Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Book Thief, I am the Messenger ... Anyone read any others by him? He is a tremendously gifted writer. I'd really like to try all of his stuff.

I have only read those two but I loved both of them! I've heard good things about his other books, but have yet to pick them up. I really like Markus Zusak - he has such a unique voice and style.

Book Thief is awesome!

Yes! I think what I love is his unique voice. And what's so neat is Thief and Messenger are so different, you almost can't tell they're written by the same people.

He makes it look so easy, does our Markus...

How was I Am the Messenger? I got the audiobook from the library and burned it to my computer... It's on my MP3 player.... Is it good? I LOVED The Book Thief, but they're COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from what I can tell, so who knows.... I'm excited that it's very Australian...

Messenger is the emerald, whereas Thief is the diamond. Both gems, for sure, but very different. I really enjoyed the audio-version Sara, but then I love the Aussie accent too

;)

Fabulous!

Yes, definitely let me know what you think of it!

I loved The Book Thief andI Am the Messengerand I am looking forward to reading his other books.

Yeah, he's another one that I don't want to read everything he's done because I don't ever want to be finished reading his books!

He's very young so I hope he keeps writing!

He's 33, but he sure looks younger on the book jacket!

Sara, I also loved the audio version too of I Am Messenger too. I hope you enjoy it.

Oh his writing was so gorgeous in The Book Thief. I just didn't get very emotionally invested in the characters. I want to read I Am Messenger as well.

Laura, I really thought he was 20 something!

I loved the Book Thief and am very anxious to read I Am the Messenger. I would like to read anything by him.

This is so great--tons more people I get to push Messenger onto! What more can I ask for??

I really want to read something else by him as well tho.

Beth wrote: "Laura, I really thought he was 20 something! "

I got his age from Wiki, they had his birthdate too, so I assume it's right.

I only thought he was young based on his picture! LOL. Boy, he ages well!

Doesn't it seem like most men age better than women? Isn't that sickening? ;)

Oh My I honestly didnt connect it as the same author for both those books. I think I may need to add a new favorite to my list

Sara TX wrote: "Doesn't it seem like most men age better than women? Isn't that sickening? ;)"

And it seems that it's not just that they age better. It's that they look better as they age! Just think of how many men look better now than they did 10 or even 20 years ago. It is sickening! :-)

I almost bought I am the Messenger yesterday while I was at a book signing for Water for Elephants. But then my hubby showed up, Sara Gruen showed up, and everything else went out of my head. :-( I have to pick it up soon.

Any Messenger day is a good day, JG. It'll wait for you. Wow - that's great that you got to meet Sara Gruen!

My hubby laughed at me. He asked me as we were driving over, "What are you going to say to her? Are you going to tell her you love her book and all that?" I'm not really one to gush at people, so I said no. I got there and it really was just a book signing. She didn't read, she didn't talk about anything, she just sat down and started signing books. I got to her and all I said was, "Hi!" and "Thank you!" with a smile. So much for my brush with fame! My hubby thought it was hilarious!

I'd be the same way...

:)

Well, unless I met the great Markus. I might have to pinch his cheeks.

Holy cow! I just started I Am the Messenger this morning...

Huh-freaking-larious! Someone start a thread about it. I'm only like a 20th of the way through the book, so I don't know how it will end up being categorized... contemporary... mystery.... comedy... I just don't know, but I love it so far!

Oh, Sara, so glad to hear that! You can definitely count that in the Challenge as a 5-star read from another member (yea, that would be me). Let me know what you think of the ending.

Good to hear! I think I'm using it for an award winner, though. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to work all the books I want to read in, as the ones I want to read the most are ones you all have recommended (great for 4/5 star reads, top books, etc...)!

Yeah, always nice to work those award winners in. It seems like they are great in any genre.

I want to read more written by him! I read I Am the Messenger first, and then The Book Thief, and was really suprised by the differences! You can usually feel the author in the writing (I hope that makes sense...) but these two books were so different, with such strong characters and voices in the story that I would never have linked the two if I didn't already know they were written by the same guy! Both amazing books!

i bought the Book Thief a while ago and have been waiting for a chance to read it, so I am going to work it into the challenge. I am excited!

I agree that the two books are totally different. I'm looking forward to reading a third - has anyone read anything other than I am the Messenger and Book Thief?

I loved The Book Thief, so I was excited for the YA reading challenge to give me an excuse to get I Am the Messenger. I wanted to read it right after The Book Thief, but it isn't available here in my library district. I just ordered it, and it should be here soon! I'm planning to read it for task 30.1.

Laura wrote: "I agree that the two books are totally different. I'm looking forward to reading a third - has anyone read anything other than I am the Messenger and Book Thief? "


I've read Getting The Girl. It was ok, not great. I Am the Messenger is better; I really enjoyed it.

I'm waiting to get Fighting Ruben Wolfe and The Book Thief from the library.

I've read all of his books - while The Book Thief and I Am The Messenger are definitely the best, it's worth reading Fighting Ruben Wolf and Getting the Girl. Getting the Girl is actually sort of a sequel to Fighting Ruben Wolf. They are both really quick reads. And it's great to read Zusak in his earlier style. Does anyone know if we can expect another book from him soon?

Laura said a new one should be coming out in November. Check out message 14 in this thread.

I'm so looking forward to his new book!

Hi im new here. ill be on again later.

Hi Luke, welcome to Wild Things, esp. if you love Markus Zusak!

:)

JG wrote: "Laura said a new one should be coming out in November. Check out message 14 in this thread."

Thanks! I'm very excited.

I'm reading Fighting Ruben Wolfe right now. It's interesting so far... Hasn't QUITE picked up as much as it will. I've got Getting the Girl out from the library, too.

I love I Am the Messenger! I just reread it.