SANTA MONICA CITYWIDE READS FEATURES THE KITE RUNNER, APRIL 12-MAY 21

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:       April 8, 2005
Contact:  Susan Annett, Principal Librarian, (310) 458-8640
 

Santa Monica Citywide Reads, a program that encourages people who live or work in or visit Santa Monica to read the same book and come together to discuss it in public book clubs and related events held citywide, takes place April 12 to May 21.

The featured book is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead Books, 2003). Set in Afghanistan and California over a period of three decades, this novel is a compelling 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.  The Kite Runner is his debut novel and has become a bestseller and received recognition as a San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year, a 2004 Alex Award as an Adult Book that Appeals to Teen Readers, and a Borders Original Voices® Award. As part of Citywide Reads, Dr. Hosseini is making a special appearance at Santa Monica College on May 21.

Sponsored by the Santa Monica Public Library, with support by the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, the Santa Monica College Associates, and community, educational, and business partners, Citywide Reads invites participation in the following moderator-led public book discussions:

  • Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 1201 Third Street Promenade.

  • Tuesday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth Street.

  • Wednesday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave.

  • Monday, April 25 at 2:15 p.m. Emeritus College, 1227 Second Street, Room 407.

  • Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. Cafe Bolivar, 1741 Ocean Park Blvd. (Teen book discussion).

  • Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. Borders, 1415 Third Street Promenade.

  • Thursday, May 5 at 11:15 a.m. Santa Monica College Library, Room 193, 1900 Pico Blvd.  

  • Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd.

  • Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 1426 Montana Ave.

  • Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 3150 Ocean Park Blvd.

  • Thursday May 19 at 7 p.m. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 200 Santa Monica Blvd.

Participation is encouraged for those who already belong to a book club by reading The Kite Runner and discussing 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.

Special Citywide Reads programs include:

  • “What is it that Empire Steals?: U.S. Foreign Policy and Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner,” a talk by Political Science Professor Larry George of California State University, Long Beach, about the novel in the context of Afghanistan and international politics over several decades, on Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd.

  •  Kandahar, a screening of the 2001 film, written and directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, that follows an Afghan émigré’s perilous journey back home during the Taliban reign, introduced by Amanda Roraback, author of Afghanistan in a Nutshell on Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m., Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave.

  • The acclaimed Arohi Ensemble performs traditional music of southern Asia at the Santa Monica Festival on Saturday, May 14, from noon to 12:45 p.m. Children will have an opportunity to decorate their own kites in a craft workshop that runs continuously from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Library booth. The Festival runs from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd.

  • “Khaled Hosseini: In Conversation.” The author of The Kite Runner presents a reading and discusses his critically-acclaimed novel, followed by question-and-answer and a book sale and signing, courtesy of Barnes & Noble Booksellers, on Saturday, May 21 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Santa Monica College Pavilion, 1900 Pico Blvd.

      Citywide Reads book discussions and events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Santa Monica Public Library, 458-8600, or visit www.smpl.org/cwr.

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This page was last updated on 04/08/05.