From the Bookshelf of 100+ Books in 2025

A Thousand Splendid Suns
by
Why we're reading this
A must read. Makes you glad to be an American.

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What Members Thought

Laura
Feb 03, 2008 rated it liked it
I liked this book as much as I liked The Kite Runner, but I don't know if I would say I enjoyed reading them. They are quite painful to read. The protagonists in this story, two young women from very different families, teach us that life is what it is -- burdens are to be borne and joys rejoiced in -- and, in the end, resentment and bitterness will get us nowhere, only acceptance and grieving and them moving on will bring peace. Behind all of this, a backdrop of war, decades of war. Whereas the ...more
Sharron
Nov 06, 2007 rated it really liked it
Shelves: fiction
I found this book to be formulaic but at the same time holding my interest and even admiration. I found the writing predictable. But the characters of Laila and Mariam have invaded my thoughts. Perhaps it was the horror of their lives and knowing that it still persists in many parts of the world. It has been a long time since I have read a book that had anything to do with Afghanistan as I have not yet read the author's previous novel. I was glad to be reminded of the beauty of the country as we ...more
Tina
Jul 08, 2007 rated it it was amazing
This book is a favorite of mine and will become your favorite too!

The story of two women and their lives in Afghanistan is an emotional tale that taught me a lot about the country. As you read of their childhood and how they, like most children are naive to what is happening around them until their lives are quickly changed.

They had no choice but to survive in this sad sad world in which they were born to. And their survival helps you see there is always hope, and love to sustain you, which the
...more
Les
Mar 08, 2008 rated it it was amazing
What a heartbreaking book. Beautifully written. The two women in this book are so real I'm surprised a man wrote the book. I'm more aware of the treatment of women worldwide, and inspired to do something about it. My feminist heart was outraged by this book, but hope triumphs, and the strength of women, even in hard times, continues to amaze me. Sacrificing yourself, admitting to murder, and knowingly going to your own execution, all for the sake of a better life for a friend, is an amazing act ...more
Fabienne Leys
Jun 11, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Once I sat down and focused on this book, I could not put it down. It was so tragic, and so utterly histrionic that I felt compelled to read on - knowing that all the atrocities sustained by the two main characters had to come to an end at some point. If you enjoyed The Kite Runner, you will definitely enjoy Hosseini's sophomore piece. ...more
Gretchen
Jul 14, 2007 rated it really liked it
After Kiterunner, I kinda thought how could he do it again? And it IS maybe a step behind Kiterunner, but still very worthy of reading.
Kate
May 29, 2007 rated it it was amazing
AMAZING!!! I could not put this book down. It is just as good as The Kite Runner.
Jill
Sep 06, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Better than The Kite Runner, as hard as that is to believe!
Laine
Aug 21, 2007 rated it it was amazing
emotionally evocative.
Nicole
Jul 03, 2007 marked it as to-read
quinn
Jul 07, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Kelly
Jul 31, 2007 rated it liked it
Jasveen
Aug 23, 2007 rated it liked it
Kathy Eiferle
Sep 03, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Clayton
Sep 17, 2007 marked it as to-read
Susan
Oct 06, 2007 rated it really liked it
Shelves: adult-fic
Marsha
Oct 10, 2007 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: _fiction, novel, 2009
Wils Cain
Oct 15, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Courtney
Nov 13, 2007 rated it really liked it
Kari
Dec 03, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Chirayu
Jan 06, 2008 marked it as to-read
Erika
Jan 27, 2008 rated it liked it
Kirsten
Feb 10, 2008 marked it as to-read
Derrith
Feb 22, 2008 marked it as to-read
eve
Feb 23, 2008 rated it liked it
Amber
Feb 25, 2008 marked it as to-read
Rosangela
Mar 12, 2008 rated it really liked it
Shelves: fiction
Nicole
Mar 15, 2008 rated it really liked it
Shelves: bookclub, 2008
Amy
Mar 21, 2008 rated it liked it
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