Go out and buy it, order it, whatever. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

It's about a little German girl named Liesel as she grows up in Nazi Germany. And it's a perfect example of how a speculative conceit (in this case, the narrator is Death) can help shed light and open up ways of thinking that are different from realistic fiction writing.

This story really touched me. The writing is lyrical and poetic and gritty as the same time. No punches pulled. No holds barred.

As the last line says in the voice of Death:

"I am haunted by humans."

I am haunted by this book. Highly, highly recommended.