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I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak is a wonderful look at post-high school life.

It all starts when Ed Kennedy accidentally stops a bank robbery. A short time after that, an ace of diamonds arrives in the mail with three addresses on it. Ed has to find out what to do at each address. He often chooses to follow his instincts.

The thing I love about Ed Kennedy is that he is so incredibly relateable. He has a shitty job, a shitty house, a dog that smells shitty, and no love life to speak of. He has a few good friends, but even those veer towards shitty. If you disliked your entire life, what would you do if a mysterious playing card ended up in your mailbox?

I'd do exactly what Ed does. I'd investigate. I can't resist a good mystery and I think Zusak does a good job of having Ed be really humane. My only complaint was the ending. It didn't live up to the rest of the book.

Overall, I am the Messenger is a delightful novel.

Favorite Quotes: "My arms are killing me. I didn't know words could be so heavy."
"Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are."
"Believe it or not--it takes a lot of love to hate you like this."
"People die of broken hearts. They have heart attacks. And it's the heart that hurts most when things go wrong and fall apart."
"I want words at my funeral. But I guess that means you need life in your life."


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