"The Book Thief"

stole my heart.

I rarely buy a book. I don't have the money to spend on all the books I want to read and that's what libraries are for, right? Also, there aren't many books that I feel like I just have to have. I enjoy reading most books once and have no intention of reading them again. (The good news, however, is that my memory is so crummy, I can usually read a book several times and enjoy it each time). Now and then, a book stands out among the rest and insists that I possess it ("Peace Like A River" or "The Power Of One" to name a couple). It is certain that "The Book Thief" will join them, triumph over them. Even if I never read it again, I want to see it there on the bookshelf so that I can remember. I don't ever want to forget Liesel or Rudy or Max. Hans or Rosa or the mayor's wife. It was that kind of book.

To say that Markus Zusak's writing style in this novel is exquisite and unique doesn't really do it justice---there were passages that made me murmur aloud in utter satisfaction. To say that this story was devastating oversimplifies matters. To say that it evoked emotions like few books have done is a bit of an understatement. I'll describe what it's about by just saying this: Nazi Germany in the late 30's. Oh, the atrocities to humanity; the resilience of the human spirit.

Thanks, Markus Zusak, for writing this story. Thanks, Lisa, for recommending it. I can't think of anyone who shouldn't read it.

Right away.