Just finished The Kite Runner and wow... where do I even begin? This book wrecked me in the best possible way.

The relationship between Amir and Hassan had me tearing up multiple times. That scene with the kite tournament? My heart was pounding so hard I had to put the book down for a minute.

What I love most is how real all the characters feel. Nobody's perfect - they make terrible mistakes, they grow, they regret. Amir's journey from cowardice to redemption had me cheering by the end.

The writing is so vivid I could practically smell the Kabul streets and feel the California sun during their immigrant years. That scene where Baba stands up to the Russian soldier? Chills.

Only complaint: some plot twists felt a bit too convenient. But honestly, I was too emotionally invested to care. Finished it in 3 days because I couldn't stop reading.

Pro tip: Don't read the last 100 pages in public unless you're okay with crying in front of strangers. That ending destroyed me (in a good way).