The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Rating: 5/5

My friend bought me this book a few months ago. Thinking it was overrated because I saw it on social media too much, I neglected it's presence until just a week ago. The book is one of the best novels I have ever read. The historical fiction book followed the perspective of a poor foster German girl in the midst of World War II. Risking their lives and reputation, the German family hid a young Jewish man inside their home, where the girl bonded with him over the course of a few years. Their bond is one of the most significant parts of the story, opposing the ideas thrown around during World War II at the time. One of the most significant aspects of the novel was the narrator, who was essentially a soul collector, I assumed. Not only had I never read a book from the perspective of a German girl (as oppose to a Jewish girl), but I also had never cried reading a book. The ending of this book was one of the most sad and depressing things I have ever read, but was the best read this year.