The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and as a whole I loved it. It’s touching on so many levels, such as friendship, death, family and survival that brought me to tears in the end. As for the end, I expected more from such a heart wrenching story mixed with facts of horrific acts of mankind and characters that come to life. I wanted and expected an explanation of a better life for Liesel, but Mr. Zusak didn’t want to tie it up in a little red bow. But even though I didn’t appreciate the end, I fell in love with Mr. Zusak’s writing so it didn’t reduce the quality or the beauty of what he set out to do, which was reach people with his words and facts. I highly recommend this book.

Because of the subject matter and his talent for writing, I was surprised to find out this is for young adults. Set in Nazi Germany in 1939, the narrator, Death meets Liesel, the book thief for the first time on a train during the death of her brother. Her mother leaves her in the care of foster parents, Rosa and Hans Hubermann, who become two very important people in her life. Hans teaches Liesel the beauty and strength of words by learning how to read, and Rosa, a hard shell of a woman with inner softness teaches Liesel pride and love. Liesel’s best friend Rudy helps her get through some of her childhood, and Liesel recognizes the evil that dictates Germany by obtaining a close bond with Max Vandenburg, the Jew Papa and Mama hide in their basement. Death is intrigued by Liesel while at the same time expresses his thoughts about humans in general. But he has a job to do.

I started reading this book on the plane during my recent vacation to Germany, and because I’m a little over half German. It’s shocking to know Adolph Hitler was able to convince his people that Jews were a disease. This book opens your eyes to the power of words. Markus Zusak showed me the power of his words as he wrote, “I traveled the globe as always, handing souls to the conveyor belt of eternity.” And, “Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. That was the business of hiding a Jew.”

Thank you, Markus Zusak for showing me some of the struggles of life, death and the power of words.

Was it the Spirit of Heroes…

… that made me want to keep reading, or was it Jay L. Young’s creative style? It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in which I didn’t want to put down. I’ve already blogged about being a “New Fan” of Jay L. Young, but his first book was a fresh new read and I had no idea what he had in store for me, his reader. As I’ve said before this isn’t even a genre I normally read and I’m glad that didn’t stop me from moving on. The Spirit of Heroes is the second book of the series which evolves the characters, ties in the first book’s setting with this one, and connects the reader to the struggles and emotions of all those in the Faction. I’ve been busy reading this book and finally finished so I could blog about it. Not only is Jay a talented writer, but he also designed the cover.

Jay locked me into his storytelling and I can’t wait to move onto the third book. This is by far one of the most hidden treasures in a series. The first book, Heroes of Old, sets up the characters and gives the reader an understanding of the beginning and how the Faction and Nephilim came to be. In the Spirit of Heroes, the reader gets to witness No maturing into a young man, along with the other characters. Jay’s love of music is also thrown into the mix seeing how music affects the soul as it does with these heavenly warriors.

This is a book for young and old, so go to Amazon today and purchase all four. If you have a young adult who enjoys X-Men, buy this series for them, I promise you it won’t disappoint.

Even Dead Men Play Chess

I recently finished reading Even Dead Men Play Chess by Michael Weitz, and recommend it to anyone looking for a good mystery. Michael’s debut book captures you from the start when 7-year old Erica Minor needlessly dies under the care of her meth parents. Michael used his knowledge of chess to create and unravel a murder mystery.

Ray Gordon, a cop who ended his career after a fatal shooting, drives to Yakima from Seattle to visit his friend and chess student, Walter Kelly. When he arrives, Walter’s son informs him that Walter died, but Ray doesn’t accept that it was an accident. Ray’s cop instincts kick in and he finds himself looking for clues to prove Walter’s murder.

Michael keeps you guessing until the very end, and throws in a little romance to stir things up. Don’t pass up Michael’s debut novel. Go to your nearest bookstore, or online site to buy, Even Dead Men Play Chess by Michael Weitz. You won’t be disappointed and might learn a thing or two about chess. Congratulations, Michael!

For more information about Michael Weitz and his debut book, please visit Michael’s website.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Come and get your copy of The Courier-Journal. Front page news about Kim Michele Richardson’s interview for The Unbreakable Child coming to a book store near you.

Kim’s book recalls her memories of abuse as an orphan in St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. Kim continues to maintain about her abuses that, “It’s not a religious issue… It’s a human issue.” Even though her horrors came from behind the walls of a Catholic orphanage, they’re abuses, it isn’t where they occurred but the fact that it happened and still does.

I’ve blogged about The Unbreakable Child, since I had the privilege of reading it. Kim’s book deserves honor and praise for taking a healing step in sharing childhood tears of tragedy in hopes to speak out to those abused and their abusers.

Kim’s book launch will be on April 11, 2009 at Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky, so if you’re in the area pop on by for a chat and a book signing from Kim. I’ll be there too, so we hope to see you. What? You don't know me? :D