“I remember reading 'The Grapes of Wrath' in high school in 1983. My family had immigrated to the U.S. three years before, and I had spent the better part of the first two years learning English. John Steinbeck's book was the first book I read in English where I had an 'Aha!' moment, namely in the famed turtle chapter.”

Afghan and American novelist, former physician, UNHCR goodwill ambassador

Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan and American novelist, former physician, and UNHCR goodwill ambassador. His debut novel, The Kite Runner, appeared in 2003 and became both a critical and commercial success. His later novels also draw on Afghanistan, with settings at least partly there and Afghan protagonists. Through this work, he has helped bring wider attention to Afghanistan’s people and culture.