Why am I passionate about this?
I’ve always loved novels that reinvent and refresh history and legends. They take these building blocks of culture and make them personal and emotional. These novels breathe new life into ancient tales and historical events, so they resonate with relevance. They reveal hidden depths and connections within familiar stories, transforming them into vibrant tales. This genre makes legend and history feel personal by taking me on one character’s unique journey, transforming the exploration of the past into a deeply engaging experience.
Irving's book list on refresh legends, myths, and historical events
Why did Irving love this book?
This novel doesn’t reinvent history, but it does something I found just as engaging. It gave me a deeply emotional experience of a historical event; as the story unfolds, you feel the personal impact of Nazi Germany and World War II on the life of an ordinary young girl.
You also get a 2nd perspective on this tragic time, just as emotional, through the story’s narrator, Death. This unconventional lens used to witness this dark time in history made every detail of this novel emotional and moving.
31 authors picked The Book Thief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.
'Life affirming, triumphant and tragic . . . masterfully told. . . but also a wonderful page-turner' Guardian
'Brilliant and hugely ambitious' New York Times
'Extraordinary' Telegraph
___
HERE IS A SMALL FACT - YOU ARE GOING TO DIE
1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier.
Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall.
SOME IMPORTANT…