Book Review: the five people you meet in heaven

by Mitch Albom

My Rating: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

 

Why Did I Read?

My daughter gave me this book as a Christmas present.  She thought I would like it because she noticed it was written by the same author who wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Tuesdays with Morrie.

Summary (from Goodreads)

From the author of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie, a novel that explores the unexpected connections of our lives, and the idea that heaven is more than a place; it’s an answer.

Eddie is a wounded war veteran, an old man who has lived, in his mind, an uninspired life.  His job is fixing rides at a seaside amusement park.  On his 83rd birthday, a tragic accident kills him as he tries to save a little girl from a falling cart.  He awakes in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a destination.  It’s a place where your life is explained to you by five people, some of whom you knew, others who may have been strangers.  One by one, from childhood to soldier to old age, Eddie’s five people revisit their connections to him on earth, illuminating the mysteries of his “meaningless” life, and revealing the haunting secret behind the eternal question: “Why was I here?”

What Did I Think/Recommendation

I loved this book! If you have ever wondered if your life matters, no matter how mundane or seemingly insignificant you feel it may be, read this book! Every action you make matters. Every small act of kindness you take matters. It ALL matters much more than you could ever imagine. This story helps to put life into perspective and it does a great job of reminding us of our connection with everyone and everything we have ever encountered.

It was also a very quick and easy read!  I would definitely recommend this, and I would read it again!

For more reviews on this book, check out Goodreads.

My Favorite Quote

Strangers are just family you have yet to come to know. (p.49)