I am going to review all the books that I read again this year. I did that in 2009 but not last year as I was bit preoccupied with other things.

The first book of 2011 is the Book thief. It was brilliant. Set in Nazi Germany, it’s a story about a young girl who steals books amongst other things. What is unique about it though is that it is narrated by death. When I was first told that I thought it would be a bit weird, I didn’t think I’d like it but it was done so well, it was fascinating. It’s a story about death and suffering, about compassion, about books and words and their power. It’s a sad story but doesn’t knock you down completely, there is something uplifting in it. It made me feel grateful for life and drew me to mindfulness, this quote especially,

People observe the colours of the day only at its beginnings and its ends, but to me it’s quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations, which each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colours. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues. Murky darkness. In my line of work, I make a point to notice them.