By Daily Press staff
Santa Monica Citywide Reads is a program that encourages people to read the same book and come together to discuss it in public book clubs and related events held citywide, which takes place April 12 to May 21.
The selected book, “The Kite Runner” is set in Afghanistan and California over a period of three decades. The novel is a story of the relationship between two boys of different social statuses and the complicated relationship between a father and son. The first Afghan novel to be written in English, “The Kite Runner” provides insights into the turbulent, recent history of Afghanistan and the rich cultures of the people of Afghanistan and Afghan- Americans. The author, Khaled Hosseini, was born in Kabul in 1965, and immigrated with his family to northern California in 1980, where he has been a practicing physician since 1996. Dr. Hosseini is making a special appearance at Santa Monica College on May 21.
Those who already belong to a book club are encouraged to participate by reading “The Kite Runner” and discuss it with their group using a Citywide Reads Resource Guide, available at all Santa Monica Public Library locations and on the Citywide Reads Web site: www.smpl.org/cwr.
The Santa Monica Daily Press will print a chapter of the book each day from April 4 through April 9.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.