It might be a bit difficult until I'm situated in Florida, but I am going to try to read a book a week. Each time I start a new book I'll post on it with a back-of-the-book plot description, a rating out of five stars (1 = Don't read it, 2= It was OK, 3= Good, 4= Great!, 5= Go buy it. NOW.) There might be a lot of 4s and 5s, because it's rare that I hate a book (but I did hate "Heart of Darkness", sorry Conrad fans.) I'll also put why I chose that rating, and also the book is next on my list.
Before that begins though, since I'm only half way through my current read, I might as well write about one of my favorite books of all time: "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak.
Although this book is listed under children's fiction, I do not feel it is a book for only that age group. Anyone of any age would enjoy it, and it would probably be most appreciated by a slightly older crowd given many of the serious themes it addresses.
"The Book Thief" is set in Germany in 1939. It is about a young girl named Liesel, who lives with foster parents near Munich. As she learns to cope with a pre-war Germany, Liesel finds her escape where many of us do - through books. And because many times she gets these books by chance - in a graveyard, from a Nazi book burning and a mysterious neighbor - she calls herself the book thief. Much of the book centers around Liesel's childhood in Nazi Germany, the close and unlikely friendships she develops (one with a Jewish man) and her escape through reading.
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
I loved this book from the first page to the last. It's not a happy tale, though I'll try not to give anything away, but it is inspiring. I loved the character of Liesel, her acceptance, curiosity and strength. Zusak is a master at his craft, and writes in beautiful prose. I found myself keeping a notebook by my side just to jot down memorable quotes. But the most fascinating part about the novel is the narrator, and his name is Death. Yes, Death is the narrator, and he does a darn good job. However, this is a more merciful death than one would imagine from a story about Nazi Germany. He does not enjoy his job, but finds Liesel fascinating, for he has never encountered someone so much -- without taking from them their own life. This book made me laugh, smile to myself and cry quite a bit (have tissues nearby). I've already read it twice, but I think it may be the one book I'll read over and over again.
(It's also going to be made into a movie set to be released in 2010, which is terrifying because the book is better 99% of the time.)
Up next: "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card
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