The Book Thief - MUST read

[katiekittlemouse]

I have just finished this book - it's brilliant! Well written, unusual, harrowing, sad, and in parts funny....
Everyone should read it!! What did you think?
It sits now on my shelf of the best books I've ever read with The Secret History, Shantaram and The Kite Runner.

thing is i an copious reader,and will listen to reviews/recommendation in case i miss out

Holy shit, expat. In Borders - yes. I bought a Roth book, the last Rebus (I know, I know), and that! God help me. I was suckered in.

Before this book club, I honestly did not know that loads of people read the same books. They feature on bestsellers lists and are read by everyone. Like following fashion.

It is insane. Isn't it common knowledge that these bestselling books lists are just like Top Of The Pops - catering to the lowest common denominator. Written/performed by talentless newcomers and heavily mass-marketed. Most people I associate with don't listen to shitty #1 pop songs, so it was a bit of a shock to realize that friends read these books. And enjoy them

Now I am really hoping none are MNers.

The last Rebus was far better The Memory Keeper's Daughter, though.

I did a smash and grab last time I was in Waterstone's as didn't have the kids so the clock was ticking on me.

Wound up with a Richard and Judy machination, The Savage Garden, Joan Harris's debut novel (I know, I know! I blame the post-partum hormones, I had just had DS 4 weeks before) and Duma Key by Stephen King.

Duma King was the best out of the lot.

I didn't even had the excuse of being drunk!

Cote, I am so feeling your righteous outrage.

I feel dirty that I bought The Book Thief.

In my defence, however, and as an illustration of its general simplicity, etc., I read it in one day while bf-ing DD. Not too demanding, obviously...

Actually, that doesn't work. It makes it even more of a waste of £7.99.

Godammit.

I read Duma Key. It was actually pretty interesting.

Compared to this lot of new generation bestseller authors, Stephen King is a damn good writer.

Consider it the freebie in your 3 for 2, Pen. That should dull the pain.

Penthesileia

He had a few of his cliches in there, Cote, he loves his dead children (twins, especially) but yes, I have to agree, his writing was top-notch and the story showed an originality which is sadly lacking in a lot of what is out there.

Anyone else feel rather furtive when checking out the 3 for 2 table?

Me, expat. They make me all hysterical - I have to find 3...

I rather liked the Book Thief - it is fresh and original - the metaphors aren't that clunky. It's a light read for sure - in no way is the book Serious Literary Fiction - but it's none the worse for that.

I always look round at the cameras, thinking, 'Bet the staff are laughing their arses off,' or I feel like picking up the 3 and going, 'Bbbbaaaaaa'.

I occasionally think about peeling the stickers off the books on offer and sticking them on books I'd rather buy.

But I think they'd catch me at the till...

Yes, they'd catch you. But they're probably at least be secretly sympathetic.

At least I only checked out 'The Abortionist's Daughter' from the library.

Forget "Serious Literary Fiction". The Book Thief is not even written for adults. It's a children's book.

Looking back, I read more complex and intriguing books in my teens. Even at school. Lord Of The Flies, for example.

Or Heart of Darkness, which all first-time authors should be forced to study for lessons in how to tell a proper story in well under 1000 pages, how to credit your reader with an imagination and why subtlety and suggestion are art forms.

Oh I had forgotten how good the Secret History was! Read it years ago, and nearly died with disappointment when I struggled througn over 50 pages of the Little Friend then gave up. Did she ever write any more after that?

Memory Keeper's Daughter - wanky, Woman's Realm bag of shite. Sooooo bad. And somehow I'd actually bought 2 copies by mistake!!!

Loved the Time Traveller's Wife.

And loved The Post Birthday World which I first saw mentioned on here.

Currently loving The House at Riverton, again which I've heard good things about on here. Not that far in but story seems to be trying to be a bit too Ian McEwen Atonement-y?

think I will try the Book Thief next.

I'm guessing you only read the first page of the thread, then

'Currently loving The House at Riverton, again which I've heard good things about on here. Not that far in but story seems to be trying to be a bit too Ian McEwen Atonement-y?'

It's a rip-off of Upstairs, Downstairs, although the author admits only to being 'inspired' by the series.

Was really referring to the "old lady wants to tell her deepest secret before she dies" type of idea. But yes, have also recognised Upstairs Downstairs, although never saw that series all the way through so haven't a clue if she's nicked it or not! Still, it's a page-turner for me. I have come to realise that whilst searching for my perfect read I am looking to recreate exactly the same feeling I used to get as a child reading an Enid Blyton (i.e. used to come in early from playing Kick the Can in the street with my friends just to see what happened to George and Timmy next LOL)

Ohhhhhh........was it the mention of [whispers] Enid Blyton that killed this thread?

Nooo, I loved Enid Blyton and agree that it should be mentioned on a thread about a children's book. I read lots of his books in translation, before I learned English - so, age 8-9.

It was the time (late o'clock) that finished me off. (We are an hour ahead)

I agree with katiekittlemouse.
The Book Thief is a brilliant book.
Incredibly poignant in places. As katie said unusual, harrowing, sad and in parts funny.

I liked "Duma Key". Having said that, I'm now reading King's new collection of short stories atm and they're not really doing it for me tbh.

"The House At Riverton" was terrible. It was a direct rip off of "Attonement" - which was also terrible.