Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - Read this book NOW

David gave me this book for Christmas and I read it straight through. It is AMAZING and the new must-read suggestion on my list. It is a story of friendship and family set against the backdrop of political events in Afghanistan. I was enlightenend and reminded that children are children everywhere. My son's best friend is named Amir, and so is the main character in this book. I wish I could get both of them to read this book.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

This was my December audio book choice. I listened to it while I ran in the park as the snow fell on a lovely Sunday morning and finished listening to it through headphones on the couch next to the Christmas tree on December 22 while sleepover kids were raising a ruckus elsewhere in the house. I haven't seen the movie, Christmas with the Kranks, yet, but the book was fun.

How I Paid for College

This book is so, so funny. I really enjoyed his sense of humor, especially since I know many high school aged drama dorks who have similar interests and styles. The author is hailed as the "gay Dave Barry" on the cover flap. His plot concerns a kid who wants to get into Julliard. He and his friends spend the summer before college trying to raise money to make their dreams come true.

The Usual Rules by Joych Maynard

I liked this novel so much better than I thought I would. I bought it at the National Council of Teachers of English National Conference in Indianapolis. Joyce Maynard was at the conference signing copies of her book, which has a 13 year old protagonist whose mother was killed in the attacks on September 11th. The story revolves around the way she reshapes her life and definitions of family. She leaves her stepdad and brother in New York to live for a time with her father in California. I love the way Maynard weaves titles of books into the novel. By the way, Maynard lived for a short time with novelist, J.D. Salinger when she was a teenager and he was in his 50s. She has a great website with links to information about her life.