I Am The Messenger

(Source)

I came across I Am The Messenger as a book recommendation on Goodreads, which if you haven't joined, by the way, you totally should. I didn't realize until later that the author Markus Zusak is also the author of The Book Thief, one of my favorite novels.  

I Am The Messenger is unlike any other book I've read. The story begins with our main character, Ed Kennedy and his two closest friends being caught up in the middle of a bank robbery. Ed is nineteen and a cab driver who has up to this point led a very ordinary life, and he and his best friend, Marv are in midst of an argument. 

Marv's car is sitting out front in a 15 minute spot and this robbery is going to cause Marv to get a ticket and he's not very happy about it. It's seems crazy to be having this argument with an armed robber present, but this doesn't stop them. The robbery comes to an end and the robber notices his getaway driver has left and decides he'll take Marv's car instead. He runs out, dropping his gun in the process. Ed makes a quick decision to get the gun and stop the robber, and that's exactly what he does. For the first time in Ed's life, he's done something extraordinary. 

After this, Ed's life changes. A mysterious playing card shows up in the mail with three names on it and Ed is given the task of helping these three people, a challenge he takes on. He not only changes the lives on these people, but himself in the process as well. After the first card is finished, he thinks he's done....until a second card arrives.

Throughout this story Markus Zusak shows how even the "ordinary" can do extraordinary things bigger than they every thought possible. Beautifully written, this story is one that should be added to the top of your must read list.