Death himself narrates the World War II-era story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken, at age nine, to live in Molching, Germany, with a foster family in a working-class neighborhood of tough kids, acid-tongued mothers, and loving fathers who earn their living by the work of their hands. The child arrives having just stolen her first book–although she has not yet learned how to read–and her foster father uses it, The Gravediggers Handbook, to lull her to sleep when shes roused by regular nightmares about her younger brother's death.

Across the ensuing years of the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Liesel collects more stolen books as well as a peculiar set of friends: the boy Rudy, the Jewish refugee Max, the mayors reclusive wife (who has a whole library from which she allows Liesel to steal), and especially her foster parents. Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesels story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative.

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I have to admit at first I wasn't sure I like the story. The narrator is certainly unusual, took me a few pages to figure his identity. The writing style is a bit different too. However, the characters grow on me and towards the end they become friends you care about, and you truly wish that everybody will survive safely through the war though deep down you get a feeling that's not likely to happen - not in real life, nor in stories.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

There is a copy of the same book in the box already but I swapped it with my copy so both books get to travel.

Picked from indygo88's book box. Looks like a good one! This one is on my list to read! Thanks!

I have had this on my books to read since it came out. I liked the title - being a librarian. Needless to say I was taken aback with the topic of the book. I never read this journal or abything about the book until I started reading it this weekend. It was so intriguing, I had a hard time putting it down. Not what I expected, but a very well written and interesting book and perspective.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending off in my tradebook fiction bookbox.

Taking out of batty's trade paperback bookbox - thank you!

This is one of the best books I have read this year so far. For one, I have always been interested in stories relating to the Holocaust (fiction or non-fiction) and this one was unique in approach. I thought Death did a good job as a narrator ... although he had a fatalistic view (of course, its his job after all), he was not heartless. It took a little getting used to him being around so much but during that time his presence was much felt. And although I saw the ending coming, it still made me cry - Death tends to have that effect on a lot of us. I did like the book angle too - creative and original storytelling not too far from fact. Thanks for sharing this book!

Taking this to the April Mid-South Bookcrossing Meet-up :)

Caught at the Midsouth Bookcrossing meetup yesterday. Our Bookcrossing group has started reading a book each month to discuss at the meetup (in addition to discussing all the other books we have read and/or brought to the meetup). I missed the meetup the month this book was the focus, and I knew I wouldn't be able to get to the meetup that month, so I didn't read the book. From discussion at our meetup yesterday, though, I feel I really missed something not reading this book. TBR shelf!

Well, I'm moving to a much smaller dwelling and must downsize my books. There just isn't enough time or space to read all the books on my TBR shelves (hundreds). Must release this one. Bye, bye, nice book. I'll have to meet up with your cousin later on my Kindle. :(

Left it on a table inside. Sorry, Azuki, didn't mean to keep it that long. It really wasn't playing dead, it was just resting. This book is roaming again. Woof!