Here is the latest batch of my thoughts on the books I have read (or listened to) lately:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I'd give this one 5 stars out of 5--it was that good! Listening to this book was a truly moving experience--I had tears streaming down my face as I was driving down the road listening to the last CD. Our narrator--Death--tells us how he became fascinated with Liesel Meminger, a.k.a. the Book Thief, after he first became aquainted with her on a train where he took the soul of her dying brother. The story takes place in Germany in the 1940's and Liesel is on her way to live with a foster family after her mother is sent away (probably for being a communist). Liesel develops deep relationships with her foster "Momma" and "Papa"--Hans and Rosa, and with others on her street such as Rudy Steiner, a boy of about her own age (12) who becomes her best friend. Together they learn to steal to survive--though Liesel's favorite thing to steal is not food but books. She also befriends Max, the Jew who comes to secretely live in her basement and who has imaginary boxing matches with the Fuhrer. Times being what they are, you know the beautiful moments of this story can't last, and indeed the ending may very well come close to breaking your heart. But it is told in a way that shows the beauty in the sadness, and it illustrates how the darkest times can cause goodness to shine out all the more. I'd recommend it to anyone.  The audio version I listened to is excellently narrated by Allan Corduner, who does a masterful job with the voices and German words.

Rogue Male by Geoffery Household

This is an older book (published in the late 1930's) but the thrills it gives you as you read it are timeless.  The main character is a big game hunter and he, apparently on a lark, decides to try and see if he can use his big game skills to get into a position where he can assasinate a world leader. (I won't say who as the book doesn't, but it is set just before World War II). He gets caught before he can take the fatal shot and he gets in big trouble and the entire story is pretty much relates how he struggles to get away and then stay hidden from his enemies. It is a classic tale of survival against the odds and I would say "don't miss it" if you like those kinds of stories as much as I do.

The Dawn Patrol by Don Winslow

I would say I liked this one the least of these three, but it is still a good solid story with quite a bit of suspense.  It has as it's strength the way it captures the surfing culture of California.  The main character, Boone Daniels, has always been a surfer. He was also once a police officer but quit after he failed to rescue a kidnapped child. Now he does PI work--but only enough to keep him fed and out on the waves. His latest case has an uptight insurance lawyer following him around to places he never expected to go. Will he be able to solve it in time to catch the killer waves that are expected to hit the coast?
The PI story is solid but pretty standard, it is being immersed in the surfer culture that is the highlight of this book. So if you like your suspense mixed with waves check this one out.