For many Wichita residents, internationally-renown author Khaled Hosseini has made the world a smaller place with his epic tales about a country thousands of miles away.  

“It is important to me that my kids know their world doesn’t begin and end with their zip code,” Hosseini said. “We are all connected now.”

Hosseini , author of “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, is on a five-week book tour for his new book, “And the Mountains Echoed.” One of his stops included the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex last Wednesday.

The event was sponsored by Watermark Books and Café and Wichita State University. 

Hosseini grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan until he was 11 years old. When his family arrived in California, they knew no English and had little money. The oldest of six children, Hosseini learned English and went to medical school. 

After the success of his first book, The Kite Runner, Hosseini became a full-time writer, leaving his stethoscope behind for paper and pen. 

Hosseini’s books have sold 10 million copies in the United States and 38 million copies around the world so far. 

“Nobody in this book is what they appear to be at first impression,” Hosseini said about his newest book.

The book explores the depth that families can hurt one another and the solidarity between cultures when it comes to pain and loss. 

The book talk began with a video about Hosseini’s philanthropic mission in Afghanistan, The Khaled Hosseini Foundation. The Foundation provides materials to build a house for the third of the population in Afghanistan that were refugees and have returned home with nothing.  

Ted Ayres, vice president and general counsel for WSU, led the discussion with Hosseini on Wednesday night. 

“Not only was he extremely gracious and intelligent, but he made valid comments not only for book lovers but also political issues,” Ayres said. 

Victoria Tran said she felt a personal connection to Hosseini’s books.

“I think that his books allow us to see the other side of the world that we aren’t used to seeing and a lot of students in high school aren’t exposed to or aware of,” Tran said. 

Hosseini’s books have helped many people understand the Middle East. Hosseini said they have become a “catalyst for people to take action.” 

Ferenanda Quezada, a WSU junior, bought her ticket when she saw Wichita on Hosseini’s list of cities he was visiting on his tour. 

“These books are really harsh. It is not a Hollywood ending,” Quezada said. “(It) opened my eyes to women and what they really have to go through and little kids and things I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It makes me really grateful.”