The book opened -- a gust of wind

I'm passionate about juvenile fiction - it's the genre I hope to write in one day. Coming of age stories move me like little else and the journey from childhood to adulthood is fascinating to me. I think it probably has something to do with the fact that my own was so awkward and confusing and my love for tweens and teens that ties these together.

I am currently reading a novel by Marcus Zusak called "The Book Thief" about a young German girl coming of age during WWII. It's different, engaging and has some of the most extraordinary prose I've encountered. It is books like this that keep me from beginning my own, they are so intimidating I could only dream of one day penning such depth.

I remembered that I had documented the quotes I loved from "The Princess and the Goblin" here and so I thought I'd do the same with these.

The title of this post is the first quote - short, but so incredible in the way it captures how I feel when reading a story - "the book opened - a gust of wind". This is how story engages my soul. I literally feel my hair blow back when I pick up a good novel. This idea is so rich, I instantly fell in love with it.

The next quote is in reference to the main character, Liesel, who is struggling with reading and constantly mocked for her disability.

"She was the book thief without the words.

Trust me, though, the words were on their way. And when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like the rain."

The words were on their way. For as intimidating as the first quote was, this one gave me hope. The words were on their way. Beautiful.

The picture of wringing words from the clouds like rain - this is what a good novel does for me. It deepens the pool of my soul. Wonderful, wonderful.

Thank you Mr. Zusak.