The Book Thief, review

I haven't done many book reviews here, yet even as I don't necessarily feel adequate in writing this one, I must. It compels me.

Steph gave me this book for my birthday, I believe. I was in the middle of a grueling semester which transitioned into an insanely busy spring (not from schoolwork, however, but doctor visits and stretching). My first chance to read something for my own pleasure came over my two week hiatus from classes at the beginning of May. I was looking for something light following a semester of depressing, dark, self-destructive narratives in Post Colonial literature. This intriguing title and picture on the book cover nabbed me from my bookshelf.

I began the book on our 4-hour plane ride to Phoenix. The Prologue was so unique and enticing that I made Kyle read it. What does it mean, he asked. I didn't know, but knew I had to find out. Thus, I delved into this mysterious, incredible story, and I never looked up. I didn't reach for my iPod. I didn't talk to Kyle. I read while snacking on pretzels and sipping ginger ale. I hardly rested my eyes for any length of time. I didn't want to stop. It was hard for me to focus on talking to my sister when she picked us up from the airport...the vivid characters were milling about in my mind, wanting to continue their story.

I really don't want to give any of the novel away; it is absolutely so unique in style and frame. I hardly want to tell you what point of view it is written from, in case it would ruin the wonder and the mastery of it. I want others to read it in order to find out if I am the lone human being so touched by this story. On the flight home, I wept and I wasn't even at the very end. A few days later as I finished it on a break at my work desk, I had to pause at discreet, short intervals in order to collect myself. But the tears came anyway. This story is unbelievable.

The New York Times said, "It's the kind of book that can be LIFE CHANGING," and USA Today stated that it "deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank." The Washington Post claims it is "absorbing and searing."

I cannot disagree. Though fictional, it is no less compelling and true to the heart of humankind as Anne Frank's diary.This book did change my life, although I'm not entirely sure how. I know that I shall never forget it, as long as I live (and that's an extremely bold statement, I know).

I found myself wondering in the middle of it, whether I could somehow finagle my master's thesis from this book, or at least incorporate it as one of the texts. I just want an excuse to read it again.

Here is my concise praise for this book:

It is, by far, the best modern fiction I have read (granted, I don't read much modern fiction). 

It moved me. 

I want you to read it so we can talk about it. Are you up for it? Have you read this? Will you?

What is the best fiction / nonfiction that you've read lately, something that you know you can never forget?