Sans Rires

I missed it by one day, but I'm going to go ahead and write this anyways.

I just finished a book called The Book Thief. I am determined at this point in my life to be reading one book for enjoyment whilst also doing my school work. I picked this one up about two weeks ago and just finished it. It's a good book. I recommend it. But believe me, it will be more of an education than an enjoyment over many books you will read in your life time.

I almost don't want to tell you what the book is about if you don't already know...Perhaps have you read it akin to the first time I went to the museum of tolerance in LA. I didn't know what the museum was. I knew it existed. I knew it was educational. I didn't know I'd learn what the holocaust was that day. ALL that it entailed. If it's one thing, the museum of tolerance is thorough and poignant. Little did I know it would incite in me a fervor to never underestimate the cruelty of man ever again. I would say that I have never known a cruel thing in my life...but especially so after I was educated that day.

What have I learned from this book and it's main spur of plot? The standard quotes I suppose. Learn from the past. Don't discriminate. Always be suspicious of men who speak all too pleasantly to your ears. Your decisions matter and (I especially learned this from the book thief) you have to stand up for them no matter how much it hurts...even when you are one in a crowd that will bring you pain for it.

I've never seen someone die in front of my very eyes...nor someone almost about to die. I've seen old men who are waiting for it and I've been to funerals...but it's not the same. Sometimes I feel like I aught to know? But no one really does...foolish human curiosity. The closest I've ever gotten to it is a song by Kimya Dawson bless her soul. It's called '12/26'. I'll give you a link to a video of that song on youtube...however know it is very graphic and not for the faint of heart...at the same time I feel all should listen to it at least once. It's not about war and it's not about the holocaust...but I feel the devastation is close. -> the video.

It deserves to be mourned. It deserves the wails of despair and agony that are burgeoning out of your heart and soul to blast at the world and the forces behind it. HOW? How can we allow these things to happen? WHAT is to be done? WHO is responsible?

Sadly it depends...and often there is no answer at all.

When I've done a book review in the past I'll usually make fun of it or give my favorite quotes. I can't bring my humor to laugh at the holocaust, I apologize, but I will share my favorite quote: "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 and stories so damning and brilliant."

Oh there are cruel men out there alright. But there is good. Believe it or not, it starts with each individual. But that's all I'm going to say. Know that I am determined not to repeat the past. Yesterday was the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. I hope we remember it. I'm glad I picked up this book when I did.