Debra's Reviews > The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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it was amazing
bookshelves: young-adult, favorite-books

This is my all time favorite book! I thought Zusak hit it out of the ballpark with this book. It was beautiful, it was sad, it was poetic. It was all things that books should be. It was simply divine. I actually read this very fast and then got mad that I read it so fast because I did not want it to end. I loved the characters. This book made me think, feel, cry and cheer for the characters. There is such beauty in this book. A must read for anyone who loves to read.

This book is set during WWII Germany and tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Her younger brother has died and her mother has been "taken away." She has been taken in by a German couple who are scraping out a meager existence. Liesel learns to read with the help of her accordion playing foster father. She develops a love of books and cannot help stealing them when the opportunity presents itself. She forms a closed relationship with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. Liesel also forms another close friendship with a boy who has hair the color of lemons, Rudy Steiner. Two people who will have an impact on her life. "The Book Thief" is narrated by Death. It's an unlikely narrator, but a very appropriate one for a book set during the Holocaust.

See more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
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Quotes Debra Liked

Markus Zusak
“If only she could be so oblivious again, to feel such love without knowing it, mistaking it for laughter. ”
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Markus Zusak
“It was a Monday and they walked on a tightrope to the sun.”
Marcus Zusak, The Book Thief

Markus Zusak
“It's much easier, she realized, to be on the verge of something than to actually be it.”
Marcus Zusak, The Book Thief

Markus Zusak
“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.”
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief


Reading Progress

Finished Reading
December 29, 2011 – Shelved
October 21, 2013 – Shelved as: to-read
December 17, 2013 – Shelved as: young-adult
December 17, 2013 – Shelved as: favorite-books

Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)

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message 1: by Hans (new)

Hans Hi Debra. So glad you enjoyed it too!


message 2: by Graeme (new)

Graeme Rodaughan Great movie as well.


message 3: by Diane (new)

Diane Wallace Stellar review, Debra!


Tammy I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read this.Great review, Debra


Karen Wonderful review Debra! Amazing book!


Sandy MMG It´s a beautiful book!!! great review!!!


Debra Hans wrote: "Hi Debra. So glad you enjoyed it too!"

Thank you Hans!


Debra Graeme wrote: "Great movie as well."

It was!


Debra Diane wrote: "Stellar review, Debra!"

Thank you Diane!


Debra Tammy wrote: "I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read this.Great review, Debra"

What are you waiting for? Seriously, I hope you do read it some day. I have read it multiple times. My husband's grandfather was actually hidden by a German family in their barn during WW2. He had been chased and shot by Nazi soldiers but managed to get away and was saved by the family that hid him. So this story touches close to home for us as well.


Debra Karen❄️ wrote: "Wonderful review Debra! Amazing book!"

Thank you Karen! I think I have read it 4x and listened to the audio book 2x


Debra Sandy wrote: "It´s a beautiful book!!! great review!!!"

Thank you Sandy!


Supratim Nice review, Debra!


Debra Supratim wrote: "Nice review, Debra!"

Thank you!


message 15: by Paul (new)

Paul Falk It's wonderful to have your heart and mind stolen away with a book. Superb review Debra!


Tammy Debra wrote: "Tammy wrote: "I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read this.Great review, Debra"

What are you waiting for? Seriously, I hope you do read it some day. I have read it multiple times. My husband'..."


Thank you for sharing! I’m on it.


Debra Paul wrote: "It's wonderful to have your heart and mind stolen away with a book. Superb review Debra!"

Thank you Paul!


Carol  Jones-Campbell We read it and loved it too. It is an exceptional book that teaches us a lot of things about the culture war time and much more. Glad you all liked it.


Martie Nees Record I actually like your review more than mine.


Debra Carol wrote: "We read it and loved it too. It is an exceptional book that teaches us a lot of things about the culture war time and much more. Glad you all liked it."

Thank you Carol!


Debra Martie wrote: "I actually like your review more than mine."

You are very kind, Thank you!


message 22: by Gary (new) - added it

Gary Great review. I am considering reading this in my 9th grade class, but i am not sure if it would work.


Carol  Jones-Campbell Gary, we have huge discussions about age appropriateness for this book. After much chatting, we felt that 9th grade was the appropriate address for just said book. Highly agree!!! - Carol


Debra Gary wrote: "Great review. I am considering reading this in my 9th grade class, but i am not sure if it would work."

Most libraries have this book in the YA section.


Debra Carol wrote: "Gary, we have huge discussions about age appropriateness for this book. After much chatting, we felt that 9th grade was the appropriate address for just said book. Highly agree!!! - Carol"

I think 9th graders would enjoy this book. It is in the YA section of most libraries.


Carol I had such trouble at first with this book but tried it again and it connected. Loved, loved this and it is one of my all-time favorites. I was a giver of this on World Book Night a few years back, I handed it to many and spread its wonder by word of mouth. My husband and I listened to this and enjoyed the audio immensely. Thought the movie was well done also.

Can't wait to read Book of Clay, his new book to be published this fall (2018).

Excellent review Debra. Have I told you lately how much I enjoy reading your reviews? I do.


Debra Carol wrote: "I had such trouble at first with this book but tried it again and it connected. Loved, loved this and it is one of my all-time favorites. I was a giver of this on World Book Night a few years back,..."

Thank you so much Carol! You are so kind! I loved the audio version as well. I have listened to it twice on long car rides! I'm glad you gave this book a second chance and loved it!


message 28: by Rose (new) - rated it 5 stars

Rose One I am going to start soon. Thanks for taking time to review Debra


Debra Rose wrote: "One I am going to start soon. Thanks for taking time to review Debra"

Thank you Rose! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!


message 30: by Rose (new) - rated it 5 stars

Rose Thanks Debra


Angela M is taking a break. Debra, I’m so glad that your review popped up now . I don’t think we had connected here yet when you first wrote it, so I didn’t see it then . A fantastic review! I’ve read it twice and I almost never reread a book. I loved it both times.


Debra Angela M wrote: "Debra, I’m so glad that your review popped up now . I don’t think we had connected here yet when you first wrote it, so I didn’t see it then . A fantastic review! I’ve read it twice and I almost ne..."

Thank you, Angela! I have listened to the Audiobook (which is incredible) 2x and have read the book around 4 times.


message 33: by Melissa (new) - added it

Melissa ~ Bantering Books Terrific review, Debra! This book is on my bucket list. One day . . . :)


Debra Melissa wrote: "Terrific review, Debra! This book is on my bucket list. One day . . . :)"

Thank you, Melissa! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!


message 35: by TMR (new) - added it

TMR It's a complex one for me.


Anubhav ( taylor version) Absolutely love your review..I Just finished it today and I am still crying..


Debra Anubhav wrote: "Absolutely love your review..I Just finished it today and I am still crying.."

Thank you, Anubhav! Such a powerful and moving book!


message 38: by Kim (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kim Great review, Debra! I loved it too - and so did my daughters!! Great appeal - maybe due for a re-read, which I don't often do.


Debra Kim wrote: "Great review, Debra! I loved it too - and so did my daughters!! Great appeal - maybe due for a re-read, which I don't often do."

Thank you, Kim! This is the book I have re-read the most!


Federico DN My all-time fav for many years too. Such a beautiful heartbreaking story. Divine indeed. Glad you loved it too Debra <3


Debra Federico wrote: "My all-time fav for many years too. Such a beautiful heartbreaking story. Divine indeed. Glad you loved it too Debra <3"

Thank you, Federico!


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