I’ve been whining for months about wanting a good book to read; a book “that would grab me by the hairs of my heart.” Thanks to my very good friend, Elle, I finally got it. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak.

Official Synopsis That Doesn’t Do The Book Any Justice:

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

But it’s not the story that makes this novel ‘unforgettable,’ it’s the characters. They will move and inspire you. They will make you laugh. They will break your heart. After spending the past several days wrapped up in Mr. Zusak’s words, my own seem so cheap, and the only three I can think of are these: Read this book.