The Book Thief

The Book Thief is a 2005 novel written by Markus Zusak. The story follows Death, who observes the titular Book Thief, a girl named Liesel Meminger living with foster parents in Germany during The Holocaust. Her father makes it his mission to protect a Jewish man named Max, who teaches her the power of reading and language.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) Incredibly interesting writing style by Markus Zusak, who uses a lot of poetic style as well as putting in some notes from Death that translate some words or offer bits of foreshadowing that helps build up suspense as well as drama.
 * 2) Death is a very interesting narrator, showing how he's finding his compassion for humanity once again despite always being forced to take the lives of the deceased. It shows Death as a much more sympathetic character, doing this because it's literally his job and not out of any sort of sadism. In fact, he's quite charitable and kind, unlike what the typical perception of Death is.
 * 3) Many very likeable and relatable characters.
 * 4) * Liesel, despite being raised up in a country controlled by Nazi's, is able to see through their hypocrisy and evil. She has a great relationship with Max and a respect for all walks of life despite being told to hate them.
 * 5) * Rudy is the same way, even worshipping Jessie Owens and having disdain towards Hitler for his abject racism shown at the Olympics.
 * 6) * Hans is a hardworking and generous man who helps others without asking for anything in return. He also teaches Liesel how to read, and teaches himself how to read better in the process.
 * 7) * Rosa, his wife, is likewise hardworking and generous despite being loud-mouthed.
 * 8) * The Mayor's wife allows Liesel to read through their library secretly, and also steal some books, while she delivers their ironed laundry.
 * 9) * Max also teaches Liesel how to read and how to see the world in a better perspective despite all the evil going on. He even makes her a book he wrote out of a whited-out Mein Kampf (that he was forced to carry to hide the fact that he's Jewish) called The Wordshakers.
 * 10) A very interesting concept where Liesel steals books that the Nazi's tried to destroy, one particular example being at a book-burning where she takes one from all the ashes that survived.
 * 11) Excellent and very realistic depiction of the lesser known civilian life in Nazi Germany, choosing to focus almost entirely on that aspect rather than the war itself.
 * 12) Despite being very long, the book is never boring at any point, and it's never confusing either, even if you've put off reading it for a while. Not to mention that the descriptions in it are very vivid and detailed, making you feel like you're actually there.
 * 13) Lots of very interesting and memorable lines, which is mainly from death and his little side-notes.
 * 14) Many incredible themes that are explored very well throughout the book, like reading, mortality, and above all, love.
 * 15) An incredibly satisfying and heartwarming ending that makes you glad to have read the book in it's entirety. It helps to reinforce the powerful message that love truly conquers all, even in times of hatred or war.