Book 12: The Book Thief

And then, one afternoon, you put a book down and announce (to no one at all): "Book of the Year!" It's that moment when the utter euphoria of a title just bursts forth and you want to buy 100 copies and just hand them out all over town.

And, oh yea, the narrator is Death.

The Book Thief is a wonder. Written by Markus Zusak, who writes Young Adult novels, this fabulous book is usually found in the YA section of most bookstores. It doesn't belong there sitting close to the floor (the author's last name begins with a "Z" and means that it is all the way at the end); frankly, I think it belongs in those big-ass displays in the front of stores in the "Best of 2006" section.

The work is extraordinary, the writing is superb, the tone is wry, funny, sad, and magical all in one breath. And the narrator is Death. I've said it twice, but he's such a wonderfully drawn figure, he stays with you, well, forever. Don't laugh.

I give many thanks to my vacation-pal Marta for the recommendation.

I highly recommend it! Go! Buy it!

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375831002/sr=1-1/qid=1167105926/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1976670-1036856?ie=UTF8&s=books