Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

I'm impatient for this thread, so I'm starting it. (I'm not really sure where this would go, so I'm putting it under Fantasy, even though theres only one fantasy element to the story, and only that because he narrates. :) )

I absolutely loved this book. Leisel is one of the best characters ever, as is Death.

This is honestly one of the most unique and beautiful books I've ever read. Zusak's descriptions are almost tangible, and really make you look at your world in a new light.

Any thoughts?

This is definitely a book you never forget. I found it emotionally exhausting, but at the same time, totally worth it. I just love Zusak.

I feel like this belongs more under history, as it is set during WWII-Germany.

I loved this book so much, I made two of my friends read it, they both cried. I'm mailing it to another friend for summer reading.

I got that tight feeling in my chest after reading it, but oh, I loved the characters. I think Hans Hubermann was awesome. And can we talk about Rudy Steiner, I loved that he imitated the black runner, I love that he wasn't hardcore Hitler Youth Movement.

I was thinking that it should go there April, but then I wasn't sure HOW historical historical was supposed to be, lol. I think I will move it there, since that was my original impulse.

Sounds like a good guideline to follow. :)

I absolutely adored this book. It is my second favorite book of all time. It is so moving. I loved the characters, especially the narrator. I liked it so much, I went out and bought it. Then, I gave it to my mom (an avid reader). She read it and said it was all right. I guess to each his own. However, I cannot say enough about this book, but I don't want to give anything away. Therefore, I will shut up before I do.

Yes, I'm going with the assumption that every thread will contain spoilers, as long as they are marked, or unless specifically stated otherwise (as in my Long Walk thread).

I, too, loved this book. In fact, I initially read it as a library book, but it is one that I feel I will purchase and re-read in time. I definitely liked the approach of the book. I fell in love with Leisel and the narration by death was intriguing. Of course, it was a book I cried during quite often, but I didn't expect any less.

It's been a while since I read this book, but I really loved it.

This is one of the only books that I bought twice in hardback. (I bought it, read it, loved it, gave it to my mom who loved it and kept it. I then bought another copy so I could keep one.) Ask Kandice how much I hate hardback books. I might order a PB copy and mail off the one I own.

Any takers?

Really? I love owning books but rarely buy them because I read a lot of books from the library. This book is one I'd like to own.

Kristen wrote: "Really? I love owning books but rarely buy them because I read a lot of books from the library. This book is one I'd like to own. "

Send me your address and it's yours. :D

You rock my socks. :)

Kristen wrote: "You rock my socks. :)"

*blush*

Hehe. Hopefully that didn't come across as a naughty reference.. that's my catchphrase of sorts. :)

Kristen wrote: "Hehe. Hopefully that didn't come across as a naughty reference.. that's my catchphrase of sorts. :)"

I understood the meaning... ;)

Okie good, don't want to be making obscenities hehe. ;)

Kristen wrote: "Okie good, don't want to be making obscenities hehe. ;)"

Hey, we're all adults... we're just young at heart! ;)

I am about 50 pages into this book and I don't know how I feel about it being written from the point of view of death. It is really confusing to me. Not just that, but the book in general. It seems to jump around a lot...

It does jump around, but give it a little while. You have to really get the FEEL of this book. It's beautiful.

Yea many of the references become clear as you move thru, but it can very much seem like a puzzle at first. Stick with it.

I really loved this book. I shared with the other group (COL), but here is the story:

I work at the library. One day, a lady came in and returned the Book Thief book. I commented that I had just read it and loved it. She said that she saw herself in Leisel and had gone through a lot of the things herself as a child that Leisel had. She sad thanks to this book, she was able to finally talk about her experiences with her family. Her 15 year old granddaughter is reading it, and able to ask her grandmother questions. The grandmother is finally starting to heal and share her own story. She said it inspired her to try and maybe write her own book, even if it was just for her family. It's just wonderful to hear when a book can change someone's life for the better, and help them heal.

Wow, yes that is an incredible story. Oh and it's great that you work at the library. I'm actually thinking of volunteering at mine. Libraries have a great energy about them I think.

Great story, LinBee. Glad another Chick is joining us here!!

This is my new favorite. I just read it in November, but I can't wait to re-read it. I was in such a hurry to see what happened that I rushed through. I want to take my time and really appreciate the story. When I finished it the first time, I waited a day or two before I picked up anything else. That's a long time for me to not have my nose in a book! But The Book Thief was just a perfect book to me and I knew that anything else I picked up after that would be a disappointment. Obviously, I got over that feeling, but I still can't help but feel that it is going to be a very, very long time before another book touches my soul the way this one did.

I loved this book. And, of course I cried. I really liked the narration by Death. It made such an interesting read. And, I loved that Death is not pleased with his job, he feels upset by things also.


I must say that I was angry close to the end when Death gave us that spoiler... I was like, NO!! Don't tell me that! You are lying! But, of course... He wasn't, and... I cried.


This is definitely a book that I am going to own, and hopefully soon!

I read this book a few months ago..and I have to say it was one of my favorites that I have read in a long time (out of all the non-YA too!). It was soo different and so touching..and the characters were so vivid and real. The POV was incredibly interesting as Death was the narrator..and the way the story was woven was just amazing! I've recommended this to everyone I know!

Why would I kill you? You'd love it Fiona. Trust me.

Have I ever steered you wrong?

Fiona....Fiona Fiona Fiona. How could all of us Zusak lovers be wrong? How could we all be wrong?

Impossible!

You'd love it. I know you would.

The whole death narration works somehow in this book. It really doesn't come off as gimmicky, trust me! I know we really don't know each other, and forgive me if this sounds weird, but if you read The Book Thief I'll read I Capture the Castle.

HaHA!

Love ya Beth! She's great, I tell ya!!

Fiona wrote: "Blackmail?

Wish I'd bought it now!"

Get it at the library!

Yes, I guess it could be categorized as blackmail. LOL! I do have a copy of I Capture the Castle, sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read......

I love that face, it reminds me of my cat when she's got a flea up her you-know-what!

You two are hilarious! It's a deal, Fiona, and it will count as part of the Spring Challange (miss book pusher)!

Fiona... You really must read The Book Thief. You must, you must!! There are all these little interludes, and the writing is so beautiful and different.

I'm tempted to add to Beth's blackmail, and say that I won't read ICTC *OR* Howl's until you read The Book Thief. O_o

...Tempted.

Becky, do it! Tag teaming is always good.

Beth wrote: "Becky, do it! Tag teaming is always good."

I know! But I really want to read them both.

Look at this thread, Fiona. If we're not all friends with you already, we probably will be soon. Would we steer you wrong? I promise it's life-changingly good. It's my favorite book of all time, adult, YA, children's, whatever. Yes, it really is that amazing.

And haven't I already read TWO of your pushes? I think you owe me one. :-) I'm just teasing you! Mostly.

*push*
*puuuuushhhhhh*

Just let me know when you're ready to read The Book Thief and that's when I'll read ICTC!

LOL, you KNOW I'm going to end up reading it, no matter what!

It would be a great way to kick off Wild Things, Fiona! It would show the Mod stretching out of her comfort zone to read a Great YA book - there's nothing quite like leading by example.

Excellent point, Laura!

Yes, and you've pushed back, Miss Tweety, and I've never been disappointed in your picks....

;)

Fiona wrote: "Oh you old rotter! You've pushed enough on me already. :P"

Isn't that what they call The Grinch?

Laura wrote: "It would be a great way to kick off Wild Things, Fiona! It would show the Mod stretching out of her comfort zone to read a Great YA book - there's nothing quite like leading by example."

Hee hee! Good point, Laura!

I think we can get Miss Tweety to crack open a book where Death is the narrator - a narrator with a sense of humor, no less!

Is this book really that good? I've just read through the whole thread, and it's been rec'd to me by everyone and their mom, but I only managed to get halfway through, and even that was a chore. Is the second half better? Does Death stop drowning us in foreshadowing?

I really love this book. Part of the beauty of Death is that he is omniscient and that he knows when everyone will meet him. I think that aspect made me love the book all the more, because it was like Death was giving us time to cherish the last moments we had with the character, and time to say goodbye.

That didn't make the losing easier for me, but I found it consoling in the only real way that Death can console us, which is in knowledge.

Yes Alexis this book is that good. It is a story of a young girls coming of age in Germany during the time of Hitler. A story of her finding safety and love in people who are far from perfect. Its a story of people giving to others during one of the hardest times.

Guess you cant tell how I fell about this book