A Review of Mitch Albom's Masterpieces!

 I just finished reading “Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom and it transported me back to the year 2021 when I had read “Tuesdays with Morrie.” Both books have valuable life lessons and it makes us think about the meaning of life and the impact we have on others. Human connection, forgiveness, living a purposeful life, love, etc., are some of the elements that Mitch Albom puts together & writes about, beautifully. 

Five People You Meet in Heaven is all about the interconnectedness of all lives. The story begins with Eddie, an elderly maintenance worker at an amusement park. He dies in an accident while trying to save a little girl named Annie. After his death, Eddie finds himself in heaven, where he meets five people who had a profound impact on his life, whether he knew it or not. Each of these people teaches Eddie valuable lessons about life. Each encounter in heaven revealed new layers of Eddie's life and the lives of those around him. Eddie comes to understand the true meaning of his life and finds peace in his afterlife. What I really liked about this book was the concept of meeting five people in heaven who have influenced one's life and it made me reflect on my own life and the relation I have with others, reminding me the importance of forgiveness and the impact of even the smallest of actions. 

"Tuesdays with Morrie" is a memoir, that tells the story of Mitch's reunion with his college professor, Morrie - who was battling a disease. And, through the weekly conversations, Mitch finds himself learning lessons about love, life, death, family, work, relationships, etc. As Morrie's health deteriorates, their conversations become more poignant - teaching us the importance of living authentically, cherishing our relationships, and embracing vulnerability. Through his conversations with Morrie, Mitch learns the importance of letting go of his past and embracing forgiveness as a path toward healing. After a point, it almost felt as if I was a part of their conversation as if I could see them talking to each other - that’s what I like about Mitch Albom’s writing. It’s so simple, that you can easily connect to what he’s written. 

I have this habit - after reading a particular book, I like to sit with it for a while - sometimes journal about it, sometimes share some of my favorite quotations with people, talk about it perhaps or just be with it for a while before I put it down. And, very rarely it happens that even after putting down a book, it continues to stay with me. Albom’s writing definitely falls into the rare category. I mean yes it’s fun & insightful when we read it but unknowingly it attaches itself to you & stays with you for a very long time. It’s like the book has ended but it also feels like it’s a new beginning for you after you’ve read it.

All endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time.