The Book Thief in Pop Sugar's Annual Ultimate Reading Challenge

Jan 01, 2014 Ms. Jared rated it it was amazing

I finished this one on the train to work this morning, bawling like a baby. It was very well written and emotionally as well as intellectually engaging. A cast of quirky, interesting characters and a thoughtful, compassionate grim reader/narrator. Very visual language as well. I could really picture the people and the places as the story unfolded.

I also appreciated that the story was told from the perspective of an average German community during WWII rather than a Jewish community because it he ...more

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Apr 06, 2009 Rae rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-childrens

I really enjoyed this quirky historical novel set in WW2 Germany. Zusak does a superb job of letting the reader know what it might have been like to be an ordinary German citizen living in a close-knit neighborhood during the War. Some of his characters are patriotic Nazis, others are more politically lukewarm, and still others are persecuted by Hitler's soldiers who carry out his policies.

The narrative is Death. I was prepared to dislike him, but actually felt sympathetic for him at times. I lo ...more

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Feb 19, 2014 Courtney rated it it was amazing

I will admit that I was not initially sold on the book. I read the first little bit and found the soul reaper/death a bit gimmicky as the narrator. This is why I always keep reading. This book was wonderful. It was such a beautifully told story and the ending was so hauntingly sad (and not a spoiler as the narrator alludes to the ending all the way through the book and also, it's a book about Nazi Germany - it's not going to have a happy freaking ending).

Definitely a recommended read. ...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Lauren rated it really liked it

Great story, that touches the heartstrings several times. I believe that this is a young adult book, which can explain why it was easy to get through in a week.

Several comments on the book have categorized it as "life changing". It was a great book, but I didn't find it to be life changing. ...more

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Nov 08, 2007 Miquela rated it it was amazing

I love this book. You will find it in the teen section - weird but don't let that deter you. Death is the narrator. It is set in Europe during WWII and tells the story of a young girl and her friendship with a Jewish refugee her foster family is hiding. And so much more - it has been a few months since I read it but I passed it on to friends and recommend it to everyone. ...more

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Jun 19, 2008 Mandy rated it liked it

Shelves: 2008-reads

Not my favorite... but I can see that a LOT of people would really like this book. I just had a hard time getting past the story being told by deaths point of view. It was rather sad, emotional and touching. It is worth a shot. I know a lot of people who really enjoyed this book

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Jan 26, 2010 Wendy E. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya

I listened to this. The narrator was wonderful. I hate stuff about WWII. I really liked this book. The story is staggering. I couldn't put it down. I will recommend it and Zusak's other book, I Am the Messenger (also AMAZING), to many others. ...more

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Oct 09, 2013 Gabrielle S rated it it was amazing

I found this slow going in the beginning but then I saw the movie and I wanted to finish the book which I got back into. This is a remarkable book although I really do see why it is not for everyone.

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Aug 08, 2008 Melissa rated it liked it

I guess I never thought about what World War II was like for ordinary Germans and this was exactly that. It made me cry but I don't think it will keep me up nights. ...more

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