"No one can be lonely who has a book for company." ~ Nelle Reagan

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

First Book of the Year!! Happy New Year Everyone!


Another year has begun today and I was able to sleep in!  What a delight after a month of being up at 3:15 am to work at the hour of ridiculous (5:30 am).  You see, I work in a bookstore and supervise the team in charge of putting out product, signage for promotions, changeovers and such.  It's early but you get used to it and for a month, it's not too bad.

Raclette (courtesy of Amazon)

How was your New Year's Eve?  We spent it together, most of us, enjoying Raclette, eating chocolate and munchies and playing cards.  I, however, being a tired woos, was falling asleep playing cards so I gave up and went to bed at 10:30 and was woken just in time to bring in the new year with family.  It was a delightful evening and a few friends stopped in briefly to wish their new year greetings.  We did the countdown with a local tv station, cheered, hugged and kissed and the merriment ensued without me as I retired to bed.


Today it is cloudy, threatening more snow and the roads are slick (at least they were last evening, so I don't expect they've miraculously changed for the better.).  We have a lot of snow but it is warming at week's end to highs of -1 and -7 Celsius, Thursday and Friday respectively, with a risk of freezing rain Thursday.  We've had more freezing rain this winter than I've ever seen in the last 13 years we've resided here in the Edmonton area.  Rather treacherous for walking and driving. (I got the cleats for my boots, it's that bad!)

When Sheila at Book Journey posted a 1st Book of the Year join in, I decided now would be a perfect time to read a book I've wanted to read for two years.  It's Markus Zusak's The Book Thief.   It's the story of a young orphan, Liesel, and her love for books, a love that begins with acquiring a book left behind at her brother's graveside.  In her foster parents' home, a young Jewish man stays hidden from the Nazis during the beginning of World War II.  Oh, the possible ramifications if he were found. It is also about a love of books and words during a terribly tumultuous time in history. I invite you to watch the extended trailer below with an introduction by the actress who plays Liesel.


It is 1939.  
Nazi Germany. 
The country is holding its breath.  
Death has never been busier, 
and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger finds her life changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden int he snow.  It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.  So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read.  Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times.  When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish man in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
(from the book cover)

I'm so excited to be able to fit this book into my reading schedule... finally.  The movie of The Book Thief is out in theatres now and I can't wait to see it but first I must read the book!!  Are you the same way? Must you read first before watching the movie?

What is your first book of the year?








17 comments:

  1. Enjoy your first read of the year. This one is on my TBR list.

    Cynthia
    The Things You Can Read
    http://www.thethingsyoucanread.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a few chapters in and so far I love it!! I like your parenting guidance books you've chosen for your first books of the year.

      Happy New Year!

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  2. The Book Thief is one of my favorite books!! I just re-read it for the 3rd time before the film came out and I use it in a writing class I teach. I always love to read a book before I see the movie. I hope you enjoy this!!

    Here is my first read for 2014:
    http://spiritofchildrensliterature.com/2014/01/01/first-book-of-the-year-2014/

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    Replies
    1. To read a book three times certainly validates its popularity! I am a few chapters in and am loving it so far! I'm on my way over to check out your choice for the beginning of the year.

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  3. That's a great book to start the new year. I liked the movie and hope to one day read the book.
    Harvee
    Book Dilettante

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    Replies
    1. The reviews and previews for the movie have been wonderful and I can't wait to see it myself but first I must complete the book which, so far, has been enjoyable.

      Happy New Year.

      Delete
  4. Excellent choice...the book was great and the movie was amazing.

    ENJOY!!!

    Happy New Year!!

    Stop by my blog from January 2 to January 11 for an international giveaway of Jubilee's Journey.

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My First Book of The Year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just got back from visiting your First Book of the Year. Don't you love Laura Lippman's writing? I've read one of hers, and it's been some time ago now, but I really enjoyed her ability to build up suspense.

      Happy New Year!

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  5. Happy New Year to you too. I've heard great reviews about the book and intend to read it soon.
    Ann

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    Replies
    1. Hello Ann! The Book Thief has been on my must read list for some time, about two years actually so this meme gave me the opportunity to fit it in. (like I needed a reason?!!) I really am enjoying the approach the author uses with his unusual choice of narrators. I can't wait to see the movie!!

      I'll be popping in for a quick visit soon. Thank you for being a frequent visitor on My Bookshelf. Happy New Year!

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  6. Oh I loved The Book Thief, such a powerful novel. I'm actually going to make sure I take a trip to the cinema to see this one. I hope you find plenty of fabulous reads in 2014.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad so many people loved this book! I'm pretty excited to read my way through what is sure to be a classic someday. Thanks for stopping in and Happy New Year.

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  7. It is such a beautiful book - the story within the story I LOVE LOVE LOVE. Seriously if I had not already had a blog and a blog name I would have called my blog Wordshakers.

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful!! Thanks for hosting this meme Sheila. I look forward to everyone's reviews of their selections. Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  8. The Book Thief is wonderful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

    I have to confess that I'm not jealous of your early mornings, but I would love to borrow your job for a while! :)

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    Replies
    1. Ah, yes the bookstore! I've worked there for just over two years now and still cannot resist the book aisles of every store I enter!

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