Books Like The Kite Runner

If you finished The Kite Runner and want more of the same, start here. A friendship, a betrayal, and a lifetime spent trying to make it right, against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan.

What tends to stick with readers is its emotional, heartbreaking and unforgettable feel. One of those books that will genuinely wreck you, in a good way. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. The Kite Runner is a medium, fast-paced read (reading level: easy to follow), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

The book you loved

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini

7 books you might enjoy

1.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini
Like The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns is emotional. Both carry the #heartbreaking and #book-club tags.
Medium · Fast pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like A Thousand Splendid Suns
2.
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Like The Kite Runner, The Book Thief is emotional. Expect a bigger commitment than The Kite Runner.
Long · Easy pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like The Book Thief
3.
Half of a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
If it was the emotional side of The Kite Runner you loved, Half of a Yellow Sun delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. Expect a bigger commitment than The Kite Runner.
Long · Slow pace · Moderate
Explore this book →Books like Half of a Yellow Sun
4.
Me Before You
Jojo Moyes
Like The Kite Runner, Me Before You is emotional. Both carry the #book-club tag. It's an easier read than The Kite Runner.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Me Before You
5.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird shares The Kite Runner's emotional appeal. Both carry the #book-club tag. The pace is easier than The Kite Runner's.
Medium · Easy pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like To Kill a Mockingbird
6.
Never Let Me Go
Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go shares The Kite Runner's emotional appeal. Both carry the #book-club tag. The pace is slower than The Kite Runner's.
Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like Never Let Me Go
7.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Delia Owens
If it was the emotional side of The Kite Runner you loved, Where the Crawdads Sing delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. It's an easier read than The Kite Runner.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Where the Crawdads Sing