Once again, I’m late to the party.

I just finished reading a book from 2005, but it’s only been in my to-be-read pile since the beginning of this year.

It’s called The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and was an international bestseller—twenty years ago.

New releases aren’t my go-to for reading material.

I can’t build up enthusiasm for shiny new books.

Stories need to marinate in the world for a while.

They need to germinate in my head, too, as they sit in my TBR pile, patiently waiting.

I like older books because I feel like we shouldn’t relegate them to a corner where no one’s going
to bother with them anymore.

They’re like the senior citizens of the literary world.

They deserve attention—even if they’re decades old.

Older books, like older adults, gain wisdom over the years.

So, to The Book Thief.

The story follows Liesel Meminger, who is 11 at the start of the book and ages to about 14, which puts the novel in the older Middle Grade, possibly Young Adult, category.

The story is told in 2nd person from Death’s point of view.

Death is talking to you, the reader, asking you to uncover your eyes and look.

Have you ever read a book from Death’s POV?

It’s an incredible concept.

In The Book Thief, Death is a character, and I could empathize with him.

Imagine that.

The way Death retrieves and carries the souls of children and other innocents is simply beautiful.

The story takes place in Nazi Germany at the beginning of Hitler’s horror show.

Liesel is a German girl who is being taken to a foster family in Munich—along with her little brother—to be cared for until the war is over.

Death comes early to Liesel’s world and he takes an interest in the girl.

Since Death can be everywhere all at once, he’s able to spend time watching over her.

This book is full of beautiful lines, thoughtful lines, achingly painful lines.

I don’t know when I’ve been so moved by a book.

It’s all just words, right?**

It is, but, my goodness, Zusak’s words are soul-stirring.

I think he must be a magician.

Others must have thought the same because in the edition I read, he pulls back the curtain and shares how he did it.

It’s a glimpse into a gifted writer’s process.

Even if you’re not a writer, it’s interesting to see how someone comes up with ideas and spins them into reality.

The Book Thief is timeless.

It deserves a place next to The Diary of Anne Frank.

Don’t let the fact that it was written so long ago stop you from reading it.

Don’t let anything stop you from reading this story that Death wants to share with you.

Until next time,

~ Gail

(Tick tock)

**Paraphrased from Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

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