My Best Summer Read. If You Want To Read A Truly Great Book Get This One

I am a teacher. During the school year I spend the majority of my time reading about how to become a better teacher, how to better service my students, how to make our school community a better place for everyone, how to work effectively with parents, and on and on and on and on. When summertime rolls around I take the time to indulge myself in reading about nothing. Well nothing that has a direct impact on my professional duties. I usually curl up with historical romances, mostly trashy little novels about a knight a saving a damsel from some fiendish plot cooked up by her greedy brother or a highland warrior cursed with some high spirited maid who makes his life hell. The kind of book that entertains you but doesn't make you have to think about anything.

Recently a friend of mine asked me to go with her to a local thrift store so she could hunt for some "bargains". I really really hate to shop but I really really love my friend so I went with her. After wandering through the stacks and stacks of clothes, shoes, purses, and housewares I found myself at the used book section. I sorted through the piles of novels and found one that looked interesting so I forked over a dollar for it and sat down on a used bench in the front of the store to wait for my friend to finish her expedition.

The book I picked up was "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Albom.The book was written in 2003 and was later made into a movie starring John Voight. The novel tells the story of Eddie, a lonely old maintenance man who works at an amusement park . On his 83rd birthday he goes to his job on the pier, just as he has for dozens of years in the past, not realizing that this day would be different because on this day he would die.

Eddie is transported into Heaven where he meets five people who have influenced the way his life played out, whether he knew them or not. He is forced to see reality through their eyes and how the decisions that he made had a ripple effect on the lives of all of those around him. Each person teaches him a life lesson that he must accept before he is allowed to be at peace and continue on with his afterlife journey. The lessons he is taught are: the only time we waste in life are the times we spend thinking we are alone, sacrifice is a necessary part of life, holding in anger is poison, love is love no matter the form it takes, and your life purpose is your life purpose-no matter how large or small your life influences people whether you see it or not.

I absolutely love this book. Mitch Albom is a master of the English language and weaves a truly magical, thought provoking tale. I recommend everyone read this book, especially people who are in a place in their lives where they are wondering about the importance and meaning of their own existence. You won't be able to put the book down, it will make you smile, it will make you cry, but most importantly it will help you see the value in your own life.