Tuesday, April 5, 2011

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

There is an interesting story as to how I came to read THE BOOK THIEF and I am going to share it now.  I had just been asked by a good friend to join a book club.  I was both excited to be part of a book club but nervous and a bit anxious at the same time.  Lots of questions went through my mind: would I like the books they picked, would I like the ladies that were in the club, would I be able to finish the book in time to discuss it.  You name it and I was worried about it.  So there I am at the first meeting.  We met at B&N and we were  seeing Jess Riley author of DRIVING SIDEWAYS (which I review on here very soon) and I was pumped.  I love meeting authors, getting to hear the root of where the story came from, getting all the behind the scenes information and getting my book signed (I love collecting signed copies of books).   So after Jess was done talking about her book the group asked her what we should read and she said THE BOOK THIEF.  I was pretty bummed.  Here is was only the second booked picked since I joined and I just knew that I would not like it.  I sadly went with all the others and bought the book.  I got home and told my hubby about what happened.  I said I am going to not like this book, this is not a good start to being part of book club ect.  Let's just say I was pretty negative about the book.  
Then I read it...I LOVED this book.  I thought it was both emotional and historical at the same time.  It is about the holocaust, so DO NOT expect a happy outcome.  But it gave faces and experiences to that time in our history.  It is narrated by Death, which I thought was mind provoking.  I think that this is a book that you will either love or hate.  Our book club was split down the middle.   I still think about aspects of the book that moved me in ways other books don't.  I found myself rooting for the underdog and wishing I could change the course of history.  I was crying so hard at the end I could barely see to do the reading.  You may ask why should I read this if it is both sad and tragic.  My answer is,  after you read it you will know the answer.
 It is not something I would have chosen myself.  It speaks volumes to why reading this blog or being part of book club can broaden your horizons as to what you are willing to read.  I am happy to report that over 2 years later I am still part if that same book club.  I love those girls, many who are followers of my blog.  Thank you ladies.  Book Club is my favorite day of the month.  I would hope you all can find that sense of belonging here.   Thanks again to the ladies of TARIAS book club and my friends following this blog.  Means a lot to me.
-Emily

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.

The Book Thief

1 comment:

  1. I'm a little late to the game, since The Book Thief has been out for a number of years. Wow, this book was moving! It made me think, it made me feel. It made me more mindful of strangers in need. Powerful angle with having Death as the narrator.

    ReplyDelete

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Emily, AKA Mrs. Mommy Booknerd

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