The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Here is a small fact; you are going to die.

1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall. It’s a small story, about: a girl, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.

And another thing you should know; Death visits the Book Thief three times.

My more personal reasons for recommending this book is that it made me use book marks instead of just folding the edge of the page. It made me recognize the immense importance of books and of their true value. How powerful they can be. Markus Zusak is also a brilliant writer, the narrator for this book is Death itself and I was very sceptical about the idea at first but he pulls it off magnificently. 

In the beginning of the book, Death tells you the ending, because he thinks that it is unimportant. It’s the journey there that’s the point. And I tend to agree with him. I beg of you to read it, Markus Zusak is a very talented writer and the story itself is touching and humorous and very, very serious.