The Book Thief

I rushed to finish The Book Thief by Markus Zusak last night not because I wanted to rush, but because the book was due today and had other people waiting for it. I love my library and try to be a good customer and get things back on time.

I can't even begin to express how much I loved this book. Originally released in Australia (the author's home) as an adult book, it was later released in the U.S. and Europe as Young Adult fiction. I'd recommend it for anyone over 12 and will certainly be seeking out a used copy for my library at home.

I've briefly outlined the plot in my previous post, so I won't repeat myself, but I urge anyone interested in this time period to get this book. It is well worth the read.

Last weekend was also our Friends of the Sonoma County Library semi-annual book sale, so I stopped by on Sunday for half-price day. I was able to pick up quite a few Pulitzer winners for my project and a few books for my hubby. At fifty cents each, who can resist?

Sidetracked

I finished Song of Solomon and liked it very much except for the ending which I found a bit, well, I don't know, just weird.

I was supposed to go back to Mayflower, but I have a little something from the library that must be read and returned (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). That book would be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and I am hooked, hooked hooked.

Set in Germany before and during World War II, it is the story--narrated by Death--of Liesel Meminger, an orphan foster child, her foster parents Rosa and Hans and the hiding of a certain young Jewish man in the basement. This time period both fascinates and repels me for reasons that should be obvious, not the least of which is some ancestry that would have been considered "undesirable" had those ancestors not fled some 100 years prior.

Thanks to Juliann for the recommendation, it is a true winner and I'm trying really hard not to rush through it.

Booking Through Thursday

Once again Booking Through Thursday has provided us with a great meme on reading.

What was the last book you bought?

Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick

Name a book you have read MORE than once

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith opened my eyes when I was a young teen to the realities of the lives of the very poor and was probably the beginning of my life as a Democrat.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. Should be required reading for everyone.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

Book reviews, recommendations of my friends, and books by authors I know and love.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Ficton.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Good writing can overcome a slow plot any day.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Tough question as I often love the characters in books I read. I do love Claire in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (those familiar will know that I love Jamie more....).

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, my banned book for 2008 and Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick, currently interrupted for banned book week.

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Lat book finished was The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, finished about 3 weeks ago.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Yes, and Mayflower may be another one.

Banned Books Week

Is happening now--September 27th to October 4th. Read about last year's account here.

Freedom of the press was an important topic in our home as I was growing up. My parents were both college graduates, Mom an English major and Dad a Journalism major who made a career in the newspaper business as reporter, editor and finally publisher of small-town papers now owned by the Gannett group. My parents were voracious readers and never without a book on their nightstands. Trips to the library were a frequent routine for us and even now, the smell of the library makes me happy and secure.

Growing up in the early days of television, I read to entertain myself, I read to escape, and my reading fueled daytime play. Our favorite dress-up games were playing "Laura and Mary" after Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. Even our teachers read to us during quiet time at school and the worst teacher I ever had (4th grade), read us some wonderful stories and helped encourage the love of reading. My love of reading continues to entertain me (in a time of a TV wasteland), and exposes me to ideas and cultures and places that enrich my life.

I've interrupted my current read Mayflower to enjoy Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. Last year I read Morrison's The Bluest Eye and I'm saving Beloved, her other "challenged" book for next year. She seems like a great choice to celebrate this annual event. She's a fabulous writer, her stories break my heart and keep me hooked.

Keep those pages turnin' friends,