Next Read Club

Books Like The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak has a particular pull. Narrated by Death itself, the story of a girl who steals books in Nazi Germany and shares them with a hidden refugee.

What tends to stick with readers is its emotional and heartwarming feel. Manages to be tender and funny even while set in one of history's darkest moments. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. The Book Thief is a long, easy-paced read (reading level: easy to follow), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

Cover of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The book you loved

The Book Thief

Markus Zusak

7 books you might enjoy

  1. Cover of All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

    1.

    All the Light We Cannot See

    Anthony Doerr

    Like The Book Thief, All the Light We Cannot See is emotional. Both carry the #wwii tag. It's a more demanding read than The Book Thief.

    Long · Slow pace · Moderate

    Explore this book →Books like All the Light We Cannot See
  2. Cover of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

    2.

    The Diary of a Young Girl

    Anne Frank

    Like The Book Thief, The Diary of a Young Girl is emotional. It runs a bit longer than The Book Thief.

    Medium · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like The Diary of a Young Girl
  3. Cover of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

    3.

    The Kite Runner

    Khaled Hosseini

    The Kite Runner shares The Book Thief's emotional appeal. It runs a bit longer than The Book Thief.

    Medium · Fast pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like The Kite Runner
  4. Cover of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

    4.

    Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

    Gail Honeyman

    Like The Book Thief, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is emotional. Both carry the #heartwarming tag. It runs a bit longer than The Book Thief.

    Medium · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
  5. Cover of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

    5.

    A Man Called Ove

    Fredrik Backman

    A Man Called Ove shares The Book Thief's emotional appeal. Both carry the #heartwarming tag. It runs a bit longer than The Book Thief.

    Medium · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like A Man Called Ove
  6. Cover of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

    6.

    Klara and the Sun

    Kazuo Ishiguro

    Klara and the Sun shares The Book Thief's emotional appeal. Both carry the #unique-narrator tag. It runs a bit longer than The Book Thief.

    Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Klara and the Sun
  7. Cover of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

    7.

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

    Mark Haddon

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time shares The Book Thief's emotional appeal. Both carry the #unique-narrator tag. It's the quicker read of the two.

    Short · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

How to choose

  • Short on time? The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a quick read.
  • Want it easier? The Diary of a Young Girl is the gentlest read here.
  • Want something faster-paced? Try The Kite Runner.

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