened to Khaled Hosseini’s second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and I have to say his writing just keeps getting better.  9/10

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This book tells the story of Mariam and Laila, first and second wives to Rasheed.  The story takes place over three decades in the country of Afghanistan.  Mariam is emotionally, and mentally neglected for much of her childhood, but she is a girl in Afghanistan, so this is to be expected.  Laila has love from her father, but only resentments for and from her depressed mother.  The Afghanistan in the story is under Russian rule, warlord rule, and the tali ban, and there is no peace for anyone.  Rasheed is a jerk, he wants his women to be only his, and hidden from the world by burka and silence.  For many years Mariam is abused by Rasheed, in one incident he makes her chew on gravel when he isnt pleased with his rice.  Mariam cannot give him the heir he thinks he needs, so he marries Laila.  Laila has recently lost her parents to a missile, and is pregnant by her lifelong love.  It takes time, but eventually these two women strengthen each other, become each others family, and grow whole.  The turmoil doesn’t end until Rasheed is dead, and Mariam pays for the deed.  This is an awesome book, very well-written, and emotional.  I do not make a pretty picture crying over the keyboard at work.  10/10

The Innocent Mage & The Awakened Mage by Karen Miller

This duo of books by Karen Miller is called the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series.   tells the story of a fisherman, looking for a better life, and his adventures in the big city.  Little does he know that he is a small, but extremely important part in a prophecy.  Fate introduces Asher to a Prince, and a world that offers him more than he ever dreams.  The first book tells the story of Asher, and Prince Gar.  Asher and Gar become the best of friends.  They complement each other in temperament, and fill empty places for each other.  Towards the end of the first novel, and into the second Gar is bespelled and receives magic that is not his, but an evil magic that through him will destroy his world.  Asher actually has magic but doesnt know it, until he has to aid Gar.  I loved the first book, it was fast moving, and I like the characters, the second book however ended too quickly, it just fell off the cliff into nothing as was a bit disappointing. 8/10, 5/10

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

This is one of the most beautiful graphic novels I have had the pleasure of reading.  Shaun Tan uses beautiful, sepia toned pictures to tell the story of an immigrant, and his adjustments to a new land.  He uses many tools to show us the scope of things, like a series of pictures to show how long he was on the ship, and how small the ship is in comparison to the ocean it sails.  Another striking image is a series of pictures showing the changing of the seasons with one bloom.  This is a well drawn story, in a beautiful city, with unique stories that bloom from each situation he faces.  10/10

Brilliance of the Moon by Lian Hearn

This is the third book in the story of Takeo and Kaide Otori.  In this volume we learn more of the political situation outside of our young couple.  We also learn the age old lesson that working together as a team is much smarter than flying solo into a hurricane.  As Takeo and Kaide work together to bring the three kingdoms under one rule, they learn from each other, and from the people around them.  They also discover that although things may not be as they seem, that isn’t always a bad thing.  This is a good conclusion to the story of Takeo and Kaede, with an afterword that tells us that more is to come but in other voices.  8/10

Grass for His Pillow by Lian Hearn

This is the second book in this series.  Again we are exploring the lives of Takeo and Kaede.  This ill-fated couples separates to follow separate paths leading away from the future.  Takeo has committed himself to learning of his fathers heritage.  Kaede goes back to her fathers house to find things in ruin, and the nearest neighbor an old gay gentleman who wants to add her to his art collection.  As with all middle books, this story has no beginning, and no end.  This was not a book I would listen to again.  I become annoyed when the same couple has problem, after problem, and things do not get resolved until damage has been done that cannot be repaired.  7/10

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, AudioBook

The heart-shaped box contains a haunted suit. Thinking he is getting something cool from an internet auction, Judas Coyne, known as Jude, purchases a haunted suit. He has a collection of icky things, like a cookbook for cannibals, a skull that has been drilled for spirit release, etc. Thinking this is just the thing, he spends a 1000 dollars and gets more than he bargained for. The suit, is haunted all right, by someone holding a personal grudge against Jude. Judas is a hillbilly Ozzy. He writes macabre songs, and collects women by the state, calling them by Florida, or Tennessee to not be confused. The battle for survival begins, between a ghost trying to talk everyone into killing themselves or each other, to a cross country battle between Jude, and whoever the ghost decides to use this time. Great listen, awesome characterization. 10/10

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn, AudioBook

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn was read by Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone.  I truly enjoyed this version of the story.  I have read the book, but wanted to listen to the audio version.  I have a mind-numbing job.  I type for the USPS.  So finding a good audio book is the key to sanity.  Following the story of Otori Takeo, and set in an alternate feudal Japan, this story has history, intrigue, and blood.  Takeo has been raised to believe all are equal in the eyes of God, from the lowest flea to the Emperor.  Imagine his surprise when he learns that his heritage is one of not only violence, but assassination.  This is but one of the many mental and emotional trials he faces in this first part of a four part series.  Add a torrid romance with a girl deadly beautiful, and things get really interesting.  10/10

In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker

I have tried for over a month now to read this book.  First I tried reading before bed, made me sleepy.  Then I moved it to the “library” (aka bathroom) for reading during long stays, and I ended up bringing another book.  There are just not any characters in this book that I am interested in knowing about.  Nought/10

TINKER by Wen Spencer

OK, I admit I was hoping for a little more meat in this book.  The premise was interesting, to be sure, a portion of Pittsburgh is in Elf land.  If you can imagine that a city can exist on two planes, and still be able to shut off all power, phones, and air traffic, then this is a great book for you.  If that concept isn’t too hard to swallow, how about turning into an Elf after having sex with one, oh and thank goodness she was a virgin, (they exist, I am sure) or the spell attached to his sperm might not have worked so well.  I liked the idea of a female character with brains, I just wish the book had a bit more substance.  5/10