Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
This topic is about
The Book Thief
Previous BRs - Authors; U - Z
>
Zusak Markus - The Book Thief ("Informal Buddy Read") revisit - Start Date Sept 20 2013; Jan 2017
Mod
1) How do you like the author's writing style?
2) Who was your favorite character and why?
3) Did you have any favorite quotes?
4) What struck you the most about the book?
5) Was there anything that surprised you, that you hadn't expected?
6) What did you think of the ending? Was there anything that you wish had been wrapped up better?
7) What will you rate the book?
8) Have you read anything else by the author? If not will you do so in the future? In you have, which books and would you recommend them?
*Be prepared for spoilers*
Mod
That was another reason I wanted to read it soon!
I'm not sure I'll have the time to join in on this but I'm going to try.
I saw the preview for this movie today! It looks good. I'd love to read this book before the movie comes out, but I'm not sure I'll have time to get to it. I'll certainly join the conversation if I can manage to fit it in. :)
I'm in, I have had this book on my TBR for some time, and this buddy read is a great motivation to read it :)
Will be joining for this buddy read!
Welcome everyone! I'm so excited!
I was planning on reading this but I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to get my hands on the book.
It sounds like no one has actually started this yet - snap here! I keep seeing it popping up all over GR & the title & synopsis have hooked me! I'm also not sure how long it will take me as I'm a slow reader & have just started Oliver Twist as a September read in another group. I would love to do this as a side/buddy read though, if that's ok? If no one else has started yet, could we agree on no spoilers until we''re under way maybe? Only a suggestion :) xx
message 12:
by
Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Sep 07, 2013 04:11PM)
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Mod
This is an "informal" budy read which means that everyone can read at thier own pace. The "start" date for this one is the 20th September so you probably won't see much discussion on it before then.
For these types of buddy reads people usually mark the section they are talking about before writing comments, so that way if you are not up to that bit, you can not read the comment until later :)
Enjoy!
Thanks again! Spoilers are just too awful aren't they! Looking forward to it, hopefully Oliver will be finished with me by then! I know it's a bit crazy, but does anyone feel like they're 'cheating' on their current book if they start reading another book at the same time! I think I have an odd version of reading OCD, I just never feel right if I'm reading more than one book at a time!
Mod
It's rare that I have even 2 on the go, I can't cope! ;)
I'm like Karen - I usually have 2 or 3 I read at the same time. :)
I'm not sure if I'll be able to join, since my September is a bit crowded, but this one is on my "some day" list for AGES, so I'll try :)
Mod
I just can't say no... *sigh*
So many book, so little reading time :)
Hey Mod,What do I need to do to get a cupcake for Team Cerulean when we do this buddy read?
And when is the BR date?
Mod
What do I need to do to get a cupcake for Team Cerulean when we do this buddy read?
Tower Team Reading Challenge players earn a cupcake if they post a set of DQs, not just answer them.
Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "And when is the BR date?"
Looks like September 20th, per the top of the thread.
Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges (All the Mods) wrote: "Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "Hey Mod,What do I need to do to get a cupcake for Team Cerulean when we do this buddy read?
Tower Team Reading Challenge players earn a cupcake if they post a se..."
Sorry I didn't notice the date. Thanks.
I'll be joining the BR too - definitely need to get this book off my TBR!
Me too. But I have had to forego other BR and BOTM reads for this month. But I am doing this one.
Mod
Why did you decide to read this book? Is it what you expected?
What do you think of the author's choice of narrator?
Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges (All the Mods) wrote: "Have you started the book yet?
Why did you decide to read this book? Is it what you expected?
What do you think of the author's choice of narrator?"
1) I had started the audiobook last month and kept stopping as I wasn't really paying attention. But I am determined to read it as it has gotten a lot of praise from GR friends. I will begin anew this weekend.
2) I wanted to flex my fiction wings as I tend to be a romance gal. So I am trying to diversify my reading portfolio :D
3) Death with a male's voice...not sure yet. I will have to come back to this question.
I haven't started yet, but I'm almost ready! Another few days should see Master Twist put to bed, and then I'll begin (and will answer those questions!). I've got 2 books on the go at the moment, I normally can't read more than one at a time, I definitely can't cope with 3 at a time! I'm glad I gave it a whirl though, I'm actually enjoying Catch 22 better in shorter chunks!
Was finally able to get my hands on a copy of the book today. Going to try to start reading it tonight or tomorrow,
I have my copy, but still finishing my other reads, so I will be able to start this book at the beginning of the next week.
Mod
I hope you enjoy the book! I have gotten out of my comfort zone a bit recently too and found some great books
@ All - Sounds like everyone will be starting at about the same time, but if you can clearly state the section of the book you are referring to before commenting that will help everyone I think. Happy reading!
Hi, I am joining this one. Just wanted to know whether there is any schedule :)
Mod
Thanks for letting me know :)
I'm in 37% and I'm gripped by the story. I've decided to read this book due to discussions and recommendations from Goodreads friends and members of the groups I'm in. I'm not a huge fan of II WW literature (I'm from Poland and it is still a painful part of our national history), but I must admit that I'm hooked mainly because of the choice of a narrator. (view spoiler)
I have only just started, already the premise seems different, and intriguing. Hopefully I can get some reading done tonight.Anima - I have only started to learn more about WWII and Poland. Wow what your country has been through. It is really painful and scary and I am sure still very raw. I am with a black man and it has opened me up to a lot of the wounds that are still left over from slavery and segregation in my own country.
Mod
I'm glad you're hooked on the book so far. Such a good point about the narrator and taking the weight of the events
Sorry for the late start on my end. I read through the prologue over the weekend and am diving in full force today. The narration style is going to take some getting used to, but my friend who recommended it said to stick with it for at least 150 pages. How are you guys liking the narration?
I've finished today, and I must say that I'm familiar with the books and films of similar topic, but the writing style and narration are unique, both in their mastery and being paradoxally ideal to enhance emotional impact of the story.I also needed some time to get used to it, but my patience was greatly rewarded.
That's what I keep hearing, Anima, so I'll forge ahead. I'm glad you liked it!
I'm very interested in your opinion on that book, Logan, keep posted your observations while reading, I will gladly compare with mine :)
I have also finished this one and I have a few discussion questions...1) How do you feel after this book?
2) Why do you think Death was so fascinated by Liesel?
3) Did any of you listen to it as opposed to reading it...what did you think of the narration (the voice of death, if you will)
4) Do you think it was realistic that Liesl didn't "slip" and mention the man in her basement?
5) What did you think about Max & liesel's connection?
6) Was I the only one who thought Rudy and Liesel would end up together and married?
Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges (All the Mods) wrote: " Questions to consider as you read the book. You can use these as a basis for your discussion1) How do you like the author's writing style?
It felt like I was listening to the movie. The narration even had some musical chime thing going on. Also, the narrator had a whimsical feel to his voice, like he was in on a joke
2) Who was your favorite character and why?
Liesel of course...though I felt for Max a lot
3) Did you have any favorite quotes?
hmmm, gotta think about that one
4) What struck you the most about the book?
Liesel's inner fortitude and strengh. I like when she went off on the Mayor's wife. She basically told her to get off her pity potty when everyone else's life was crappy too
5) Was there anything that surprised you, that you hadn't expected?
I have to admit that I didnt expect her to "live to be an old woman" nor did I expect to see Max again.
6) What did you think of the ending? Was there anything that you wish had been wrapped up better?
More about Max
7) What will you rate the book?
I am torn. I think I will give a ★★★★, but I don't ever want to read this again.
8) Have you read anything else by the author? If not will you do so in the future? In you have, which books and would you recommend them?
Never read this author before. He's a good writer. It will depend on the book and subject matter if I were to pick up a book from him again
Finished it in a marathon session today. I'm still not sure my exact feelings on this one, but I echo the sentiment that I don't want to read it again. I got caught up in the emotional ending, especially with Max in the street, but overall the story was hard for me to really connect with. Death made an interesting narrator, and I think Anima's right in that his humor and perspective allows us to see the story in a unique way. I do think at times it was too cold for me, and I hated how he kept giving away what was going to happen. I thought the story really dragged in the middle.
I loved Liesel and Hans. They were my favorite characters, with Rudy a close third. And Max, too. So many wonderful characters!
I was glad that Max lived - I was not expecting that. I do wish we'd learned more of his story after the war.
I resisted this book for a long time, and even though I thought it was well written and overall a good, important book...I'm not so sure I can say I'm glad I read it.
Movie comes out in November - just watched the preview last night.
Thinking of starting this tomorrow. Anyone in this thread still reading / about to read?
Yeah Nicole. Welcome. Yes I am here.
Fantastic! Whereabouts are you up to (what page am I aiming to catch up to?)
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book Thief (other topics)I Am the Messenger (other topics)
Rebecca (other topics)
The Cuckoo's Calling (other topics)
Once (other topics)
More...
This thread is to discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
Be prepared for Spoilers!
What is a buddy read?
About this buddy read
A “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book
Synopsis:
The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who 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.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time
Note: This book was BOM in December 2010 without discussion questions. The discussion is here. There are spoilers!