My friends gave me The Kite Runner as a birthday gift ( after checking my ‘to-read’ list on Goodreads :-) ) . As this book was shorter than Shantaram, I decided to go with it first.

The book was a refreshing change from the books I have been reading lately - Rich Dad Poor Dad , Cashflow Quadrant. The last book I read which made me forget my daily activities and stick to reading was Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, when it was released. And now, The Kite Runner.

In one word, this book is - touching. Emotional. Not to mention a bit depressing in between.Actually, it is a emotional ride set in the backdrop of Afghanistan and the political events in the region which altered lives of Afghanis who were living in as well as out of Afghanistan. You might have traveled the world in Dan Brown series, but this book takes you to never-seen-before Afghanistan, and you will love the picture painted by the author. Just makes me imagine what Afghanistan must have been back then in 1975.Khaled Hosseini is the first English author from Afghanistan and gives a true picture of the country, right from 1975 to the post-9/11 attacks.The book brings out the true nature of Afghanis , something which I have not seen or read before anywhere.

The book is about two boys in Afghanistan, enjoying their innocent childhood. Amir loves his father and wants to gain his attention.And Hassan, his friend, has always been loyal to him. Then tragedy strikes,and things fall apart. Afghanistan is raided by outsiders and people flee.But the past still haunts them. It always does.The choices we make always come back.There is a way to be good again.

There are many cliches in the book ;- the story and events become predictable ( just like in a Hindi movie ). But that is all accepted for the simplistic writing.Do read this book. Atleast before you watch the film version of it , which I guess is released in US this week. It is directed by Marc Foster - director of Finding Neverland - so eagerly waiting to watch it.