Liesel crossed the bridge over the Amper River. The water was glorious and emerald and rich. She could see the stones at the bottom and hear the familiar song of water. The world did not deserve such a river.

I have to say that although it broke my heart, I was, and still am, glad I was there.

Just be patient, she told herself, and with the mounting pages, the strength of her writing fist grew.

...to swear with a ferocity that can only be described as a talent.

They were glued down, every last one of them. A packet of souls. Was it fate?Misfortune?Is that what glued them down like that?Of course not.Let's not be stupid.It probably had more to do with the hurled bombs, thrown down by humans hiding in the clouds.

I'd been in love with her for years. I never left this suburban town. I didn't go to university. I went to Audrey.

You should give it to Max, Liesel. See if you can leave it on the bedside table, like all the other things." Liesel watched him as if he'd gone insane. "How, though?" Lightly, he tapped her skull with his knuckles. "Memorize it. Then write it down for him.