“What do you want to kiss me for? I'm filthy.'- LieselSo am I.'- Rudy”

“How 'bout a kiss, Saumensch?" -- Rudy Steiner”

“He lay with yellow hair and closed eyes, and the book thief ran toward him and fell down. She dropped the black book. "Rudy," she sobbed, "wake up...." She grabbed him by his shirt and gave him just the slightest disbelieving shake. "Wake up, Rudy," and now, as the sky went on heating and showering ash, Liesel was holding Rudy Steiner's shirt by the front. "Rudy, please." THe tears grappled with her face. "Rudy, please, wake up, Goddamn it, wake up, I love you. Come on, Rudy, come on, Jesse Owens, don't you know I love you, wake up, wake up, wake up....”

“Liesel continued the examination. She moved around him and shrugged. "Not bad."Not bad!" I look better than just not bad."The shoes let you down. And your face."Rudy placed the lantern on the counter and came toward her in mock-anger, and Liesel had to admit that a nervousness started gripping her. It was with both relief and disappointment that she watched him trip and fall on the disgraced mannequin. On the floor, Rudy laughed.Then he closed his eyes, clenching them hard.Liesel rushed over.She crouched above him.Kis him, Liesel, kiss him.Are you all right, Rudy? Rudy?"I miss him," said the boy, sideways, across the floor.Frohe Weihnachten," Liesel replied. She helped him up, straightening the suit. "Merry Christmas.”

“When finally she finished and stood herself up, he put his arm around her, best-buddy style, and they walked on. There was no request for a kiss. Nothing like that. You can love Rudy for that, if you like.”

“The tears grappled with her face. Rudy, please, wake up, Goddamn it, wale up, I love you. Come on, Rudy, come on, Jesse Owens, don't you know I love you, wake up, wake up, wake up.."But nothing cared...She leaned down and looked at his lifeless face and Liesel kissed her best friend, Rudy Steiner, soft and true on his lips. He tasted dusty and sweet. He tasted like regret in the shadows of trees and in the glow of the anarchist's suit collection. She kissed him long and soft, and when she pulled hersel away, she touched his mouth with her fingers. Her hands were tremblin, her lips were fleshy, and she leaned in once more, this time losing control and misjudging it. Their teeth collided on the demolised world of Himmel Street.”

“I'm twenty years old and look at me-- there isn't a thing I want to do”