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05/19/2009: "Three Cups of Tea..."

I finished the book- I like the story but didn't care for the story teller (the book is written from Relin's perspective as an admiring journalist interviewing and observing Mortenson). I wish he would have written it in first person. Still glad I read it!

The title from a Balti proverb..."The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family."

The book describes Mortenson's transition from a mountain-climber to a humanitarian committed to reducing poverty and educating girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He did this by co-founding the "Central Asia Institute," which has built over 78 schools in the most remote areas of the countries.

Given the current issues in Pakistan and Afghanistan- it made for an interesting read. Give it a whirl!

Ideas for a "next book"?

Replies: 5 Comments

Oh, I didn't realize that it wasn't out yet... let's plan on that being Sept/Oct's book.

I haven't heard anything on "The Hour I First Believed", but I read Lamb's "I Know This Much Is True" and I wasn't fond of it... I don't like stories where people have so many bizarre problems, which is also why for as much as I love "Sex & The City" I'm not all that fond of Bushnell's other books. I guess I just like stories I can relate to better... and I always love a good vampire story too (loved Twilight and need to read the others).

Anyway, my friends back in W-S loved "I Know This Much Is True" and raved about "She's Come Undone" but I haven't read that one. So maybe this one is better and I should give the author another try. Heck, I keep reading Bushnell looking for a miracle (I've read 4 of them or so and only like one).

Also for consideration:
- What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self
-Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story

Erin said on Saturday, May 23rd @ 02 :24 PM CST

Stick with Wicked- I thought it got good after Shiz- that is when Elphaba came into her own.Also Dan Brown is great- his new book isn't out till September (I WILL BE READING IT). I would read Angels and Demons- my favoriate- much better than the movie- good history.
Someone recommended "The Hour I First Believed, Wally Lamb" - long (752 pages) but I heard it was good.

La said on Wednesday, May 20th @ 01 :10 PM CST

I only have about 60 pages left in "Three Cups of Tea". I agree about the way it's written... for some reason it makes it hard for me to get through it. It's a great story but it's a little boring, I think. It probably would be better if written from Mortenson's point of view... but it is amazing with everything he has accomplished. I like the book more when he talks about being in the villages with the people... the beginning was better in my view.

For other book considerations, I really think people would enjoy "Hanna and Walter: A Love Story"... I would read this one again too. Personally I want to read Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" but I think many already have... he now has a sequel to "The Davinci Code" that's brand new though, called "The Lost Symbol." "Marley & Me" was wonderful, but I think many have read it too.

Erin said on Wednesday, May 20th @ 12 :02 PM CST

Oh, and I'm still working on Wiked, for some reason I'm just having a hard time getting into it. I still don't read as much as I should, especially with all the time I have on my hands!

Beth said on Tuesday, May 19th @ 04 :25 PM CST

I read this one last winter... I agree, it wasn't written as well as it could have been, but what an amazing story and what they do is incredible.

Beth said on Tuesday, May 19th @ 04 :24 PM CST