Riding the Iron Rooster
- Paul TherouxHe traveled through Communist China by train (just a little before Tianamen Square). I enjoyed this because he appreciated the Chinese people and yet didn't miss their foibles. Helped prepare me for my trip to China.
Brave New World
- Aldous HuxelyA classic from 1930's. Shockingly prophetic look into the "future". Here are some posts inspired by reading this book: here and here and here and an excellent article. (The edition I've linked to has some contemporary responses in the back, which I enjoyed reading, too.)
A Thousand Splendid Suns
- Khaled HouseiniI liked this one even better than Kite Runner, which was good.
Three Cups of Tea
- Greg MortensenExcellent true story of one man's life mission to villagers in the high Himalays/Hindu Kush around Pakistan and Afghanistan. I should say his was not a Christian mission, but he was doing missionary-type work. He began his mission before 9/11, but has been able to continue it after as well. (In fact, he was there at the time of 9/11 and had a hairy escape from the country.)
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
- Bill Bryson Laugh out loud funny memoirs of his life growing up in the 50's. Some other greats by Bryson that I've thoroughly enjoyed: A Walk in the Woods
(Bryson attempts the Appalachian Trail) and In a Sunburned Country
(Bryson visits and writes about modern-day Australia). In fact, I'd confidently purchase any book by him. Be warned - he does use some bad language; however, it is not gratuitous nor frequent.
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2 comments:
I enjoyed your booklist, and have put a couple on reserve at the library.
The plural (at least the real plural) of forum is fora ;-).
I read two of the same books last year that you did--Brave New World, a re-read, and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I haven't read (and don't plan to read) Houseini's other book, but I loved this one.
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