The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This book is amazing!!! I read almost all of it on Easter Sunday and finished with tears in my eyes for the last 25 pages. The narrator of this story is death, but the protagonist is a child who steals books from Nazi book burnings. Her voice and heart-breaking story is so endearing. Zusak's book has been marketed to young adults in some countries, but was released as an adult novel in the United States. It reminded me a lot of Jonathan Safron Foer's style, especially with the graphic sections and switches in point of view. I highly recommend this amazing book. You will not be able to put it down.

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Another classic I have long overlooked. This one shows up on the AP test frequently enough that I decided to check it out - especially because I have had students who said it was their favorite book. What a great story. I loved all of the ideas about beauty and art and recognized many often quoted lines of Wilde's. I am so glad I took the time to read this book.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Here is a classic that I never got around to reading. Although I knew the general plot, I found Flaubert's descriptive style engaging and enjoyed reading Emma's story.