November292012

(Source: undersouthernlightss)

the book thief that's what people QUEUE 

November272012
“Please believe me when I tell you that I picked up each soul that day as if it were newly born. I even kissed a few weary, poisoned cheeks. I listened to their last, gasping cries. Their vanishing words. I watched their love visions and freed them from their fear.” Markus Zusak (via ophidiophobic)

the book thief that's what people QUEUE 

April122012

I just finished I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

what-a-treacherous-thing:

And I absolutely loved it. It’s the kind of book that breaks your heart multiple times, but then subsequently fixes each break. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel the good kind of nauseous, because all this pain and beauty are hitting you where it hurts. It’s the kind of book that makes you dread, yet desperately want the last page. It’s the kind of book that changes you.

(Source: os-winner)

I am the Messenger Mark Zusak literature prose novels books new york times bestseller The Book Thief 

March112012
twenty4mixtapes: I will never not be emotional at these words.

twenty4mixtapes:

I will never not be emotional at these words.

the book thief 

February262012
fierceyaheroines: Liesel Meminger. The girl learns to read from books she stole from Nazi book burnings. That just transcends fierce into resident badass to the point where even Death thinks she’s awesome.

fierceyaheroines:

Liesel Meminger. The girl learns to read from books she stole from Nazi book burnings. That just transcends fierce into resident badass to the point where even Death thinks she’s awesome.

and liesel is certified bad-ass is one of those books that guts me the book thief markus zusak 

January292012
inevitablecitystar: Last night, I finally finished reading Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief. The book has been on my reading list for years and I’ve finally bought it last month and started reading it. I Am The Messenger was extremely good so I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed with this one. And I wasn’t.The entire book flowed so well as we look at Nazi Germany in the point of view of Death. Rarely, we ever see a story about WWII in Death’s perspective and it really gives an insight on his entire impression of the situation. We, as the reader, end up feeling sympathetic for not only the characters but also Death. We begin to understand that this war, these lifeless bodies and humans in general are beginning to tire him. That the entire situation was not only hard for humans but also Death. The idea of “words” is use so richly throughout the book and it is what keeps the main character and the reader going. Zusak’s way of using words is so raw that it compels the reader to not only keep going but they are also sink into the story. You become one with the people of Germany. Rarely, do I get so emotional when it comes to reading a book. Sure I feel for the character when I’m reading other books but this novel actually grabs you of everything you have and in the end, you only wish you were dreaming when the bombs goes off. Death does not have an easy job. As a recommendation, along with this book, you should also check out Zusak’s I Am The Messenger. I would say that it is much less depressing than this but if it comes down to which ones leaves you blown away by how powerful and emotional it was, I would go with The Book Thief. 

inevitablecitystar:

Last night, I finally finished reading Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief. The book has been on my reading list for years and I’ve finally bought it last month and started reading it. I Am The Messenger was extremely good so I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed with this one. And I wasn’t.

The entire book flowed so well as we look at Nazi Germany in the point of view of Death. Rarely, we ever see a story about WWII in Death’s perspective and it really gives an insight on his entire impression of the situation. We, as the reader, end up feeling sympathetic for not only the characters but also Death. We begin to understand that this war, these lifeless bodies and humans in general are beginning to tire him. That the entire situation was not only hard for humans but also Death. 

The idea of “words” is use so richly throughout the book and it is what keeps the main character and the reader going. Zusak’s way of using words is so raw that it compels the reader to not only keep going but they are also sink into the story. You become one with the people of Germany. Rarely, do I get so emotional when it comes to reading a book. Sure I feel for the character when I’m reading other books but this novel actually grabs you of everything you have and in the end, you only wish you were dreaming when the bombs goes off. Death does not have an easy job. 

As a recommendation, along with this book, you should also check out Zusak’s I Am The Messenger. I would say that it is much less depressing than this but if it comes down to which ones leaves you blown away by how powerful and emotional it was, I would go with The Book Thief. 

(Source: anberlins)

Markus Zusak The Book Thief 

January242012
sloarcdezmen: Book Review I Am The Messenger (A.K.A. The Messenger) by Markus Zusak The book is about Ed Kennedy, an ordinary man who wasn’t living his life until a series of cards gave him meaning. Forced to follow the Aces into people’s lives, each visit he makes creates a change in the life of people and (in the end) himself. The book is very Charlie-esque in a way, so nothing like Perks Of Being a Wallflower. This is really a great book. I chose it because I had previously read The Book Thief by the same author and loved it. The story moved me and made me feel tingly inside and made me forget my pessimistic life and remember how one Act of Random Kindness can make all the difference. I hated Audrey though. He should have kept Sophie or something.

sloarcdezmen:

Book Review

I Am The Messenger (A.K.A. The Messenger) by Markus Zusak

The book is about Ed Kennedy, an ordinary man who wasn’t living his life until a series of cards gave him meaning. Forced to follow the Aces into people’s lives, each visit he makes creates a change in the life of people and (in the end) himself.

The book is very Charlie-esque in a way, so nothing like Perks Of Being a Wallflower. This is really a great book. I chose it because I had previously read The Book Thief by the same author and loved it. The story moved me and made me feel tingly inside and made me forget my pessimistic life and remember how one Act of Random Kindness can make all the difference.

I hated Audrey though. He should have kept Sophie or something.

(Source: dezmeniacs)

blog personal blog Markus Zusak I am the messenger The Messenger The Book Thief australia book review charlie moving message Ace playing cards 

January192012
cinderellainrubbershoes: Death wants to tell you a story. Okay, so maybe Death from Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief says it amuses him how humans identify him with skeletons and scythes—how in truth he looks just like us—but I really can’t help it! :P The skeleton keychain I have seems to want to tell a story. lol

cinderellainrubbershoes:

Death wants to tell you a story. Okay, so maybe Death from Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief says it amuses him how humans identify him with skeletons and scythes—how in truth he looks just like us—but I really can’t help it! :P The skeleton keychain I have seems to want to tell a story. lol

Death Markus Zusak The Book Thief skeleton 

January182012
kosmiske: weeeeeeee

kosmiske:

weeeeeeee

(Source: bevsi)

the book thief art drawing animation 

January122012

Of Teacups and Tolstoj: Book Recommendation II~

longdeadstar:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Here is a small fact; you are going to die.

1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration…

Markus Zusak The Book Thief 

January82012

(Source: bevsi)

the book thief drawing art idk man 

December312011

(Source: atwq)

the book thief markus zusak 

December282011

Book Review: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

rotten-writing:

I’m not sure what I was expecting before I started reading, but it was definitely not this.

This book tore my heart out.

In retrospect, I probably should have read a synopsis, but I didn’t want to be tempted into reading the ending. So I walked into it blindly, and I was not disappointed.

The book is narrated by Death, which adds so much more to the story. Death has a lot to say, and is in the unique position to be completely honest. It’s a bystander, and since it’s everywhere—-thanks to World War II—-the plot moves quickly and fluidly.

This is what Death has to say about the story: 

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


The book gives things away, but instead of ruining the surprise, it manages to lure you further into the story, until you live through the moments with the protagonist, Leisel, or, as in some cases, with Hans Hubermann, or Max.

The story is set in a German town outside Munich. And though it’s told from the viewpoint of a German girl, it doesn’t downplay the horrors that Jewish people went through during Hitler’s reign. Hitler is, in fact, the only enemy. Death is an outcome, rather than a willing participant.

The story is told beautifully, and though Death’s little interruptions become more and more frequent as the story progresses, they add a certain clarity to the prose.

Death’s interruptions go something like this: 

THE BOOK THIEF—-LAST LINE

I have hated the words and 

I have loved them,

and I hope I have made them right.

and:

A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR

I am haunted by humans.


The end of the book, is perhaps, the most heart-wrenching. So much happens in 10 pages, and you emerge from the story with a better understanding of its themes: 

  • Guilt: Many of the characters experience guilt, either for putting someone else in danger, or for trying to live while others are dying.  
  • The power of words: this is perhaps the most obvious theme, since it’s the lesson Leisel learned most painfully. 


Things I liked: Everything, really, but especially using Death as the narrator.

Things I didn’t like: The interruptions weren’t always necessary. 

New Words: A lesson in German: 

  • Sau: pigs
  • Saumensch: serves to castigate or humiliate a female. 
  • Saukerl: for male
  • Aschloch: asshole (“That word, however, does not alternate between the sexes. It simply is.”)
  • Apfel: apple
  • Dummkopf: idiot
  • Warte: wait
  • Nachtrauern: regret
  • Schweigen: silence
  • Elend: misery
  • Gelegenheit: opportunity
  • Verzeihung: forgiveness
  • Zufriedenheit: happiness
  • Vielen Dank: many thanks 


Recommendation: Read this book. Yes, it’s sad, but that’s the point. Why read something, if it doesn’t make you feel anything?

Favorite quote: 

One thing I’ve noticed about the Germans: They seem very fond of pigs.


(Source: poetic-fallacy)

the book thief markus zusak review 

December112011
mayandoctober: A beautifully moving novel by Australian author Markus Zusak. We both loved the book, full of strong symbolism and wonderful language at every page. Something everyone should read. With so much insight and wonder on every page, we promise you it is a book you will never forget.

mayandoctober:

A beautifully moving novel by Australian author Markus Zusak. We both loved the book, full of strong symbolism and wonderful language at every page. Something everyone should read. With so much insight and wonder on every page, we promise you it is a book you will never forget.

(Source: hopefullymedicine)

The Book Thief Markus Zusak Beautiful Nazi Germany Love Death War Pain Loss Suffering Tenacity Beauty 

December92011
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak fan art by ~r05km

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

fan art by ~r05km

(via fyeahthebookthief)

the book thief markus zusak fan art liesel meminger 

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