CHOOSE HYPERBOLE

Wordsmiths and politicians are known for hyperbole. So are bloggers who want to get a point across to readers!

In 1816 Thomas Jefferson sent the message, "I cannot live without books," to John Adams.
Was that fact or hyperbole? For readers it probably reads as fact but in truth it's a greatly exaggerated quote used to express Jefferson's love for books.

I, as most librarians, have a propensity for the written word as well. 

Librarians lean toward literature. Fact or hyperbole? Probably fact. But these days many are information techies so maybe it's hyperbole for us "old schoolers!"

Readers have chosen genres---mystery, science fiction, biographies, etc. 

I have a predisposition for "quirky" books. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Keeper of the Bees. Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen.

Many of my quirky choses are books with love and appreciation of books as an underlying theme.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore. The Book Thief. 84 Charing Cross Road.

Last month I added a new one to the list.

A warm cuppa and The Reader on the 6.27. 

I had died and gone to heaven! 

Ooops, I hope I chose hyperbole...because I want to finish that book.

"Trusted Book Review"---Do you trust me?

12/19/13 Trust me---always read a book prior to seeing the movie. Let the author's words create your own mental images, not Hollywood.

 I actually read parts of the book years ago as a review for some of my high school students. I knew I would return to it in the future. My future was 2013. The reading began with an audio book. The reader was excellent but I kept a print copy bedside because some of Max's illustrations/writings added to the charm of the book.

Note: Both print & audio books were checked out from my local library. I'm a grateful library patron.

As much as I liked the Book Thief  by Marcus Zusak, I can understand why others would not. 

Understandably the holocaust topic is too grim for some readers. The book also has profanity, though much of it is in German and when translated, probably means dirty, filthy pig.

NYTimes review was not exactly favorable. "A little fussy---with some slack moments. Needs to be more certain of own strength. Young-adult fiction."

"It deplores human misery. It celebrates the power of language. It may encourage adolescents to read." Maybe that's why it tugged at my heart."

Regardless of the NYX  review I found the book riveting. Set during the holocaust and narrated by "Death," the novel is gripping as are most stories set during that horrific time.  

The author's words were powerful, yet realistic. 

I'm so glad I read it before I saw the movie!