Three Cups of Tea

If you haven't read this book yet, stop whatever you're doing, call your library and get on the wait list for it. Or better yet, just buy it.

Fantastic, is one word to describe it. Inspirational, fascinating, compelling, humbling, are a few other words that work as well. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but this is one of the most amazing true stories I've ever read or heard of. I don't want to spoil the whole book, so I won't, but I think Greg Mortensen's wife must be absolutely amazing to support his tireless efforts to improve the lives of so many people in such a dangerous part of the world.

Greg Mortensen unequivocally demonstrates the value of humanitarian efforts in the Islamic world, despite the backlash from some small-minded Americans who don't think people in those countries are worth our attention at all. If you'd like to discover how good works have changed the hearts, minds, and future of a people, read this book. If more of us could love and help others despite religious, political, and cultural differences, the pain and suffering of this world would be greatly diminished and perhaps the ugliness of war would become a mere memory.

However, it's not a book to read when you're tired. David Oliver Renin writes beautiful, but complex sentences that slip through tired brains without leaving their meaning behind until the second try. It's a great read though - absolutely worth every minute of reading time - unless you're already sleepy. If so, you're better off sleeping and picking it up to read when you're fresh.