The Book Thief

Typically, I wait until after a book club meeting to write about the books, but I typically I do not devour a 550 page novel in four days either. Even though our meeting is nearly a month away, I just had to write something about The Book Thief by Markus Zusak now, while it is still fresh.

This book was... I'm at a loss for words... wonderful. My heart sang and my heart wept-- sometimes simultaneously-- while reading. Though the heroine, Liesel Meminger, and I had little in common other than a love for books and words and knowledge, I feel as though she is part of me. I am mourning the end of this incredible story, and I know that the memory of it will stay with me for a long time.

Growing up, I loved historical fiction books, especially about young and vibrant women growing up in Nazi Germany. Though this novel fits that bill precisely, it is unlike any WWII or Holocaust story I've ever encountered. Zusak's portrayal of this well-known era and people was inspired. The characters were beautifully tortured-- each complex and so real I feel that I know them, or in some cases that I am them. 
The story was narrated by Death, which one might expect to be sinister or hokey, but Zusak made a familiar and likable figure even out of a feared entity.

This book shows the power of and freedom in words-- both in an era when books were burned and knowledge was warped and now when information is at one's fingertips and is taken for granted. It is an inspiration and a masterpiece!

The Time Traveler's Wife

I realize I am approximately two years behind the summer beach read train, but I finally got around to this swoon worthy read.

I'm not sure if I'm just more emotional late at night (the only time I get for pleasure reading) or what, but lately I have been crying buckets at nearly everything. My poor roommate must think I am nuts when I bust into his office at 1 am at least twice a month and try to explain riveting plots and beautiful characters between sobs. This week, when I finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, it was no exception. Major sob fest. Major.

When I borrowed this book from a friend, I was expecting an easy and romantic piece of Chick Lit to numb my senses for a few weeks. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a complex and beautiful love story. I was really impressed with the author for her ability to write a story that weaves in and out of time, and I was simultaneously impressed with myself for being able to follow along as the main characters Claire and Henry fell in love one moment at a time. In fact, I became so engrossed in the novel that I felt like I was falling in love right along with them.

One of my favorite things about the book was actually the setting. Niffenegger managed to turn the city of Chicago into a character in this story. The city, changing every second with the hustle and bustle of life, also remains fundamentally the same throughout time. The city might seem constantly in flux with millions of busy people hurrying about, but the architecture, traditions, and even El stops remain unchanged. To me, this city (made extra special to me because it was Chicago, my home during 4 years of college) was a metaphor for Henry and Claire. Though they were together for just series of brief moments, back and forth across decades and decades-- the foundation of their relationship was unchanged and beautiful.

Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic, but I utterly loved this book. I suppose I will have to see the movie now, but lord knows it will never live up to my expectations.