Khaled Hosseini's most important books

Khaled Hosseini began writing his first novel, The Kite Runner, in March of 2001. In 2003, The Kite Runner was published and has since become an international bestseller, published in 38 countries. In 2006 he was named a goodwill envoy to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. His second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns was published in May of 2007.

He recently told Newsweek about his five most important books.

One book on the list:

Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings by Abolqasem Ferdowsi. This 11th-century epic is the jewel of Persian literature.

Read about all five titles on Hosseini's list.

--Marshal Zeringue