In the twenty-first and twenty-second chapters of The Book Thief, Liesel makes a secret pact with her foster father over the second book she stole and discovers who the shadow was watching her when she stole it. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read The Book Thief.
CH. 21: THE WAY HOME
I get the distinct sense that Zusak is hinting towards a more conflicting relationship between Liesel and Hans, and in this and the next chapter, we get more of the strenuous interaction between a father who knows in his heart what is right and knows in his mind what he needs to do to keep his family alive. It doesn’t help that Liesel is becoming more and more confident about how she feels about the world, nor does it help that she is comfortable enough to be openly inquisitive with Hans Hubermann.
Chapter twenty-one opens with Liesel’s third book, but she didn’t steal to get it. Hans Hubermann brings her Mein Kampf and it’s obvious that his interaction with Hans Junior was enough to inspire this moment, but Death hints that a lot more happened to bring that book to the Hubermann household.
The narrative jumps right back to the end of the last chapter and, the burning unbearable, Liesel finally has to stop and remove the smoldering book from her chest. Unsurprisingly, while Hans is a bit shocked, he doesn’t seem very angry:
“Looks like,” Papa suggested, “I don’t need to trade any more cigarettes, do I? Not when you’re stealing these things as fast as I can buy them.”
Liesel, by comparison, did not speak. Perhaps it was her first realization that criminality spoke best for itself. Irrefutable.
Liesel’s guilt is magnified by Hans’s reaction, which was, at first, a shocked silence as he poured through the pages, unsure what The Shoulder Shrug was even about. But when he swears and Liesel is confused as to the reason why, I suddenly become perplexed. (I’m actually avoiding Googling to see if it’s a real book because I want the surprise to be more genuine, so please don’t tell me anything about this book.) Why is he reacting this way? What is this book about? Why does he become so upset?
This time, his voice was like a fist, freshly banged on the table.
The man was seeing something. He was watching it quickly, end to end, like a race, but it was too high and too far away for Liesel to see. She begged him. “Come on, Papa, what is it?” She fretted that he would tell Mama about the book. As humans do, this was all about her. “Are you going to tell?”
I like that Liesel is oblivious to what’s really going on here, instead choosing to believe that Papa’s confusion or anger is over her, when he’s really upset about the book itself. Even Hans is a bit bewildered that THIS is the question she chooses to ask instead and quickly confirms that he would do no such thing. Death gives us an aside at this point, providing the context I spoke about earlier. For Hans Hubermann, he can see that Liesel’s newest stolen book is a manifestation of Hans Junior’s pointed question from before: “And what trash is this girl reading?”
Frightened about the implications of this new book, he tells Liesel that this particular book must be a secret, only to be read at night and never discussed with anyone else besides her father.
“We’ll read it at night or in the basement, just like the others–but you have to promise me something.”
“Anything, Papa.”
The night was smooth and still. Everything listened. “If I ever ask you to keep a secret for me, you will do it.”
“I promise.”
Oh man, what is Hans Hubermann hiding? I don’t think this is a reference specifically to this book that Liesel has stolen. We know that Hans is not a member of the Nazi party, that he did something to make them throw out his application, and that he harbors a resentment of the Nazis and Hitler, but only seems to talk about it with his own son. I’m guessing that in the near future, he’ll have to confide in Liesel and we’ll learn why he told her this.
Within the next few days, unbeknownst to Liesel, Hans actually secures a copy of Mein Kampf and visits the office of the Nazi party in town to discuss his membership again. It’s not spelled out entirely, but I’m beginning to get a fuller picture of Hans Hubermann. When he leaves the Nazi office, he overhears one of the men inside say, “He will never be approved even if he buys a hundred copies of Mein Kampf.” I think that they are referring to Hans painting over the houses of Jewish citizens in Molching, yes? (As I typed that, I suddenly doubted that it was Hans who had done that. Am I correct?)
What I didn’t expect, though, is that Hans had a much different motive than I expected for buying that book:
There must have been a good share of mixed feelings at that moment, for Hans Hubermann’s idea had not only sprung from Liesel, but from his son. Did he already fear he’d never see him again? On the other hand, he was also enjoying the ecstasy of an idea, not daring just yet to envision its complications, dangers, and vicious absurdities. For now, the idea was enough. It was indestructible. Transforming it into reality, well, that was something else together. For now, though, let’s let him enjoy it.
Damn it. What on earth is he planning?
CH 22: THE MAYOR’S LIBRARY
It’s kind of nice that The Book Thief is breaking from the norm of things I read and watch that are repeatedly full of SHIT JUST GOT REAL moments. This book has a much slower progression than what I’ve done in the past, and it’s great to do new things. This is why this specific chapter is so powerfully hopeful and shocking. I didn’t expect this. This doesn’t feel like a book full of plot twists, so it makes what happens here all the more exciting.
For Liesel, despite the relief of Hans assuring her that he won’t tell Rosa that she stole another book, she is wrecked with guilt and paranoia. The problem is that someone ELSE saw her steal the book. And that other person will not be as easy to convince as Hans was.
Every minute, every hour, there was worry, or more to the point, paranoia. Criminal activity will do that to a person, especially a child. They envision a prolific assortment of caughtoutedness. Some examples: People jumping out of alleys. Schoolteachers suddenly being aware of every sin you’ve ever committed. Police showing up at the door each time a leaf turns or a distant gate slams shut.
HAHAHAHA OK HOW MANY OF YOU EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME THING. Ok, my mother was ruthlessly strict, most of the time for things that did not deserve her ire, but if I did manage to do something wrong, this is pretty much exactly how my brain worked. I believed that the police would come arrest me simply because I ate a cookie out of the kitchen pantry and that they had hid cameras inside just to catch me. No, this probably wasn’t all that healthy, but my nine-year-old mind most certainly couldn’t comprehend the inner-workings of the criminal court system in California. I just believed that everyone could watch me and I would always get in trouble. LOL I WAS A WELL-ADJUSTED KID LOL
Reading this a second time (I always read it again before I review the chapter), I can’t believe how unbearably obvious this reveal was, yet I seriously had no clue about it. I couldn’t figure out why Liesel was so terrified to visit the Mayor’s house. I assumed that she was afraid of them rejecting her mother’s services and having to deal with Rosa’s fury again. Or maybe she was just creeped out by the Mayor’s wife. She even specifically avoids this house and gets caught by Rosa, who orders her to return to the mayor’s house and bring back his washing or she is not to come home at all.
Of course, she goes straight to Rudy Steiner in her time in need. Asking him to accompany her to the mayor’s house, Liesel slowly comes to the realization that she is going to have to deal with the people at this house. (SERIOUSLY, HOW DID I NOT SEE THIS). The walk to the house itself is unbearable, awkward, and tense, Liesel dreading the moment more and more each minute. I loved that Rudy teased and taunted her about her inability to merely knock on the door, but I think that’s because I didn’t see the obvious here. She never speaks and she always just hands her washing over. Why was she so upset about it this time? Why was Liesel so frightened?
It seemed that nothing out of the ordinary would happen this time either. The mayor’s wife answers the door, as she always does, unspeaking and silent. The wife hands over the clothing and the money, and the two stare at each other, almost as if they are sizing each other up. Then the mayor’s wife closes the door. That’s it. Liesel remains staring at the door while Rudy calls out to her to get going and then:
Perhaps the woman hadn’t seen her steal the book after all. It had been getting dark. Perhaps it was one of those times when a person appears to be looking directly at you when, in fact, they’re contentedly watching something else or simply daydreaming. Whatever the answer, Liesel didn’t attempt any further analysis. She’d gotten away with it and that was enough.
Seriously, I can’t believe how obvious this was. IT WAS THE MAYOR’S WIFE, NOT DEATH. But let’s just say that you were not like me and you figured that out immediately because, I don’t know, YOU PAY ATTENTION. This “reveal” is nothing to what happens after this. Death’s aside states that the mayor’s wife had absolutely seen Liesel steal that book from the fire. She’s just waiting for the right time. DUN DUN DUN.
That “right” time is weeks later, when Liesel has abandoned her need to bring Rudy with her. Alone and on a pick-up day, the mayor’s wife takes advantage of the situation and actually invites Liesel inside. Liesel guesses that the mayor’s wife is just going to bring back the washing and she is temporarily relieved this is not a confrontation of sorts.
When she came and stood with an impossibly frail steadfastness, she was holding a tower of books against her stomach, from her navel to the beginnings of her breasts. She looked so vulnerable in the monstrous doorway. Long, light eyelashes and just the slightest twinge of expression. A suggestion.
Come and see, it said.
BOOKS. SHE HAS BOOKS. She has no interest in confronting Liesel. She wants to help her. O H M Y G O D
Just…holy shit. The next scene. THE NEXT SCENE.
The mayor’s wife was not deterred. She only looked briefly behind and continued on, to a chestnut-colored door. Now her face asked a question.
Are you ready?
Liesel craned her neck a little, as if she might see over the door that stood in her way. Clearly, that was the cue to open it.
This has to be my favorite part of the whole book so far:
“Jesus, Mary….”
She said it out loud, the words distributed into a room that was full of cold air and books. Books everywhere! Each wall was armed with overcrowded yet immaculate shelving. It was barely possible to see the paintwork. There were all different styles and sizes of lettering on the spines of the back, the red, the gray, the every-colored books. It was one of the most beautiful things Liesel Meminger had ever seen.
I really don’t see how anyone could ever adapt this book into a film, but I’m pretty sure if it was done, I would simply weep during this part. We’ve already discussed how meaningful and important books are to Liesel’s life and for a lot of us as well. Could you imagine being deprived of books to the point of having to steal them in order to read them and then being introduced to THIS?!?!?!?!
Even when she tried to wipe the smile away with her forearm, she realized instantly that it was a pointless exercise. She could feel the eyes of the woman traveling her body, and when she looked at her, they had rested on her face.
Knowing the mayor’s wife’s temperament, it makes this mean even more than it already does:
There was more silence than she ever thought possible. It extended like an elastic, dying to break. The girl broke it.
“Can I?”
The two words stood among acres and acres of vacant, wooden-floored land nthe books were miles away.
The woman nodded.
Yes, you can.
BE STILL, MY BLACK HEART. This is HUGE. oh my god, if I had access to something like this when I was a kid, I would have enjoyed the fact that I wasn’t allowed out of the house. THIS IS SO AMAZING.
Now, I admit to owning an iPad that I use as an e-book reader. It just works so much better for Mark Reads than a physical book. (HELLO ABILITY TO SEARCH A BOOK. I LOVE YOU.) But I’ll always love the physicality of books. I still own hundreds of them. I prefer reading regular old books than this reader I use when I get the chance. So I love that Zusak takes time to show Liesel interacting with the books in a physical manner:
She ran the back of her hand along the first shelf, listening to the shuffle of her fingernails gliding across the spinal cord of each book. It sounded like an instrument, or the notes of running feet. She used both hands. She raced them. One shelf against the other.
I STILL DO THIS. Seriously, this is like book porn or something. Nothing will ever replace the physical joy of books for me, despite the practical nature of e-readers. Liesel treats the books like the physical treasures they are, even helping the mayor’s wife put the books she was carrying back in their spot on one of the shells. And when the mayor’s wife is smiling about all of this, I know that Liesel has just reached a new chapter in her life. Overwhelmed at the newness of it all, Liesel feels so awkward about the situation. I mean…..what do you do with a discovery like this?
Liesel runs away. Reluctantly, slowly, quietly. She refuses to ruin such a perfect moment, opting instead to relish the immediate memory, maybe even plan her next visit. But even that comes into jeopardy when she realizes she left the mayor’s house without saying a single word. No plans to come back, no affirmation of joy, not even. A thank you. Just a few minutes from home, Liesel decides she cannot live with this. She bolts back to the mayor’s house in a frantic hurry, knocking on the door furiously, only to discover the mayor himself standing at the doorway. Alone. Liesel quietly stands at the stoop until Ilsa Hermann arrives:
“I forgot,” Liesel said. She lifted the bag and addressed the mayor’s wife. Despite the forced labor of breath, she fed the words through the gap in the doorway–between the mayor and the frame–to the woman. Such was her effort to breathe that the words escaped only a few at a time. “I forgot…I mean, I just….wanted,” she said, “to thank you.”
I love you, Liesel Meminger.
The mayor’s wife bruised herself again. Coming forward to stand beside her husband, she nodded very faintly, waited, and closed the door.
It took Liesel a minute or so to leave.
She smiled at the steps.
Easily the best chapter yet. I LOVE THIS BOOK.
Oh god, the library scene- CRYING ALL THE TEARS IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! It's like the scene in Beauty and the Beast when Beast gives Belle his library <3
I thought this, too. That scene left a huge impression on me when I was little.
I loved that scene. Belle's love of books plus the library made that movie for me, and it was my favorite of that era of Disney movies when I was a kid. I wore out my VHS copy of it.
That's exactly what I thought! Books and books and books and giant shelves, it's like paradise. Belle is Liesel and they are both me.
Exactly what I thought. I get chills still every time I see it.:)
I was thinking exactly the same thing!
This was exactly what I thought of too! Always my favorite part of that movie.
I thought of that scene too! I always loved Beast's library, I want one just like it. Belle was also my favorite princess as a kid, mainly because she loved books as much as I did.
Just reading your recap of the Library scene made me literally get all teary.
I really don't think your missing that the shadow was the mayor's wife is due to lack of observation. I really believe it's due to the slow chapter-a-day reading pace. If you'd been reading this at a more standard pace, you'd be reading the book-burning scene within the same hour of first being introduced to the mayor's wife, a quiet, fluffy-haired woman. And then you'd get to this scene and immediately after being told that the mayor's at the book burning, you'd be told that Liesel spotted a fluffy-haired figure watching her. No reveal necessary.
There are advantages to stretching a book out and savoring it at this pace, but as soon as I found out you'd be reading and writing about this book, it worried me. There are so many set-ups and call-backs, as well as powerful uses of parallel language in different scenes. It's hard to pick up on those things when everything is spaced out across so much time. I hope that some day you take the time to re-read the book more quickly, over the course of a day or two!
I'm really enjoying your reviews.
It's interesting how reading pace affects your perceptions of a book. I remember this coming up a lot more when Mark was reading The Hunger Games, because it really brings the choppy pacing of those books front and center. Personally, I'm really enjoying reading The Book Thief a little slower. I feel like I'm absorbing more. But I am slower to make some of these connections. I'm sure I'll have a different experience the next time I read this book.
I agree that it was your pacing, Mark. I'm reading along with you, and I did figure out it was the mayor's wife, but only because the fluffy hair seemed vaguely familiar and I went back and reread. I'm definitely going to take JeepersTseepers advice and reread sometime after we all finish. One, so I can revel in noticing these things again, and two, because I am loving this book so much!
Yeah, I also think it's the pace. I remember knowing that it was the Mayor's wife because of the description and I guess since it's been quite a while since Mark read about her, he didn't make the association.
I love this chapter so much.
I admit, I wasn't sure who had seen Liesel in the last chapter, but I thought the Mayor's Wife was a possibility. So I caught on to that almost immediately when Liesel didn't want to go pick up the washing.
The library is gorgeous and wonderful. One of my main goals in life is to have a room like that.. Even though I bought a kindle, I'm always secretly a little happy when a book isn't available on it, because it means I have to buy the physical copy. There's something about seeing a book, having a physical thing to point at on your shelf and say "I read that"
I really want to know what Hans is planning with Mein Kampf. My only guess is that he'll take the cover off and use it to disguise Liesel's other stolen books. But I hope it's something better than that.
As a passionate lover of books myself, I found tears in my eyes as I read that passage where Liesel drank in the library, feeling the textures of each spine. I do that at every bookstore I go to…just wondering at the possibilities each book has in store for me. Book porn indeed, Mark. With a lot of romance.
This is actually the first book I've ever read on an e-reader, and while convenient, it cannot replace the delicious weight of pages, the smell of print, the place of honor on my shelf. So I went out and bought it a second time, in its rightful form. The best of both worlds now.
The library scene is definitely touching. I have to say, whenever I think of a giant library my mind goes straight to Disney's Beauty and the Beast where he presents her the ballroom/library because seriously, who doesn't want that if they love books? One of my life goals is to have a home with a library– three walls lined with books, one with a giant window.
As for the rest of the chapter, I believe you are correct in your assumption that Hans painted over the slurs on Jewish houses, and this is why the Nazi party is not interested in having him. Which is painful all in its own right– the fact that kindness or doing the right thing only endangers him more in this situation.
I am right there with you on the home library. It must also have a window seat, a large couch, and a big comfy chair, with various lamps, so I can read however and wherever I want.
Yes! A fireplace also adds to the ambiance, but is also rather treacherous in a room full of books. ):
Yes, home libraries for everyone!
That scene in Beauty and the Beast! UGH, I was so excited when I saw that scene, I couldn't have been more than three years old.
Went looking for it. Couldn't find it. Made it.
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🙂
I am one up on you in that our house pretty much has a library already. There's only two walls full of books and it's freezing in there and there's no good place to sit, unfortunately, but still, I feel this is something for me to improve on later in life!
Of course our home is basically a library anyway. Books, books everywhere. It is wonderful.
I'm going to miss home when I go uni. 🙁
EDIT: Also I went and upvoted everyone in this thread because home libraries for everyone!
Well, we've got two large bookshelves that dominate our dining room, then more books in individual rooms. We've actually officially run out of shelving space and are trying to figure out where else we can install shelves because it's not like we aren't going to get more books.
I have a great uncle who used that space right next to the ceiling to place bookshelves. I think he figured that space never gets used, so why not fill it with books.
I want one too, and I agree that it has to have a huge window too. There was a reading room in one of the buildings at my college that I absolutely loved. It didn't actually have shelves of books, but they'd fit in great. It had huge paned windowns all on one wall, and there were plants everywhere and comfy chairs. If I can reproduce that in my house someday, I will be a happy woman.
I LOOOOOOOVE looking at pictures of home libraries and planning my own 🙂 There must be LOTS of natural light and it must be cozy
Definitely. I should be on the top level so you can have skylights. Those don't take up valuable wall space.
Have you SEEN the pictures of Neil Gaiman's home library? 100% book porn, right there. <a href="http://blog.shelfari.com/my_weblog/2009/09/neil.htmlhttp://blog.shelfari.com/my_weblog/2009/09/neil.h… />This gets worse when you realize that's only ONE of his libraries; apparently there is also an upstairs library in his giant Addam's family house. (I think that may be where he filmed the 'koumpounaphobia' promo for Coraline.)
I want a ladder on wheels. That may be make-or-break in the home library scenario.
Whoops! Delete, delete, delete.
Anywho, I also totally understand what Liesel's going through. I've always worried about being caught out and punished eternally for the most minor things. My single act of shoplifting was stealing a pack of stickers with a couple of friends when I was eleven, and I panicked about it for months. I could never bring myself to go back to that store again, and those freaking stickers haunted me. But I also worried about the scoldings that late library books might bring, or the tiniest pen mark in my textbooks, or letting a friend copy my homework. Like a convocation of stern adults would be called to discuss my sins and failures. UGH. I still go to sleep worrying about almost-ran red lights, and oops, I think I was going 12 miles over the speed limit around that camera — and then proceed to worry for the next couple of weeks until my $40-$75 ticket doesn't come in the mail.
Sheesh. What was this about? Right, books! I love Liesel in the library. Just letting her see and touch those books seems like the best gift that the mayor's wife could give her. It's totally the best chapter yet; everything goes right for Liesel AND we get book porn. I had such a huge smile reading the chapter and this review. By the way, the theories about the puffy-haired bystander made me laugh. It's harder to figure out who it is when more time's passed since the first laundry chapters, I think.
Same here. I was an accidental shoplifter. When I was 9, my family went to Boston and we went in a souvenir shop. There were these maps by the register that said "Take One." I took one and left. Only later did I see the price sticker. I was then convinced that the Boston police would arrest me and/or that I'd go to Hell. The guilt and terror were so great I never had a desire to shoplift on purpose. Library books and copied homework never really bothered me, but, ohgod, driving tickets. There are a couple cameras in my town that take pictures if you run the later bit of the yellow light. These cameras are flashing ALL the time. I drive so slow in that part of town to minimize my terror of getting multiple tickets for speeding or yellow lights.
Oh noooo. I'm squirming in sympathy with younger you.
As for ticketing at the end of yellow, that's bullshit. I assume it's to cut down on blocking the box, which I hate, but I can only imagine that makes the cases of rear-ending people slamming on their brakes to not get tickets even more frequent. I hope you guys at least have don't walk signs with countdowns so you know how long you have! There are cameras all over the place around here, and I have to be careful when I'm going through wealthy areas, because I swear they don't give a crap about a dumb ticket, so the flow of traffic is always at about the ticketing limit. When it's moving.
Everyone is so unprepared. I'm sorry, I just had to say it.
But like someone said further up the page, I think that this is one of the few books you can actually miss out on a lot of stuff by reading slowly. Not only who that fluffy-haired person is, but all sorts of thematic elements as well. That, and I think a lot of this book works very well if you don't really have time to question it. Reading like this and thinking about things has its advantages, but sometimes I read Mark's reviews and I just go 'hnuh?', because there are parts/phrases that he comments on that it just didn't occur to me to wonder about. It just works better if you accept what Death says and move on, IMO. Um, does that make sense? I'm trying to avoid being spoilery, so pardon the generalisation. I don't know how much of this is me knowing what happens, though.
Yeah, I'm actually of two minds about reading slowly. On the one had, you're right, sometimes you seize on small details and lose the flow of the book. But on the other, you get to savor lines that you might have just passed over. I think a slower, closer reading is better for a second time around, but it still has some benefits. Since Mark is loving the book at this pace, I'd say he's fine, but maybe people who aren't as into it should read ahead so that it's easier for them to get into the story and not get hung up on little things.
This was reported for being spoilery, so off it goes.
Ookay… I thought I was vague enough, but… *shrug*
I think that your right about just accepting it and moving on.
Some of the stuff is completely impossible to understand in context, and it's not until later that it makes sense.
Yes, I completely agree. I don't think a person should hurry through this book–it does need to be savored and delighted in–but I do think that to get the full benefit of it, it needs to be read at a faster pace then one or two chapters a day. I think reading finishing it over the course of two or three days is a good pace.
This totally is book porn, that's the perfect description. I was so delighted when I read that section, because it is WONDERFUL. All the books! The different colours of their spines, the textures and sounds and scents of wonderful wonderful literacy. So beautiful!
I was a little weepy with happiness. I was so scared after Death's aside that the mayor's wife was going to use her knowledge somehow against Liesel and the Hubermanns. But she's an ally! I'm so so so happy. I can just imagine (even though I can't imagine) how elated and shocked Liesel must be to find herself given free reign in a library. So much joy.
Meanwhile, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO, HANS HUBERMANN?????
OLD BOOK SMELL IS MY FAVOURITE SMELL. I ARE JEALOUS. Seriously there is nothing better than finding an old book and just smelling the pages. Most relaxing scent in the world ever. Nothing says comfort like an old, well-read book.
This book (sort of) has the same mood as A Series of Unfortunate Events (which were the books that got me reading, fun fact!). They all have a very strong love of books, and I think there is one part of one of the books where they are in some one's library and they know that they can trust them because of all the books that they own.
When I get a place of my own, there are 3 things I really, really want: a globe, a brown leather armchair, and floor to ceiling bookshelves stocked with books that I can run my fingers across the spines. If I get super lucky, I'd also have a bed and a bay window, but those are optional.
Obviously, this last chapter filled me with overwhelming joy. We have Rudy who is adorable and still wants kisses and we have what might be the best description ever of book porn (THG's food porn was necessary to the story, but this is something I can relate to).
My only guesses for what Hans is planning for Mein Kampf is to cut off the cover and stick Liesel's book inside. Or it's a decoy to distract people from whatever super illegal thing he has planned. Probably something with the Jews, since his painting over slurs was referenced (I think).
Ha,ha,ha, book porn? Oh man, Mark, your review did not disappoint me! I am clutching the physical copy of the book right now, gazing at the line of dominos on the cover. Don't be jealous of me, please. 😉
Anyway, I didn't realize that it was the wife that saw Liesel steal the book, either. And if something got past YOUR superhuman noticing skills, I know the author messed up with descriptions somewhere. Why in the world was the chapter called "The Mayor's Library" though!? It spoils the surprise! Call it "A Confrontation at the Mayor's Estate," or "The Silent Wife Knows!"
It's nice to have our expectations of misery overturned every once in a while. 🙂
Old book smell is the best! Well, I love new book smell, too, but those make me excited. Old books smell comfortable. Yay, book porn chapter!
It's so hard to put this book down. But I'm strong, I can do it.
Can I please have this library and all the time I need to read through it?
I hope two chapters per day is an established pattern now and it's okay to go and read two more chapters untill tomorrow.
"I STILL DO THIS. Seriously, this is like book porn or something."
Ha! I know, right? After I worked my way through college/law school, started paying down my debt, and finally had the money to buy a house, the number one thing I wanted was a library. And I designed the entire thing as my reward. To this day, nothing, NOTHING, makes me happier than just BEING in there, running my fingers across the book spines.
Huzzah to the book porn lovers! LOL
I've been reading online more recently, but I still love the feel of a dog eared book in my hand. Especially my older novels since they have that awesome aged smell to them. I prefer paperbacks to hardcover too, they just feel more right in my hand.
What? No comments on the sentences immediately following, "For now, though, let's let him enjoy it" because those next sentences read, "We'll give him seven months. Then we come for him. And oh, how we come." SHIT. What is going to happen to Hansi!
Yes, porn seems to work it's way into your reviews. First food porn, now book porn. Can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
awwww! i get visions of beauty and the beast time 1000 when reading this. my dream has always been to own a library in my house, and this chapter just reinforced it
OHMYGOD SOMEONE ELSE USED THE PHRASE "BOOK PORN!!!!!"
I used that phrase last week to describe a scene in The Thirteenth Tale, and my friends all laughed at me. But that's totally what it is.
Mark said it. I feel validated.
Also, my goal in life is to have a library with a sliding ladder. Or to live in the Beast's library.
Book Thief book porn>Hunger Games food porn
I just bought the book and caught up with you, Mark! I'm excited and I absolutely love it so far as well! (Unlike THG, I'm gonna try and stay with you this time)
Haha. I love that you thought the fluffy haired person was Death!!
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that didn't work. oh well.
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e2pZUq3rBng/TH-8e8-UkpI/AAAAAAAAALU/OqLW4RDZ6_0/s1600/fluffy.jpg">
Seriously, this is like book porn or something.
YESSSS. This is exactly what that part is like! My main thing as a kid (and as an adult, I can't lie) was smelling books. The older the book, the better the smell. Growing up my family had several bookshelves in the family room that were absolutely overflowing with books. Chances are that at some point in the day, I would sit myself down in front of a shelf and start reading everything from encyclopedias to my dad's sci-fi collection to the copy of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask that was hidden on a shelf in a basement closet (probably hiding it from me lol). I would crawl into my sister's closet where she had shelves on the left wall filled with books and just sit in the small, cramped space and read, always listening for her footsteps so I wouldn't get caught in her room. I love books so freaking much I'm getting a master's degree in them and I want to read books for a living (book editor). If a significant other ever wants to give me an amazing gift, they can forget a diamond necklace, I want a first edition of a classic.
What? I didn't hear what anyone else was saying. I was too busy drooling over those pictures (Secret Library FTW!)
I think the most influential asian actor is Tom Truong.