May I be one of the first to utilize this fine tool!
Recently I was handed two Fabulous books, from Jen, through Barb (thanks Jen ;)

First off, A Thousand Splendid Suns by the author (Khalded Hosseini) who wrote that stomach wrenching read: the Kite Runner....this one was a tad less graphic, but even more moving. The setting is Afghanistan over the last 30 years...the story describes the plight/value/position of women during this timeframe. At times I had the mental picture of an international Scarlet O'hara of sorts, standing on a dusty mound and crying for her land.....Hosseini paints a picture of a beautiful country, rich with beauty, bound by unfair traditions and grasping for change. In the middle of that country people are struggling to find love, success, or just plain survive with minimal physical damage. The love story is wrought with wounds and there is a strong Color Purple bond between the women in the story.....Jen and Barb can fill out the description.....It's a MUST read!

The second book I read was a fast, mental feast called The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. You can guess at the subject matter from the author's name and the title, but you won't be expecting the tale of twisted love and thought provoking perspective you're delivered!
The male in the narrative, Changez is his name, jets between Lahore, Pakistan, New York City, Greece and even Chile. Over the course of one year, he experiences all of lifes joys and sorrows, as well as the altering sway of international politics. The ending is dramatic and unexpected, as controversial as the Sopranos' last show...this is a definite conversation starter.....an eye-opener to the personal side of world conflict that we, in the East Bay are nearly sheltered from....
I'm still reeling from this one ....it was SOOOO Goood!
So that's it....let me know when you've picked one up....I'm dying to discuss the details of these two.....
Good night, or is it morning! And Hurray for Summertime :D