The Book Thief
I’ve never really done a review, and I don’t intend for this to be a review. I just want to express my praise and admiration for this novel by Markus Zusak. I just want to do a quick blog entry telling all of you, if you already haven’t, to go read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
The book is beautiful, emotional, poignant and inspiring. After reading it for the second time, I can honestly say it is my favorite book, by far. A book has never brought me to tears (Harry Potter brought me incredibly close, and probably would now), but The Book Thief turned me into a sobbing, gasping mess by the time I finished reading.
This book has also made me realize that I want to evoke feeling from people. I want people to see my works/performances and feel something. Anything. Preferably not animosity and disappointment, though. I’d also like to inspire people with my work. That would be nice. I would be happy with any or all of three dream jobs, I think: acting, writing or comedy. Comedy is less “artistic,” of course, but making people laugh is, in my opinion, a very good thing. It is, after all, the best medicine.
Enough of my rambling, though. Go read The Book Thief! I also recommend I Am The Messenger (or The Messenger) by Markus Zusak. Don’t say I never gave you good advice.
Hello, my name's Josh and I might be a hipster (you decide!). I've been blogging and designing in some form for the past eight or so years and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it (once again, you decide!). I love indie music, coming of age stories, sarcasm, video games, and aesthetics. At the moment I'm working part-time and going to college with hopes of being a web designer. 
Posted by Amanda — Tuesday, September 14th 2010
It was a good book, and had me crying at the end too. My husband thought I was being silly … but I did cry at the end of the 6th book in Harry Potter, so take this as you may. Very well written. And who wouldn’t want to change someones life, or move them with something they’ve done? I think that’s a good goal to have. :)
Posted by Nellie — Tuesday, September 14th 2010
I downloaded the Kobo eReader for my iPod specifically to purchase this book. It was there (two copies with different covers even!) the day before I had the money to purchase it, but when pay day came, it had disappeared from the catalogue.
All the other electronic copies I can find online are at least $5 more expensive than it was on Kobo.
And getting a book that is as popular as The Book Thief from the library is like mission impossible.
*sulks*
Posted by Aisling — Tuesday, September 14th 2010
I keep meaning to buy this book, but I never have. And now, I can’t afford it! Ah well. I’ll get around to it eventually, hopefully!
Posted by Clem — Tuesday, September 14th 2010
It is my favourite book, too. No book has ever made me cry like that. Charlotte’s Web made me cry when I was around 8, but I wasn’t so completely devasted by it.
I blogged about it after I first read it too. I never ever blog about books, but I just wanted to share it with everyone.
Posted by Shaun — Wednesday, September 15th 2010
It was my summer reading book my senior year in high school, and I have to say, it was one of the least painful summer reading books I’ve ever had to read. I’ve always had a strange fascination with the events of the Holocaust and this is one of the best readings I’ve done of it. (After Night of course! :P)
Posted by Josh — Wednesday, September 15th 2010
@Nellie: It is worth the extra $5, woman! Or it is worth buying the paperback version, which was only 11.99USD when I bought it!
@Aisling: NO EXCUSES! READ IT! You will cry a lot, like me!
@Clem: Oh my gosh, just…ugh, I was crying my eyes out. I had to stop reading for a bit because the tears were obstructing by vision and I didn’t want to get the pages all wet.
Posted by Crissy — Wednesday, September 15th 2010
My favorite book changes often, so I can’t say it’s my favorite book, but it definitely comes close. I was told I would cry, so I braced myself, but I was bigger mess than I expected. Like you, I was gasping and sobbing and wiping away tears and trying to stop crying only to think about it and start again.
We were told to read The Book Thief for a summer reading assignment, and I’ve never been this satisfied with a summer reading book before. I actually reread it this year and found that it produced the same reaction. It is wonderful, emotional and brilliantly written.
You give very good advice :D
Posted by Rybacki — Wednesday, September 15th 2010
Dude, I really need to read that again.
Posted by Josh — Thursday, September 16th 2010
I still have yours, so I’ll give that to you the next time we hang out.