Standalone Sunday: The Book Thief

~ Beth (Reading Every Night)

Standalone Sunday is a weekly feature created by Megan at Bookslayer Reads which aims to showcase standalone books which you loved or would recommend.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

HERE IS A SMALL FACT:

YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.

1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier.

Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with her foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall.

SOME MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

THIS NOVEL IS NARRATED BY DEATH.

It’s a small story, about:

a girl

an accordionist

some fanatical Germans

a Jewish fist fighter

and quite a lot of thievery.

ANOTHER THING YOU SHOULD KNOW:

DEATH WILL VISIT THE BOOK THIEF THREE TIMES.

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, at least not compared to the fantasy and YA contemporary books I pick up, but every historical fiction story I’ve read has received a five-star rating from me. The Book Thief, in my opinion, is the best of the best. It was the first historical fiction book I picked up and to this day it remains my favourite.

This was on my to-read list for a while, and the only reason I got around to reading it when I did was because the movie was being released. I figured if I was going to see the movie then I really needed to read the book first. This ended up being an emotional, beautiful and unforgettable read for me, it was a book I couldn’t put down and a story I never wanted to end.

“A SMALL PIECE OF TRUTH

I do not carry a sickle or scythe.

I only wear a hooded black robe when it’s cold.

And I don’t have those skull-like facial features you seem to enjoy pinning on me from a distance.

You want to know what I truly look like?

I’ll help you out. Find yourself a mirror while I continue.”

What did you think of The Book Thief? Have you read it yet or is it still on your to-read list? Let me know in the comments and let me know if you took part in this week’s Standalone Sunday as well.

40 thoughts on “Standalone Sunday: The Book Thief”

  3. I’ve heard SUCH great things about The Book Thief oh my gosh, I really must get onto this read! I don’t think I’m ready for the heartbreak yet though hahahaa. I’ll admit I’m a bit weary of historical fiction as well?? I don’t generally read many books of the genre but I do want to change that!! The Book Thief is definitely a book I need to pick up ahah. ❤ So glad you loved it!

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    1. Oh it’s an amazing book, one of my ultimate all-time favourites. I think you do need to be in a certain mood to read it because of the heartbreak but I hope you enjoy it Analee. Normally I’m a bit wary of historical fiction books too but I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about with The Book Thief. 🙂 ❤️ Thanks!

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  4. I’m not a bit historical fiction reader, but I think I need to add that one to my TBR someday. It really is a classic and so many bloggers love it, I can’t help being curious 🙂

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  6. Agh, I checked out this book from the library but never got around to reading it! I think I was intimidated by its size and also the small font, ahah. But hopefully I’ll come back to it! I’ve heard that it’s an absolutely amazing book, so I’m excited to read it. (Though, like you, I’m not a very big fan of historical fiction!)

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    1. It is quite a big book, and I think one you potentially have to be in the right mood to read, but it’s an amazing story so I hope you manage to get it from the library and get around to it again soon May.
      I think even though you’re not a fan of historical fiction this one may be an exception. It was certainly that way for me. 🙂

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  7. Aw man I loved the Book Thief so so so much. It’s one of my all time favourite books! Hans is the sweetest character ever. I love how it’s narrated by death, too – that’s such a unique perspective to choose to write from!

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    1. It’s just an incredible read isn’t it? I’m not normally a fan of historical fiction but there’s something about The Book Thief that just makes it an all-time favourite read of mine. Hans is probably my favourite character in the book, and yes the fact that it was narrated by Death is what actually drew me to this book in the first place. 🙂

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    1. I think the last time I read this book was a few years ago now. I definitely need to re-read it soon. It’s such an unforgettable story, and yes unique as well. I can see why so many people loved this book, there’s just something about it that stays with you for a long time. 🙂

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      2. Yeah I knew it was building up to something like that happening in the end, it was kind of inevitable given where and when the book was set, but that doesn’t mean it hurt any less like you said. 🙂
        One day we’ll move on from the pain this book caused us!

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  11. I love historical fiction but I have yet to pick up this book. I have heard nothing but good things about it! I haven’t even seen the movie. Looks like I have some work to do haha. Nice pick this week, Beth! 😀

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  15. I love The Book Thief!! I sped through it in about 3 days when I first read it! I’m the same with not reading a lot of Historical Fiction, but I have enjoyed the ones I picked up, but of course Book Thief is the best one!!

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    1. I read it really quickly when I first picked it up as well, there was just something about this book that had me hooked which says a lot about how talented the author is! 😀
      The Book Thief is always going to be the best of the best in my mind. I don’t think anything can beat it. 🙂

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