For You Fridays

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

"I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day...or wondering who did the heart breaking and wondering why."

Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

I absolutely love this book; it's such a raw and emotional book that is explored through the letters/journal entries of the awkward and loveable MC Charlie. This book really touches me and hits me right in the heart. There are so many messages and hardships explored throughout that reveal the reality of this book and the life of a teen who struggles to fit in at school and understand the way things work. I also think that Perks allows people to discover mental illness (PTSD, Anxiety) through the character who is struggling with it's eyes and the effect it has on their lives. I definitely recommend this.

If You're Lucky Review

Rating: ✭✭✭

Title: If You're Lucky
Author: Yvonne Prinz
Genre: YA, Mystery, Contemporary, Mental Illness
Publication: October 25, 2015
Format: Arc E-galley, 288 pages
Source: Thanks to Algonquin Books for sending me a copy of If You're Lucky by Yvonne Prinz

Georgia's brother Lucky drowns while surfing in Australia, but Georgia knows her brother. She knows that he couldn't have drowned. When all his friends come down to False Bay and host a memorial, Georgia meets Fin. A charismatic and charming boy claiming to be Lucky's best friend. 
The voice in her head begin to tell her that she can't trust Fin, that he killed Lucky. In an attempt to make these voices clearer, Georgia stops taking her medication and sacrifices her sanity.

If You're Lucky was a good book and had many elements that I liked enough to give 3 stars but I just thought it was lacking build up and energy. Being in a genre of mystery, I would expect a lot of tension and the feeling of needing to continue reading, but there was none of that. It had the perfect amount of twists and turns to keep me engaged but I never really felt like I was fully enjoying the book or really invested in what was happening. Even at the end, everything kind of just happened and I was confused because it wasn't very clear. Despite this, I believe that it's a difficult feat to tackle a mental disorder like schizophrenia head on but If You're Lucky has portrayed this perfectly and realistically.

Georgia investigates Fin as she begins to notice strange behaviour, but as her actions and moods become completely unstable, it becomes a challenge for the reader to determine reality from fabrication. Writing this through Georgia, the MC with the mental disorder, was a really amazing aspect of the novel because it kept me guessing throughout. I found myself more invested in what Georgia was going to do and how she would react rather than caring about what Fin would do next or how the story was progressing. Sadly, the plot was quite predictable for me, even from just reading the synopsis, but I could tell that Yvonne Prinz worked hard to articulate and develop a well thought out plot because it really showed. 

Each character was a hit for me and I liked all of them because they all had a personality. Fin was probably the best character in the book because he was so charming and really fit into the role of an identity thief stealing his dead best friend's life. I didn't find it difficult reading through Georgia's perspective either and quite enjoyed her unreliability - it was fun and intriguing to be confused about whether something was happening or not in the book. 

Overall, If You're Lucky was a great read, and a unique one, as it is written through the perspective of Georgia, a sufferer of Schizophrenia and I would recommend it for anyone searching for a refreshing, mysterious and riveting read.

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The Raven Boys - Book Briefing

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family, money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

I started reading The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater last night and I'm super excited to get into this series. The whole premise seems really interesting to me and the ratings are pretty high which must mean that it has to be good, if not great. I'm not much for the paranormal genre but after reading this synopsis, I've decided to widen my horizons. I've also wanted to read this for a while due to the hype and a few years ago, I decided to pick up Maggie's other trilogy, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, (When I had an obsession with books about hunky werewolves) but I decided not to read it due to a couple of poor reviews. Hopefully, The Raven Boys will live up to my high expectations and if I enjoy this I will most likely read Maggie's other series too.

I'll update you when I finish this and include a brief review too. Comment if you've read this or want to.

Quote Compendium: We Were Liars

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is my one of my favourite books and expectedly, there are many quotes that I love and would like to share with you. Also, If you are intending to read this book be very aware that this will reveal spoilers and highly recommend you do not spoil yourself for this book.

Note: I have the paperback version with 225 pages by publishing company Allen & Unwin

Suffer.
You could say it means endure, but that's not exactly right.
- C2, P4

Then he pulled out a handgun and shot me in the chest. I was standing on the lawn and I fell. The bullet hole opened wide and my heart rolled out of my rib cage and down into a flower bed. Blood gushed rhythmically from my open wound,
then from my eyes,
my ears, 
my mouth.
It tasted like salt and failure. The bright red shame of being unloved soaked the grass in front of our house, the bricks of the path, the steps of the porch. My heart spasmed among the peonies like a trout.
- C2, P5

He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee. I could have looked at him forever.
- C4, P10

We looked at the sky. So many stars, it seemed like a celebration, a grand, illicent party the galaxy was holding after the humans had been put to bed.
- C8, P21

"Can I hold your hand?" he asked.
I put mine in his.
"The universe is seeming really huge right now," he told me. "I need something to hold on to."
"I'm here."
- C8, P21

We were warm and shivering,
and young and ancient,
and alive.
- C9, P24

Silence is a protective coating over pain
- C11, P29

Someone once wrote that a novel should deliver a series of small astonishments. I get the same thing spending an hour with you.
- C11, P30

I'll be fine, they tell me.
I won't die.
It'll just hurt a lot/
- C13, P34

Does she stay because she loves him as meat loves salt?
Or does she stay because he has now promised her the kingdom?
It is hard for her to tell the difference.
- C16, P45

She is sugar. She is curiosity and rain.
- C23, P64

Be a little kinder than you have to.
- C38, P101

 Do not accept an evil you can change.
- C38, P101

Alway do what you're afraid to do.
- C38, P102

One day, she ventured to the palace library and was delighted to find what good company books could be.
- C40, P105

If you want to live where people are not afraid of mice, you must give up living in palaces.
- C40, P106

Life feels beautiful that day.
The four of us Liars, we have always been.
We always will be.
- C45, P122

This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.
- C45, P122

That first day you came back I noticed Gat. He looked at you like you were the brightest planet in the galaxy.
- C50, P132

Now he was free to go forth and make a name for himself in the wide, wide world.
And maybe, 
just maybe,
he'd come back one day, 
and burn that
fucking
palace
to the ground.
- C57, P148

Grow up Cadence. See the world as it is, not as you wish it would be.
- C67, P173

What if we could stop being
different colours, different backgrounds, and just be in love?
What if we could force everyone to change?
- C71, P180

He was a person who couldn't fake a smile but smiled often.
- C71, P180

Gat and I talked to Mirren and Johnny.
Convinced them to take action.
We told each other
over and over: do what you are afraid to do.
We told each other.
Over and over, we said it.
We told each other
we were right.
- C71, P181

A self-punishment. He built himself a home that isn't a home. It's deliberately uncomfortable.
- C71, P183

"I can't even say sorry," she tells me. "There is not even a Scrabble word for how bad I feel."
- C74, P189

She confused being spartan with being charitable, and gave away her possessions without truly doing good with them.
She confused being sick with being brave, and suffered agonies while imagining she merited praise for it.
She confused wit with intelligence, and made people laugh rather than lightening their hearts or making them think.
- C79, P197

Here I am frozen, when I deserve to burn.
- C82, P209

Be sad, be sorry - but don't shoulder it.
- C84, P216

My full name is Cadence Sinclaie Eastman.
I suffer migraines. I do not suffer fools.
I like a twist of meaning.
I endure.
- C87, P225

Your Voice Is All I Hear Review

Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Title: Your Voice Is All I Hear
Author: Leah Scheier
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Publication: September 1, 2015
Format: Arc E-galley, 336 pages
Source: Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Fire for sending me a copy of this novel.

"It's not like other illnesses. A person who is sick with cancer has the support of the community. Everyone bands together and tries to help. Friends organise runs for a cure and put together and put together bake sales and blood drives. Next door neighbours bring tuna casseroles to the patient's family.

There are no casseroles for schizophrenia," I said.

- April, page 306

After meeting Jonah, the new boy at school, April immediately feels a connection and soon begin a relationship - and a good one. Then Jonah begins to slip into darkness and begins to lose a grip on reality that endangers himself and April, but April won't leave him. She decides to whatever she can to help him and protect him, even though everyone is telling her to let him go. April learns about sacrifice and loyalty, and how her love for one boy can make her change the way she sees and hears life.

Your Voice Is All I Hear was definitely not what I was expecting and a complete winner; it tackles the mental illness of Schizophrenia in very engaging way. I loved the whole idea of the story, which I will explain later, because it was very well written and thought of. I thought that Leah Scheier had a very realistic portrayal of Schizophrenia. I have read other books that feature Schizophrenia but never realised how intense it really was because I found it quite a new and shocking experience to read. Leah also did this thing where the narrator and main character April changed tenses and then she began to speak about Jonah in a different tone which completely sucked me in and from there I just had to keep on reading.

Your Voice Is All I Hear had an amazing plot line. I was really fooled by the sappy and romantic beginning which then transitioned into an amazing last half. It was extremely well paced and kept me, as a reader, engaged throughout. This also added a mystery element to it which I really loved. Others may dislike the romantic beginning, but I think that it really made this book. It 'complemented' the illness aspect of the book as it helped the readers distinguish the mannerisms and behaviours of schizophrenic individuals to others who are witnessing it. It made the expression of April and Jonah's emotions easier.

Ava was a very flat and lacking character, I couldn't get any emotion or depth out of her. That may have been because I found her naivety very annoying when it came to Jonah and his illness. I also found that a lot of the characters were stereotypical too (of course April would have an extremely attractive best friend with legs-for-days and perfect hair). On the more positive side, I think that the characters reactions towards Jonah's illness was portrayed quite well and plausible.

Your Voice Is All I Hear is a raw and fascinating novel that doesn't romanticise mental illness and portrays it in a different and realistic light. I would really recommend this.

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For You Friday

This book is an absolute favourite of mine and highly doubt that you won't like love it. It is packed with adventure, fantasy and a heart-warming romance (or two).

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

You can see my review that I already posted to know about my thoughts and recommendations in more depth. Cassandra's style of writing is amazing and the characters she has created are obsession-worthy. I love the historical fiction element, which is one of my favourite genres as well the fantasy world. The shadowhunter world created in Clockwork Angel is surely a winner for all fantasy lovers as it is complete with angels, werewolves, demons, warlocks and so many more.

Enjoy,

Georgia

MY BOOKISH PET PEEVES

I thought I would share a few (considering how many of them there are) of my bookish pet peeves that extremely annoy me for a bit of entertainment. I was thinking, imagine if publishers actually saw some these 'Bookish Pet Peeves'. Us book lovers would have a ball! Anyways, let's get to it.

1. Apples, Oranges, Garden Tools

Okay, okay, so apples and oranges are fruits right, but what has garden tools have to do with fruit? That's right, nothing. Absolutely nothing. My point is, and I cannot stress this enough, is that nothing annoys me more than mismatching book covers. I cannot stand having different book covers for a series. The best example of mismatching book covers would have to be the Across the Universe series (which I have not read).

2. Slumps

Definition: A readers worst nightmare. Not being able to read a book because you just CAN'T. And to top it off you don't even exactly know why.
Causes: Reading too much, NO TIME, too many tv shows, no interesting books, book hangover
Symptoms: Reading the first page then putting the book down, staring longingly at your bookshelf, yelling 'WHY?!', getting easily distracted, taking months to get through just one book.

3. Spines and Ears

I'm a massive fanatic about having my books in pristine condition and when I open a book in the middle a little to forcefully, and the spine cracks, everything inside of me feels like it's about burn up and explode. Not only broken spines, but dog ears too. One of the main reasons I don't let others borrow my books is dog ears and just creased pages in general.

4. Un-heroic Heroes

Another pet peeve of mine is heroes that are just not heroic; when the character does something so incredibly stupid that clearly does not help anyone. Also, how and why are they just automatically the 'chosen one', what did they do to earn this hero title.

5. Instalove

Nothing annoys me more that things that just don't make sense, especially instalove. How? Why? You only just met them? It really annoys me when characters supposedly fall in love the first moment they see each other or because 'his eyes were the most the beautiful shade of blue' or because the story simply needs somewhere to start.

6. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding...

The one line that does it every time. I don't know if it's just me but every time I read this in a novel I scoff, roll my eyes and sigh. I just don't get it how could you possible not know you were holding a breath? Not only that, it is becoming an overly used cliche in YA novels.

7. Tacking

I would explain tacking as when authors just add in something for the sake of the novel. It just ruins the whole book which could have been doing so well until 'it was all just a lie, Susan, you're father is actually in America. He isn't dead.' What was the purpose for it, I don't know.

8. TOO SAPPY

Don't get me wrong, I love romance, but I find it really irritating when the romance is too gooey and 'melted marshmallows topped with chocolate topped with sprinkles'. When the romance is too corny and unrealistic I just find myself dreading reading it. Unneeded love triangles also. The concept is over used and more than often, just a way to get the plot moving.

Kissing In America Review

Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Title: Kissing in America

Author: Margo Rabb

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

Publication: May 26, 2015

Format: Arc E-galley, 397 pages

Source: Thanks to Penguin Teen Australia for sending me a copy of this book

So I guess this essay is supposed to be about what's influenced me the most, but I think sometimes the biggest influence isn't what's present in your life, but what's absent. Those missing pieces that shape you and change you, the silences that are louder than noise.

- Will, page 20

To cope with the amount of grief and loss Eva felt, and still feels, from her father's death she reads romance novels. A lot of romance novels. Then, Eva meets Will, the only person who seems to share a understanding of her grief with her and all the fantasies she's read in her novels begin to come true. But then Will moves to California and Eva can't bear to feel the weight of another loss so she plans a road trip across America with her best friend Annie where they learn that love isn't everything and the real importance of family and friends.

Despite being completely fooled by this title, thinking there was going to be a tonne of romance, I really enjoyed this book. I loved Margo Rabb's style of writing, she did such an excellent job portraying each characters emotion's and thoughts clearly. I also thought that incorporating an underlying focus on friendship and family was a good addition. The road trip aspect of Kissing In America was engaging, but I felt that Eva's obsession and love for pushed it to the side and her 'love' for him became a little overbearing to read.

Margo Rabb had an extremely clever plot line to convey the main idea of the story - the mixture of the road trip along with it's stops and the competition that the MC and her friend were apart of were a fun read. Eva's plan to go all over the world just to see Will after she first met him felt a bit naive and obsessive at first, but as the novel went on, it made a lot more sense and was another part of Eva discovering relationships and herself. The ending of this book was very satisfying and finally, I've found another book where the romance doesn't end picture perfect and I'm glad that our MC was able to figure out that she doesn't need a boy (or girl in other cases) to feel loved.

My favourite thing about Kissing In America would definitely have to be the characters. I applaud Margo for writing such likeable characters that have such depth and personality. Eva was such a great main character because she was so relatable and really captures the reality and voice of a teenager trying to cope with grief and learning more about herself and others that she didn't know. I also thought she was a very realistic character because she was at times extremely naive and sensitive but also smart and flawed in a good way. All the other characters were great additions to this book and had fascinating side stories that made for humorous and clever plot-fillers and motivators. 

Overall, Kissing In America is a wonderful book about self-discovery and coping with grief and loss and I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a fresh contemporary young adult book with a hint of romance and an adventure. 

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For You Fridays

I just recently posted a review for This Raging Light, so feel free to read that for a more in depth recommendation/review. 

This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she's about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend's brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure's soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

I loved every moment of reading This Raging Light. Estelle has this beautiful and artistic way of writing that makes reading this such a nice experience. The characters are great, the plot is great and the emotions that I felt whilst reading this ranged from melting-inside to why-Estelle-why. Overall, I highly recommend this heart-warming contemporary read.          

52 Likes Book Review

Rating: ✭✭✭

Title: 52 Likes

Author: Medeia Sharif
Genre: YA, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

Publication: Jan 16 2015

Format: Arc E-Galley, 172 pages

Source: Thanks to Evernight Teen for sending me a copy of 52 Likes through Netgalley.

"I am alive. I had survived that night."

- page 177

Valerie only wanted to go to the party, she didn't want to be a victim of rape. Now she is plagued with the feelings of victimhood as well as the bullying from the kids at school after a few racy photos leaked. To make things worse, Valerie is beginning to see ghost-like figures in the shadows that she believes are the ghosts of the girls who are victims of her masked rapist. Not only that, but girls have started to send her creepy messages, all with 52 likes, asking her to help them.

Personally, I had a problem with Medeia Sharif's writing style. It felt clumsy, rushed and wasn't able to convey emotion and mood properly. With the kind of plot that 52 Likes had, a longer story was needed to portray the mystery and build up more tension. The lack of depth in the writing made me feel disconnected and I didn't care about what was going to happen in the story. On a more positive note, Medeia incorporated many messages in the writing such as staying strong, the power of determination and the ability to not give up through the difficult topic of rape; which I am extremely glad she addressed and addressed well.

The premise for 52 Likes sounded so promising, but once I read it I was disappointed. At first, I was immediately drawn into the plot with the opening scene, but from there I felt the book went downhill. The idea had so much potential and I applaud Medeia for this unique idea but I think that a little improvement could have been made in the conveying of it. It just seemed to lack the suspense it needed to give it that little boost and complement the 'mystery' element of the novel. I enjoyed the sense of drama that the supernatural element added. It was refreshing to read a good creepy book that made my spine tingle. The realness of the situation was also a very good aspect of the book. It didn't sugar coat the horribleness of rape and the effect it's repercussions have on its victims.

Valerie, the main character, had a vey strong personality and a vigorous determination to live her life not feeling like a victim. Apart from this, she was a bit flat. I wanted to relate to her, I really did, but I just couldn't. Whenever she felt upset or afraid, I didn't feel any empathy and it ruined the experience of reading this. I also disliked how Valerie insulted others constantly and picked on them because of the way it did; it was very annoying and I developed a love/hate relationship with her. 

All in all, 52 Likes was an okay book. It discussed harsh topics that people need to understand and a very unique idea that I enjoyed reading about. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick thriller.

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Quote Compendium: The Book Thief

Whilst reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, I found so many beautiful quotes that I want to share with everyone. Be aware of spoilers, they may appear here and there, if you're thinking of reading this novel anytime soon, or watching the movie. Also, the page number is included with each quote and the chapter name.


Small note: I have the Picador paperback edition with 584 pages with the motion picture cover.

A Small Theory:

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

- Page 5, Death and Chocolate

A Definition Not Found In The Dictionary: 

Not leaving: An act of trust and love, often deciphered by children.
- Page 38, The Woman with the Iron Fist

Rudy was always destined to be Liesel's best friend. A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.
- Page 50, The Kiss

The Only Thing Worse Than A Boy Who Hates You:

A boy who loves you.
- Page 53, The Kiss

He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world.
She was the book thief without 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.
- Page 85, The Heavyweight Champion of the Schoolyard

Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness.
- Page 91, A Girl made of Darkness

I guess humans like to watch a little destruction. Sandcastles, houses of cards, that's where they begin. Their great skill is their capacity to escalate.
- Page 118, 100% Pure German Sweat

A Small But Noteworthy Note:

I've seen so many young men over the years who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They're running at me.
- Page 189, The Accordionist

You see?
Even death has a heart.
- Page 262, The Floating Book (Part 1)

How about a kiss, Saumensch?
He stood waist-deep in the water for a few moments longer before climbing out and handing her the book. His pants clung to him, and he did not stop walking. In truth, I think he was afraid. Rudy Steiner was scared of the book thief's kiss. He must have longed for it so much. He must have loved her so incredibly hard. So hard that he would never ask for her lips again, and would go to his grave without them.
- Page 326, The Floating Book (Part 2)

Sometimes, I imagined how everything appeared above these clouds, knowing without questions that the sun was blond, and the endless atmosphere was a giant blue eye.
- Page 374, Death's Diary: The Parisians

If only she could be so oblivious again, to feel such love without knowing it, mistaking it for laughter and bread with only the scent of jam spread on top of it.
- Page 382, Champagne and Accordions

A Nice Thought:

One was a book thief.
The other stole the sky.
- Page 409, The Sky Stealer

He made three separate formations that led to the same tower of dominoes in the middle. Together, they would watch everything that was so carefully planned collapse, and they would all smile, at the beauty of destruction.
- Page 434, Dominoes and Darkness

My heart is so tired.
- Page 435, The Promise-Keeper's Wife

It kills me sometimes, how people die.
- Page 494, The Card Player

There were people everywhere on the city street, but the stranger could not have been more alone if it had been empty.
- Page 504, The Ageless Brother

The consequence of this is that I'm always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both. Still they have one thing that I envy. Humans, if nothing else, have the good sense to die.
- Page 522, One Toolkit, One Blender, One Bear

She was saying goodbye and she didn't even know it.
- Page 550, Confessions

I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.
- Page 562, The Ribcage Planes

She leaned down and looked at his lifeless face and Liesel kissed her best friend Rudy Steiner soft and true on his lips. He tasted dusty and sweet. He tasted like regret in the shadows of trees and in the glow of the anarchist's suit collection. She kissed him long and soft, and when she pulled herself away, she touched his mouth with her fingers. Her hands were trembling, her lips were fleshy, and she leaned in once more, this time losing control and misjudging it. Their teeth collided on the demolished world of Himmel Street.
Page 570, The End of the World (Part 2)

Liesel came out.
They hugged and cried and fell to the floor.
- Page 582, Max

I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race - that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words so damning and brilliant.
- Page 584, The Handover Man

I am haunted by humans.
- Page 584, The Handover Man