Title: Three Cups of Tea
Author: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Pages: 338
Yearly Count: 45
(July book Blowout book 8)

A world away form here what many of us would view as life's necessities are extravagances for many. In Three Cups of Tea Greg Mortenson's story is told. He wants to do something to honour his sister so he chooses to climb K2 to honour her.He fails at his attempt to do what he has always done, but then begins his journey at something he has never done and something that comes completely from the heart, and will use up all his brain power and energy as well. He sees a need for schools in Pakistan, the children sit outside in the cold winter months to learn their lessons on their own, without a teacher. Mortenson makes it his one mission to change that. Three Cups of Tea is the process of building, buying and brining these dreams together.

I was inspired by Mortenson in this book, by his relentlessness and drive. I was moved by his heart, his dreams and the relationship he formed with the people of Pakistan. One of the Pakistani men he admired the most was illiterate. The fact that Mortenson could understand that this man was wise even if he was illiterate was a breath of fresh air (even though the book is about schools and education!).

Inspired as I was I did not fully enjoy the reading of this book. I think that is fine, I don't know that it was intended for enjoyment, but that is not really what I mean. I guess I am much more of a relational person, than a factual one. I enjoy day to day feelings of people and sufferings and dreams. Facts are nice, but only on the side, not as my main meal. Three Cups of Tea is all about the facts, and when it is not about the facts it is about Mortenson's life and not ever about the lives of the Pakistanis. I do not complain though, because I actually understand why it is that way: It is a NON-FICTION book. And in order to call it non-fiction the author had to go by the facts and off of what Mortenson said and remembered and not on character development of the Pakistani people. I get it, I do....but somehow I feel like I am missing a chunk of the story anyway. Silly me.

Overall I do recommend it, not for enjoyment so much as to be inspired and to know the difference that one person (with a super-crazy drive) can do to change the world.
Here are some pictures that are included in the book, dreams that Mortenson made true:

Some of the organisations mentioned in the book for helping fund this project:

Pennies for Peace
Greg Mortenson's website
Central Asia Institute (CAI) The Organisation funding Mortenson's Projects



Three Cups of Tea also reviewed by:
justareadingfool
Reading and Writing about it


Have you read it?? Give me your link.

booking through thursday: favourite male character?

Q:You should have seen this one coming … Who is your favorite Male lead character? And why?

A:Oh, um wow. I am having just as much trouble with this one as with the last one....or maybe I'm not. I need to think it over for a second.

Several male characters come to mind, I honestly don't have just one...

- Hazel (the leader rabbit) in Watership Down by Richard Adams. He is the perfect leader for the group and learns and grows, while admitting when he is wrong. He takes suggestions from others, but makes decisions even when not the popular choice when he finds it necessary. He is my furry hero!


-Leo Gursky in The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. I have never read an elderly male character such as this one, and been so able to relate to his voice. I won't ruin the book for anyone who has not read it, so I'll just say that in many opportunities throughout his life where he could turn bitter and un-trusting he continues on loving the whole way thought. He is my human hero!



PS If you haven't read either of these books you are completely missing out!!

Karma and Other Stories by Rishi Reddi

Title:Karma and Other Stories
Author: Rishi Reddi
Yearly Count: 3
Date Completed: 10th January, 2008
Rated: 4/5

This is a book of short stories that I loved. It is about slightly interlocking stories about new beginnings, transitions, cultures clashing and living life.
I loved most of the stories, and really liked the rest. Every time one was over I was wanting to know more about the characters! This is a great book. Reminds me of Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, which won the Pulitzer Prize if you have not read that one I highly recommend that one too.