the book thief by markus zusak

I stayed up way too late last night to finish this amazing book! If you love reading (as I do), have ever been intrigued by the power of words (for good, for evil, to change the direction of your personal history or the course of the world)...you will LOVE this book. Every character fascinated me.

The story is told from a very intersting POV...one which I won't spoil for you here. I think it's good to be reminded of periods of time in our world's history that have brought about immense suffering. It should remind us that we - as humans - are capable of inflicting this type of suffering on one another. That we must constantly look at ourselves, our country, other nations...to ensure that this type of suffering doesn't continue to repeat itself. That when we see it occur we must do all that we can to stop it. Even when it costs us something. Perhaps when it costs us everything.

Author's description of the book:

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.