The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This powerful debut novel awakens a curiosity about the world around us and speaks a clear truth as the lessons of history echo down through the years. The themes are universal: familial relationships, particularly father and son; the price of disloyalty; the inhumanity of a rigid class system; and the horrific realities of war.

Amir enjoys the luxury of a privileged life; his companion is his servant, Hassan. Their relationship is sorely tested over an act of degradation committed by a third party, and remains in Amir’s guilty conscience for the rest of his life; the betrayal of his friend.

Played out on a world stage, in a desperate battle to preserve the cultural heritage of Afghanistan, the novel spans Amir’s life in Kabul and America. Finally, Amir has a chance to redeem himself and returns to Kabul in order to put a plan into action and release him from his torment. I found this book to be deeply moving and suggest a box of tissues be on hand.

Only God Can Make A Tree by Bertram Roach 

I would be deeply remiss if I did not give this delightful book, written by a son of the soil, a mention. This is Bertram Roach’s first novel and I believe there is another one in the making. This “young” man is in his eighties! And I had the great pleasure and privilege of reading this book before it went to print.

Adrian is the son of a black Caribbean woman and an Irish immigrant father and is blessed with a pale skin and European features, taking after his father, which allows him social acceptance and upward mobility in the rigidly hierarchical society of twentieth century Caribbean life.

He falls in love, which way will he move?  Improve his social standing by marrying the overseer’s daughter, or wed his true love from his own background? Set on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, this gripping tale is the true story of a family of mixed race and mixed fortunes. It will no doubt ring many bells!

This book can be purchased at Chapter 1 book store in Nevis, or ordered from Amazon.com.

The Tibetan Art Of Positive Thinking by Christopher Hansard

I could not resist slipping this book in as we could all benefit with some positive thinking in these troubled times! True original thought is one of the most powerful energy resources that we have. Tapping into it, as the Tibetan Bon culture has known for centuries, can bring great spiritual, financial, and emotional success.

But most of us do not know how to think skilfully in order to reap these life changing benefits. In this inspiring book, leading Tibetan practitioner, Christopher Hansard, imparts the traditional Tibetan Bon techniques for taking control of our thinking and creating the life that we really want to live.

Christopher Hansard has written an eloquent yet practical guide to skilful thoughts for successful living. A useful bedside book to dip into when in need of a refresher course on how to stay positive!

Walk The Blue Fields by Claire Keegan

The ability of the Irish to write truly beautiful prose with great poignancy never ceases to amaze me and I hunger for it, so you will nearly always see an Irish book reviewed by me. Claire Keegan has been described by Declan Kiberd of the Irish Times as “A writer already touched by greatness,” he is spot on.

This is one of the most exceptional collections of short stories to be published by any Irish writer in years. Claire Keegan writes with extraordinary grace, her words and images float like puffy clouds. She observes an Ireland wrestling with its past and it is against this landscape, that the stories of “Walk the Blue Fields” so beautifully articulate all the yearnings of the human heart.

A wild woman moves into a priest’s house and sets fire to his furniture, the reason being…; a farmer wakes half naked and realises his money is all gone…; while the scent of hay drifts up from neighbouring fields, a teenage immigrant articulates the reason for her going…. Powerful imagery honed to a fine point like a newly sharpened cutlass.

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