The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

How would you like to read a book narrated by death? Although it does not feel any different but I get the idea that the narrator is not hiding anything, throws light on all characters impartially. The Book Thief is story of a little girl who starts her stealing from her brother's grave. Equally amusing is the book she steals. What will stay with you is the innocence and compassion of Liesel Meminger (the book thief, strong girl, perpetually curious about words), she is no ordinary thief you see.

Some excerpts from the book:

Chapter- The Other Side of Sandpaper
'Papa!' she whispered. 'I have no eyes!'
He patted the girl's hair. She'd fallen into his trap. 'With a smile like that', Hans Hubermann said, 'you don't need eyes'. Hehugged her, and then looked again at the picture, with face of warm silver.

Chapter - The Joy Of Cigarettes
'Look at the colours', Papa said. It's hard not to like a man who not only notices the colours, but speaks them.
Liesel still held the book. She gripped it tighter as the snow turned orange. On one of the rooftops, she could see a small boy, sitting, looking at the sky. 'His name was Werner', she said.

Book Review: The Diary Of A Young Girl, by Anne Frank

Anne Frank, a Jewish teenage girl is forced to go into hiding with her family during Nazi regime. Fortwo years they live in "Secret Annexe" the recluse named by Anne, with four other Jews. What starts with the chirpy and girly experiences of Anne, her diary graduates towards the hopes, yearning for freedom, teenage tiff with parents and gloom of a caged youth.
I have read about the World Wars in history classes during school and could only understand that the countries were fighting; some good some bad but never could have known the agony of children like Anne, their innocence and dreams torn apart by war and hatred. Her words changed my thoughts that there was no good or bad, but only suffering. Anne Frank was a brave young girl and her strength shines throughout the book. Her story should be known by all humanity.

Book Review: Brida, by Paulo Coelho

Brida is young girl of Irish origins, who goes to a wise person Magus to learn about magic & find answers which she believes are hidden in magic and miracles. He challenges her sleep alone at night in a scary forest, making her believe in her own faith on God and warding off her fears. As quoted in the book, the night is just a part of the day. She then meets a witch who teaches her the rituals to find the Gift of magic. Brida goes through dreams of her earlier lives and the question of finding her soul mate perpetuates strongly. She is revealed to the truth that one can have more than one soul mate in this life. She would be wrong many times but one day she will see him through the light in his eyes. As quoted in the book, Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong / Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. She goes on with her real and the magical world, knowing about love, passion and pain of loss. She finds her love and her soul mate. She goes through the witches Sabbath to accept her Gift. At the end it is her heart which chooses the best for her.

Characters:

Brida – the protagonist, young Irish girl

Magus – A wizard

Wicca – a witch and Brida’s teacher

Lorens – Brida’s lover

Points of Magic: Brida’s trances when she sees candlelight, the witch’s Sabbath, the fact that you see the light on left shoulder of your soul mate, Brida’s awakening of all senses during passionate moments, Brida’s trance of reincarnation.

As quoted in the book:

That every moment in life is an act of faith.

You can only know a good wine if you have first tasted a bad wine.