1
by Colson Whitehead
4.42016306 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a harrowing yet dignified tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
10 Best Books Like The Book Thief
If you loved The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Book Thief are:
- 1The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead4.4
- 2The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult0
- 3Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver4.5
- 4The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah4.7
- 5The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller4.5
- 6Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel by David Baldacci4.4
- 7Beloved by Toni Morrison4.5
- 8The Rose Code by Kate Quinn0
- 9The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah4.5
- 10The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah4.3
In Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger discovers the power of words when she begins stealing books and learning to read with her foster father's help. Narrated by Death himself, this haunting tale follows Liesel as she shares her stolen books with neighbors during air raids and hides a Jewish man in her basement, finding hope and humanity amid the horrors of war. A story about the transformative power of literature in the darkest of times.
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Jodi Picoult
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating yet thoughtful tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
3
by Barbara Kingsolver
4.52022560 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a gritty yet compassionate tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
4
by Kristin Hannah
4.72015564 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a heartbreaking yet triumphant tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
5
by Madeline Miller
4.52021384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a achingly beautiful tragedy tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
6
by David Baldacci
4.42025608 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholic but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
7
by Toni Morrison
4.51989
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a haunting and profound tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
8
by Kate Quinn
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a heartbreaking yet triumphant tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
9
by Kristin Hannah
4.52018450 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating yet resilient tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
10
by Kristin Hannah
4.32021464 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating but dignified tone that will resonate with The Book Thief fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Book Thief
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Underground Railroad | Colson Whitehead | 4.4 | 2016 | 306 | Closest match |
| The Storyteller | Jodi Picoult | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Demon Copperhead | Barbara Kingsolver | 4.5 | 2022 | 560 | Similar vibes |
| The Nightingale | Kristin Hannah | 4.7 | 2015 | 564 | Similar vibes |
| The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller | 4.5 | 2021 | 384 | Similar vibes |
| Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel | David Baldacci | 4.4 | 2025 | 608 | Similar vibes |
| Beloved | Toni Morrison | 4.5 | 1989 | — | Similar vibes |
| The Rose Code | Kate Quinn | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah | 4.5 | 2018 | 450 | Similar vibes |
| The Four Winds | Kristin Hannah | 4.3 | 2021 | 464 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Markus Zusak
If you enjoy Markus Zusak's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Book Thief?
The most similar books to The Book Thief are The Underground Railroad, The Storyteller, Demon Copperhead.
What should I read after The Book Thief?
After finishing The Book Thief, readers most commonly pick up The Underground Railroad next.
Who writes books like Markus Zusak?
Authors similar to Markus Zusak include Madeline Miller, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Brit Bennett, Patti Callahan Henry, Colson Whitehead.
What genre is The Book Thief?
The Book Thief is a Literary Fiction novel by Markus Zusak, published in 2014. It features elements of WWII, Nazi Germany.
How long is The Book Thief?
The Book Thief varies in length depending on edition.
About The Book Thief
DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF AND AN UNFORGETTABLE AND SWEEPING FAMILY SAGA. Two award-winning modern classics from #1 New York Times bestselling author Markus Zusak! The Book Thief affirms the ability of books to feed the soul even in the bleakest of times in a story the New York Times described as “brilliant. . . . the kind of book that can be life-changing.” It is 1939. Nazi Germany. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. I Am the Messenger is a Printz Honor-winning novel and recipient of five starred reviews that tells the story of Ed Kennedy, an underage cabdriver without much of a future. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission? Discover the enormous talent that is Marcus Zusak in this extraordinary collection that showcases the intensity and heart inherent in his storytelling.