3 Book Recommendations (Some of My Favs)

After I finish each book I typically write a little blurb about it. I had a conversation the other day that reminded me of people's interest in good book recommendations. Here are 3 good ones, with three pretty different subjects. They are Fiction / Escape Literature

Kite Runner by Khalled Houssini
Excruciating story in the beginning, the author poignantly conveys the emotions of the main character. Many books and stories go in your mind and are forgotten, this one is unforgettable. It is about a boy growing up in an Afghanistan rich with tradition and family. He later is forced from his homeland and moves to America, he struggles with what his national identity and returns on a quest which will help him make peace with himself.

A Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
This book was incredible. It absolutely changed the way I saw the world for hours at a time after I stopped reading. It gave me the viewpoint of an outsider to the human society. Valentine Michael Smith a human baby raised on mars comes to Earth after years in a Martian society. This gives the author artistic freedom to convey his message. The book reflects on all the major topics of life, religion, happiness, needs, wants, and sexual freedom. It is fantastic. I think the author may indeed have Scandinavian origins, and has a good knowledge of French as well. It is rewarding to know either of those languages when you read the book.

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
One of the best-told stories I have ever read. It is poignant and touching. This little book makes for a quick read but leaves an immense feeling in its wake. It captures the lifestyle of the American working south, with big ranches, long hours, and big American dreams. The dialogue, imagery, and characters are all well formulated to present this remarkably accurate account of a place and time that can, to a degree, still be seen today. More important to the story however is the struggle brought about by the main character Lennie’s lack of intelligence and the struggle of Lennie’s only friend and guardian George to fulfill their only dream; to have something they can call their own and live off the fat of the land!