Friday Book Club! (The Book Thief)

Confession: Reading is basically my favorite thing to do in the whole world. The other day, when the ten-year-old boy I watch asked me what I would like to do more than anything, I said read with the boyfriend's arms around me. Which, sadly, we haven't managed to do yet. Edit: The boyfriend pointed out that he has read with his arms around me... But I was napping both times.

As part of this awesome past time, I am happy to announce my first-ever book review!* It's Book Club Friday!

This week I finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I'll be honest with y'all. This is not the sort of book I normally would have picked out for myself. However, I had heard good things about it, and more importantly, it was on the bookshelf of my oldest child when I desperately needed a new book to read.

It was pretty damn awesome, I'm not gonna lie. I'm so glad convenience convinced me to read it.

The Book Thief follows Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich during World War Two. Throughout the book, she forms strong--sometimes unlikely--friendships with the other characters.

I'm not going to reveal who the narrator is, although it's obviously one of the first things you'll discover upon reading this novel. Still. The choice in narrator is pure genius.

It should go without saying, but books are a huge theme of the novel. I understand Liesel and her growing love for words. One of the parts I loved best about this book was the coming-of-age element illustrated by Liesel's relationship with books.

I don't cry often when I read, but tears streamed down my face when I finished this novel. That is one of the highest compliments I can give to a book.

Stay tuned for next week's edition of Friday Book Club. I'll be reviewing Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

*Not my first ever book review, mind you. I have dozens at my personal blog. Just my first one here.