I've been itching to read this ever since it was published. Hosseini's The Kite Runner was one of my best reads of 2006. So, when I saw it on the 3 for 2 tables at Waterstone's, I couldn't resist. In fact, I couldn't resist taking two copies so that I could send the second out on a bookring while I read the first.

I'm opening this book up as a book ring (ie I'd like it back at the end of its travels - so I can send it out again). If you would like to join, please send me a PM with your name and country of where you live. Please also say if are not prepared to post internationally - otherwise I will assume that you can.(I'll try to order the list so that postage costs are kept to a minimum).



Some brief "rules"
* Journal the book when you receive it.
* PM the next person on the list for their address when you receive it so as to try to avoid hold-ups later on.
* If you don't hear from the next participant within a few days, PM them again. If after a few more days you still haven't heard from them, PM me to let me know, and move on to the next person on the list.
* Read (and hopefully enjoy!) Don't feel pressurised to read it in a rush (and remember that life gets in the way sometimes for all of us!) but if you need to keep hold of the book for longer than say six weeks or a couple of months, please journal to let us know.
* Journal again when you've read it to let us know what you think of it!
* Surface/economy mail is fine, but please make a note in a journal entry so the person you're sending to has a rough idea of when to expect it.

Participants (not yet in order):

Fushmush (UK) (UK)
Wickedlazy (UK) (UK)
Scotsbookie (UK) (UK/Europe)
Kerriou (UK) (UK/Europe)
YowlYY (UK) (happy to post anywhere)
Marie-therese (UK) (happy to post anywhere)
Laura0141 (UK) (happy to post anywhere)
Iojima (France) (happy to post anywhere)
Charly83 (Germany)

I'll post my comments on the book here when I've read my other copy, so that those on the bookring can see them too :)

RELEASE NOTES:

Will post to Fushmush in the next couple of days.

Received today. This may have to be a read at home book as it is in pristine condition. I'm a bit scared to take it out :D

I have one bookray ahead of it but should get to it soon.

Kind of a rehash of the topics covered in The Kite Runner. However, this time from a woman's perspective.

Still an interesting and compelling read. Certainly, after reading The Kite Runner and this, I know a lot more about the history of Afghanistan. I really feel for the women living in fundamentalist Islamic countries.

If you enjoyed this you should also read "The Bookseller of Kabul" by Asne Seierstad.

I have PMed the next in line and have the address in my hot little hands. Now I just have to make it to the post office. Hope to send the ring on its way early next week.

Safely received today.

OK, firstly a huge apology for holding onto the book for so long - I kept looking at it but the time was never quite right. One Sunday morning though, the book called and I started it. I finished it in about 3.5 hours, it was so compelling I could not tear my eyes away. There was a great story-line within the whole story of what happened to Afghanistan, to Kabul. Miriam was a true hero, and I cried my way through the last hour of the book. Do not read this in a public place!

I've got Scotsbookie's address and will send as soon as I can.

I'm pleased to say I finally extracted my thumb and it's been posted today - sorry all.

Arrived safely this morning along with several other book rings/rays. I will get to it asap.

As with 'The Kite Runner', Khaled Hosseini intertwines actual recent history with fiction with aplomb. The lives of Mariam, Rasheed & Laila are told against the back drop of the fall of the Afghani royal family, the Soviet invasion, success of the Mujihadeen & the coming of the Talban. The difference this has on thiers lives is devastating.

A great read, thank you Rivercassini for the chance to read the book. I'm just off to PM Kerriou & will have the book on its travels again asap.

RELEASE NOTES:

Arrived this morning. Thanks Scotsbookie.
I'm really looking forward to reading this.

I loved The Kite Runner and thought I may be a bit disappointed with this book in comparison. However, I was reading until 2am last night as I was unable to put this book down.
Although a little predictable, I was totally engrossed in the stories of Maryam and Laila. I shed a few tears along the way too. An excellent read.

Posted off to YowlYY this morning.

Arrived sometime between last Wednesday and Saturday, while I was away...thanks so much for mailing it! I am finishing another ring, so it will be the next on my TBR pile.

Update 17.03.2008: Just to let you all know that I am almost done with this book... a very good read! I have contacted Marie-therese and I will post another JE with my comments on the novel once I have finished it.

A fantastic story that will stay with me for quite a while...I have already recommended this book and "The Kite Runner" to a friend in Germany, I am sure he'll be captured by Hosseini's storytelling like me.

I must apologise for the delay with which this book is now finally moving... both Marie-therese and Laura0141 had already received a copy of the book or read it, hence I have shipped it today to Iojima. I could have mailed it at the end of March, but I have been hardly at home, and when I was, time never seemed to be enough to fulfil my bookcrossing obligations...sorry!

Received today just as I finished another book. Thank you. (I love Snoopy!)

At first I didn't think this was up to The Kite Runner, but it's effect is cumulative. It certainly gives a clear picture of the wars in Afghanistan from the Soviets to our own. Thank you, Rivercassini. Can't believe I read it so fast. Charly83 couldn't wait and bought a copy, so back to you.

This was on my desk when I arrived at work on Monday morning - it may have been sitting there for a few days as I hadn't been into the office since last Thursday.

Thank you so much Iojima for the lovely photograph inside the book.

Not sure what I'm going to do with this copy now - I may send it out on another ring if there's any interest, or perhaps take it to the next bookcrossing meet-up I go to.

RELEASE NOTES:

Will be posting this on to a fellow bookcrosser sometime next week.

recieved this from rivercassini after i requested to join the bookring somewhat late. thankyou so much for sending it. i will journal again after i have read it.