The Book Thief

It is back to me for February and I have selected The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Sorry it is so long for a short month. It is a quick read.

Synopsis: It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Laura's Thoughts on Prince Caspian

My thoughts are not as well organized as Thom's, but here goes.

I do believe that there is religions symbolism in the book. How can you not? I especially like the notion that Aslan guides the characters rather than telling them what to do.

I am not sure why people were caught off guard by the fight regarding the White Witch. It is an interesting observation, however. Why is it the people are always surprised that trouble ensues when evil is mentioned? Somehow people think you can be involved in bad things without negative consequences.

Finally, I think my favorite character in this book was Edmund. I like the way he struggles to make amends for his role in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. Of course, I too love Peter.

Thom's thoughts on Prince Caspian

I love all of these books. It was good and fun and filled with battles. Yeah! As for Amy's discussion questions:

Question 1: Did you feel that this book had any religious or symbolic references?
I totally do. It is as if the people stopped believing in Aslan/Christ and that they had perverted the right ways. I see this time as the dark ages, the time without light and knowledge. It took a young boy who was willing to learn, ask, and act to bring Aslan back.


Question 2: In the book there is the part where Peter, Edmund and Trumpkin are listening to the arguments behind the door of whether or not they should call on the powers of the White Witch. Within a few minutes a small battle ensues. It seemed even Dr. Cornelius did not see it coming? Why do you think this happened? Could they have prevented it?
I don't know about this. I don't think that anyone really thought that the White Witch would have been brought up, even Dr. Cornelius. It is true that the dwarfs were treated well by her, but I do believe that the group was caught off guard. What frustrated me about this was that Peter et al. didn't rush in earlier. As soon as they heard the White Witch's name they should have stepped in and said that they were there.

Question 3: Who was your favorite character, and why? :)
Mine will always be Aslan. He is such a strong and compassionate leader. I love how Peter accepts his role in these first two books, but it is amazing how Aslan can see the good in everyone. What a great character!

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Okay, here are some questions I have thought up to facilitate discussion. Feel free to ask questions yourself, or just post comments. I am anxious to hear what ya'll thought. :)

Question 1: Did you feel that this book had any religious or symbolic references?
These are my thoughts: I know that C.S. Lewis wrote the Chronicles before he was ever converted to Christianity, but I really enjoy the symbolism and reverence that is easily associated with them. I felt like this book was more JUST a story, but I did enjoy the tone of symbolism, much like the belief in Santa in "The Polar Express" (For example, the belief in Aslan and the children being able to see him). What did you think?


Question 2: In the book there is the part where Peter, Edmund and Trumpkin are listening to the arguments behind the door of whether or not they should call on the powers of the White Witch. Within a few minutes a small battle ensues. It seemed even Dr. Cornelius did not see it coming? Why do you think this happened? Could they have prevented it?

Question 3: Who was your favorite character, and why? :)
Mine was Trumpkin. :)

A New Book for the New Year

I just wanted to make it official that the book for January is Return to Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. I thought it would be fun to read a book in anticipation of the movie coming out in the spring.
We hope everyone had a wonderful time together. We did. We love you all!

December Book

Mom chose the December book:A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg.

This is the write up on it from Publishers Weekly:Lured by a brochure his doctor gives him after informing him that his emphysema has left him with scarcely a year to live, 52-year-old Oswald T. Campbell abandons wintry Chicago for Lost River, Ala., where he believes he'll be spending his last Christmas. Bestselling author Flagg (Fried Green Tomatoes; Standing in the Rainbow) makes this down-home story about good neighbors and the power of love sparkle with wit and humor, as she tells of Oswald's new life in a town with one grocery store and a resident cardinal (or redbird, as the natives call it). Frances Cleverdon, one of four widows and three single women in town, hopes to fix him up with her sister, Mildred—if only Mildred wouldn't keep dying her hair outrageous colors every few days. The quirky story takes a heartwarming turn when Frances and Oswald become involved in the life of Patsy Casey, an abandoned young girl with a crippled leg. As Christmas approaches, the townspeople and neighboring communities—even the Creoles, whose long-standing feud with everybody else keeps them on the other side of the river—rally round shy, sweet Patsy. Flagg is a gifted storyteller who knows how to tug at readers' heartstrings, winding up her satisfying holiday tale with the requisite Christmas miracle.

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I think that Mom also would like to have a regular conversation about this book too, so just have it read before the end of the year.

The End.

Thom's Thoughts on Lucky

I didn't like it.

I thought that the author did a good job of getting us in the mind of Lucky and creating character's that we liked and to whom we could relate.

I liked the description of Lucky's hair and how she placed it so no bugs would get in her ears.

But . . .

A lot of build up for a lot of nothing. I finished it while I was on the train to the Bon Jovi concert with Stephanie. Things kept happening, and happening, and I was thinking that there weren't enough pages to resolve the story. I expressed this to Stephanie and she told me to just keep reading.

And then it was done.

I like how it ended . . . I just didn't like the ending.

Does this make sense? I need to read the Newbery finalists to see why this one was the best of 07.