Have A Little Faith

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Nonfiction
Author:	Mitch Albom

Two very different men: Albert Lewis, a rabbi who he has been asked to write a eulogy for, Henry Covington, a former drug dealer and convict who became a pastor, two different worlds, two very different religions, but one strongly shared similarity: a life of faith.

I finished the book in 6 (50 mins each) subway trips to and fro my house and office.

Probably I had set a high expectation on Mitch Albom, somehow I felt a bit disappointed after reading this book, I did not get much out of it.

Personally, I felt like as though Mitch was trying to create another Tuesdays with Morrie, but too bad, one Tuesdays with Morrie is enough.
Thus no surprise, no excitement, a bit draggy.
Common questions had been raised, but not deeply discussed.

One part that touches me is when Mitch and Lewis were discussing about war, during a trip to Israel in the 1960s, Lewis, toured some enemy ruins and found an Arabic schoolbook with some family photographs contained therein.
He keeps the schoolbook and photographs for years to remind him of the costs of war. When Mitch says that those people were in fact the enemy, Lewis responds, "Enemy schmenemy. This was a family."

Well, probably, as what the book title stated "Have a little Faith", just a little...not much.

Some questions and quotes:

What makes a man happy? happiness

Self indictment is worse than an unanswered prayer?

Why do bad things happen to good people? no one knows

What do people fear most about death? Being forgotten.

It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no, than to think that nobody's out there.

When a baby comes into the world,its hands are clenched...bacause a baby, not knowing any better, wants to grab everything to say "The whole world is mine."
But when an old person dies,....With his hands open....Because he has learned his lesson...."We can take nothing with us."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Kim Edwards

In 1964, David Henry, assisted by Caroline, his nurse, helped his wife, Norah, gave birth to twins, 1 boy and 1 girl. The boy (Paul) was perfect and healthy. However the girl (Phoebe) was born with Down’s Syndrome. In order to spare his wife and his new son pain, David made an immediate and fateful decision. It was a decision that, once made, could not be redeemed nor remedied.
David requested Caroline to immediately take the child to an institution where imperfect children were “put away“. He then told his wife the little girl had died at birth.

Caroline was far too kind hearted to obey David’s orders, instead of abandoning the baby daughter in the institution, she took the daughter to another city and brought her, Phoebe, up by herself. When Caroline allowed David to know that she had chosen to raise his daughter, he sent her money and tried to find her, but Caroline hid away from him, as she was thinking whether should he have a place in his daughter's life or not.

For over 25 years, the family looked very perfect from the outside, but they were not. David was distant from Nora. His son, Paul felt unloved, and Nora had been mourning for the loss of her baby girl, till a long kept secret was revealed

A very touching and sad story. Initially I was so angry with David. How can he be so cruel and selfish. It's difficult to feel sorry for him, but again, the author does a good job getting inside of him of showing us his pain. He was never living in a happy life ever since he had made the decision.

It is true that in this reality modern society, there are many of such cases (known or unknown) happening. New born babies (for many reasons) being given away, thrown away or buried alive.


Quotes to share:

"You missed a lot of heartache, sure. But David, you missed a lot of joy."

"The love was within her all the time, and its only renewal came from giving it away"

A Friend Like Henry

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Nuala Gardner

It had been quite some time that I was being so touched by reading a story book that I cried.

I bought this book, as I liked the cover and the title. After reading the first chapter, I knew that I would not put it down before I reached the last page of the book.

It is a wonderful story that tugs at your heart strings and also leaves you with a feeling of hope. A nice and brilliant ending, which had me in tears.

A remarkable true story of an autistic boy and the dog that unlocked his world.

If you think that you have a tough life, read this book to see what Nuala and her husband Jamie went through with their two children, how they stayed together and kept their family strong.

When Dale was still a baby, his parents realized that something was no right. When he was a toddler, he was unable to communicate properly, emotionally isolated from both his family and other children.

Dale's autism was severe and violent and family life was a daily battleground not till when Henry, the Golden Retriever was brought into the family.

Through Henry, Dale learned how to love. By using Henry as a mouthpiece, his parents found a way to interact with their child.

You will be amazed how powerful the silent love and affection a dog can bring to you and believe that animals play an important part of a disabled child’s life.

Life Of Pi

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Yann Martel

I choose to read this book “Life of Pi“ is because it has been mentioned by another book “Letter To Sam” which I have read some time ago, thus has gone to the library to search for this book (published 8 years ago).

“We all have tigers under our tarpaulins, tigers that we feel could destroy us. We think we want to get rid of our tigers, but the truth is, we would feel a great loss if they ran away, because ultimately each tiger is a part of us.”

This is absolutely a very imaginative yet thoughts provoking novel. Really give you some serious food of thoughts and see how the indomitable nature of the human spirit at work.

Basically the novel can be divided into three sections.

First section covers the life of Piscine Patel (aka "Pi") as a child growing up at the zoo his father owns’ in Pondicherry, India. Pi talks about his life living as the son of a zookeeper, knowing all about animal behaviour. I like the part mentioning about his religion -- Pi practices Islam, Hinduism and Christianity, at the same time, and having seen merits in all three religions. He says "I just want to love God."

Second section is his struggle (at the age of sixteen) for survival trapped in a lifeboat with a 450-pound Bengal tiger after the ship his family was migrating to Canada on sinks. Talking about how he is joined by a zebra that jumps into the boat and breaks its leg, how he helps a dangerous tiger board the lifeboat and other animals including a hyena, an orang-utan (named Orange Juice). how the hyena begins to feed on the zebra, kills the orang-utan and how the tiger kills and eats the hyena. Left with Pi and the tiger, Richard Parker, in the lifeboat, making their way to Mexico, whereupon the tiger abruptly leaves Pi to go live in the wild, never to return, causing him to feel at a loss for losing his only constant companion on his journey so unceremoniously. It might be a bit boring and monotonous at some points, and full of self-pity.

Final section tells how Pi is found by some people and is taken to a hospital to recuperate. He narrates his story of animals and spending seven months at sea with a tiger to the 2 Japanese officials from the shipping company, who do not believe his tale. Thus Pi says he will tell another story to let them choose. In the other story, there are four occupants in the lifeboat, Pi, a sailor, Pi's mother, and the French cook. The sailor breaks his leg when jumping into the lifeboat, and the cook cuts the leg off. The sailor dies and the cook butchers and eats him. Eventually the cook kills Pi’s mother. Soon after, Pi kills the cook. Then, as Pi says, “Solitude began. I turned to God. I survived.”. At end, the officials agree the story with the animals is a “better” story, that they can write the report.

The Bad Mother's Handbook

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Kate Long

The title attracted me to pick up this book, then addicted to the book and wanted to complete it quickly. It’s a bit funny yet moving novel.

It is a story about 3 ladies Nan, Karen and Charlotte, 3 generations of the same family at the same time. Each of them trying to come to terms with their own private issues that tear them apart, but most important, it is the love that brings them closer together, and accepting the role of motherhood into their lives.

Charlotte, 17 year-old, trying her best to finish her levels, being dumped by her boy friend and she suddenly finds herself having to cope with a pregnancy that was completely unexpected.

Karen, (Charlotte’s Mum), has been divorced from Charlotte's father for few years, working as a part time classroom assistant at primary school. She cannot believe that history has repeated itself, because she was 16 when she gave birth to Charlotte. Karen discovers that Nan isn’t really her mother and goes in search of her birth mother.

Nan, (Karen's adoptive Mum), who is suffering from elderly dementia. Has been struggling to make sense of the past and the present in a mind that is mixed up. The character of Nan brings warmth and humour to the book.

“Any simplest mistakes that can change your life forever…”

Help! I'm Surrounded by Idiots - A Workplace Survival Guide

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Nonfiction
Author:	Tom E. Jones

After reading this book, though it is a good guidance book, but idiots are always idiots and nothing can be changed.

For my case, I don't really required to work in a team, thus chapter 8 really applies to my case. That day I found out that I was not being "appreciated" for the job I had done which my boss, together with the big boss had promised me in the big boss room, I felt being "fooled" by them and I just got so frustrated that I sent him an email (as not in town) telling him that those promises that he and the big boss had told me inside the room were all BS.

Introduction Don’t Blame Me, I Just Work Here
Chapter 1 What Do They Want From You?
Chapter 2 When You Know It, You Won’t Blow It
Chapter 3 Putting Dirty Ernie’s Out Of Business
Chapter 4 If It’s Not Your Problem, Whose Is It?
Chapter 5 Teamwork – Some Assembly Required
Chapter 6 Tell Them What They Need To Hear
Chapter 7 Don’t Move My Cheese
Chapter 8 I Can’t Believe I’m Working For That Idiot

Extract the common conditions that promote idiot-like behaviors from the book:

Condition 1 – Unstable Relationships
Relationships are based on how well people get along with each other rather than on the unique skills and experiences each person brings to the job assignment. There is no appreciation for the need to create common goals that pull people together.

Condition 2 – Dispirited Workers
It is considered unacceptable behavior to challenge one’s co-workers or supervisors – even when it is obvious that they are acting inappropriately, could do the job better, might use fewer resources, or could avoid mistakes if made aware of their shortcomings.

Condition 3 – Information Hoarding
Fearful of bringing up potentially troublesome issues in front of their leaders, followers gather privately to complain about their jobs and to poke fun at those witless wonders who run the place

Condition 4 – Minimal Expectations
Problems that easily could be fixed when they occur are left to float to the top or sink to the bottom. No one seems to care if the job gets done right or if the customer is satisfied

Condition 5 – Unresponsive Cliques
Leaders have unrealistic expectations of what it takes to form people into the teams and soon discover that the modern work force rejects teamwork, preferring instead to join cliques.

Condition 6 – Unreliable Communications
Mistakes and misunderstandings, caused by a general inability to figure out what information is needed, where and how to transmit bad news to the higher-ups, create a major source of distrust.

Condition 7 – Change Resistance
People fear change. They are really afraid of it, not because they don’t agree with or see the need for it, but because they’re usually left in the dark until the change is made.

Condition 8 – Management Mistrust
Instead of providing inspirational, future-focused leadership, managers make self-serving, short-term decisions and order quick fixes that only confuse, frustrate, and discourage the troops.

Letters To Sam

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Daniel Gottlieb

I bought this book in one of the afternoon and could not put it down and finished reading it on that very night.

A grandfather's lesson on Love, Loss, and the Gifts of Life. A simple, yet very thoughtful book. It is warm and spiritual uplifting, a guide for the soul, much more than just another book on autism. It teaches how to find appreciation and meaning in life no matter what the situation.

Daniel is truly a powerful wounded healer. When his grandson, Sam, was born, Daniel began to write a series of heartfelt letters that he hope Sam would read later in life.

The book also includes a section which lists out some of the resource links to various websites regarding Autism and coping with disability.

Royalty from the sales of this book are being donated to Cure Autism Now and other children’s charities.

This is a link to Dr Dan Gottlieb website

Quotes to share:

“Their job is to love you, protect you as best they can, try to understand you, and enjoy your laughter.”

“I hope they will give you both roots and wings. When they give you roots, you will feel safe, loved and secure, knowing they genuinely want to understand the person you are. When they give you wings, you will feel free to think whatever you want to think, free to explore the world of your heart and mind and the world outside.”

“Autism has the power to steal opportunities for contact, intimacy, and love.”

“… being different is not a problem. It’s just being different. But feeling different is a problem. When you feel different, the feeling can actually change the way you see the world.”

“I hope you will remember what your soul needs. Not wealth, prestige, and possessions, but the adult responsibility to love someone every day a little more than you did the day before.”

“The root of frustration is desire.”

“I want what I want when I want it.”

“We started this book by saying hello to a precious life, so we must end it by saying good-bye to one.”

“…death is not a problem. Not living is the problem. Sadness, joy, love, anguish, passion, and serenity are all pieces of life – the very texture of this gift called life.”

Life With Strings Attached

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Minnie Lamberth

“What happens when the world we know is too small for our dreams?”

Winner of the Paraclete Fiction Award.

A novel that capture the simplicity and innocence of a child's perspective. A Joyful story about a seven-year-old little girl, Hannah Hayes, living in Evergreen Drive, Alabama, in 1972, who has two concerns:
(1) protecting her beagle, Pumpkin, from Ralph, a neighbor’s dog
(2) pursuing her dream becoming a preacher

Hannah knows she is called by the Lord, and "The work laid out for me couldn't be done by another." When going around the neighbourhood selling Girl Scout cookies, she also tries out her preaching skills but finds little encouragement.

When her beloved dog disappears, she learns much-including forgiveness that resonates with readers.

Quotes to share:

“It doesn’t come from my hands….It comes from my head and my heart. My hands follow their lead.”

“Each person has a call……You are created for a purpose. And if you’re created for a purpose, nothing else will satisfy you. When you’re called to serve the Lord, you can run but you can’t hide. The only thing in life that will truly satisfy you is to answer the call of God.”

"The work laid out for me couldn't be done by another."

“You have to be prepared to give up something- maybe a dream, or what you believe about yourself, or even a home- in order to get to the place you need to be.”

“We cry out for world peace, but do we notice the conflicts closer to home?”

“In my view, you have to be careful about stories you accept without question. People can tell you all sorts of things that could prove contrary to what is in your heart and your mind. Until you know what those things are, you can find yourself all in a dither trying to please someone simply because he’s the one speaking out.

A Spot Of Bother

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Mark Haddon

Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”, you may be disappointed.

Probably that’s where the problem starts, preconceived notions and high expectation, thus find that the story a bit boring, nothing new, the usual mid-life crisis stuff, dealing with aging and retirement, marriage and relationship difficulties.

The characters are very ordinary, perhaps like you and me, or someone familiar to us all.

George, fifty-seven and comfortably retired, discovers a lesion on his hip and thinks he has cancer and gradually starts to have a breakdown. The rest of the family is too busy to notice.

Jean (George’s wife) is having an affair with David, an ex-colleague of George.

Katie (George’s daughter), a divorced mother of young Jacob and is engaged to Ray, whom she may not love but who treats her and Jacob well.

Jamie (George’s gay son), who is having problems with his boyfriend Tony.

There are couple of scenes which are quite funny and make you laugh out loud, but the last portion of the book sounds a bit heavy, uplifting and unrealistic.

Though this book is not bad, however, I still prefer to Mark’s previous prizing winning novel.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Mark Haddon

A book which I desire to start reading and finishing it within few hours.

Very unique and brilliant way of writing a novel.

The chapters are numbered according to prime numbers. The book is filled with drawings, illustrations, mathematical sums, maps, etc. which makes it very interesting and fun to read. I like the reasons given for disliking yellow and brown color in chapter 131.

The story is narrated by a fifteen-year-old autistic boy, Christopher Boone. The investigation of the death of his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, leads him down some unexpected paths and eventually reveals his parents’ broken marriage to him.

The Key

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Jun'ichirō Tanizaki

English version translated by Howard Hibbett.

Very interesting. Once you start reading, you don’t feel like putting it down.

This is a story about a dying marriage and the issue of sexuality in old age.

Tanizaki's characters are often driven by obsessive erotic desires.

In the story, a middle aged man, who is deeply in love with his younger wife, loads her with all sorts of stimulants, from liquor to a young handsome man, and arranges for his wife to commit adultery in order to boost his own sagging sexual desires.

The wife:
“In the beginning I myself felt a passionate love for him. I can’t deny that “I accepted a man who was utterly wrong for me,” nor that “sometimes the very sight of him made me queasy.” But that doesn’t mean I didn’t love him.”

As years passed by, in spite of the love, they have grown physically apart, they have problems understanding each other, unsure each other's thoughts and desires, till the day when the wife discovers the key to her husband's diary, to his soul.

The husband:
“Even though I have several hiding places for the key to the locked drawer where I keep this book, such a woman may well have searched out all of them."

From that moment onwards, the two characters start to “communicate” through their diaries. Both implicitly agree to read each other's diaries, while outwardly pretending that they do not.

Love In The Present Tense

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Catherine Ryan Hyde

How do you go on loving someone who isn't there? The answers are heartbreaking. It will surprise and move you.

The story is just as much about forgiveness, about people who must learn to pull through with their irreversible past, and make peace where love, family and commitment arrives in some of the most unexpected places.

Leonard, Pearl and Mitch, each has a story to tell and as their lives unfold, profound questions arise about the nature of love and family.

Leonard is a wise five-year-old boy with asthma, terrible vision problem, and the ability to captivate everyone he meets.

Pearl is Leonard's devoted teenage mother, a single mother who absolutely adores her young son, and desperately trying to hide a violent secret from her past.

Mitch is Leonard’s 25-year-old next-door neighbour, busy running his own company and having affair with the Mayor’s wife, Barbara.

Life has given Pearl every reason to mistrust people, but circumstances force her to trust her neighbour, Mitch. One day Pearl drops Leonard off with Mitch, and never returns.

The story switches backwards and forwards through the decades, recounting the lives of these three people. The best is reading how Mitch and Leonard grow up together, through the power and the magic of the human heart, ends up needing each other in special ways. Even as Mitch must eventually surrender Leonard to a two-parent home, their bond as parent and child shifts and endures, teaching Mitch the concept of “forever love.”, Leonard still views Mitch as his chief unofficial guardian, his dependable mentor and best friend.

For Leonard, certain things he remembers are permanently engraved in his psyche. He knows that Pearl will always be a part of him, and she constantly comes to him in all kinds of ways, through candle flames, rain and little birds. In the end Leonard is able to answer the questions about his mother’s death and his own background.

Quotes to share:

“He’s been trying to teach me about forever love since he was five years old. I’m a slow learner, and he’s patient.”

“Question: How many angels can dance in the flame of a lighted candle? Answer: Only one but that’s enough.”

“It’s when you love somebody so much that no matter what happens that’ll never change. Like even if you’re gone. It’s still the same. Even if you die. You die, but not the love. Not forever love.”

“If it takes you apart, that’s not love. Love puts you back together.”

“Voluntary blindness is never going to catch on.“

“Because you have a life, if you didn’t, you’d deal with that. But you do. So don’t waste it.”

Totto-Chan The Little Girl At The Window

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

Originally written by the famous Japanese actress and TV personality Tetsuko Kuroyanagi.
English version translated by Dorothy Britton.

Very entertaining book to read.

Totto-chan, the author's name as a child, was a hyperactive little girl in first grade, perpetually having full of excitement and enthusiasm.

The story begins with Totto-chan's mother knowing of her daughter's expulsion from the school. She realises that what Totto-chan needs is a school where more freedom of expression is allowed for her daughter.

Totto-chan is re-enrolled at Tomoe Gakuen, a school made of numbers of railroad cars, headed by Mr Sosaku Kobayashi, an extraordinary educator, a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity, who understands children very well and strives to develop their qualities of mind, body and heart.

There are no formal lessons in class, the students studying the things they need to in any order during the day, asking the teacher when they have difficulties.

For lunch, Mr Sosaku always encouraged students to have a balanced meal, one portion of things from land (vegetables, meat, etc.) and one portion from the sea(fish, seaweed, etc.). He would inspect the lunches and if anything was missing, it was supplied by his wife, so that the students always got a balanced meal.

I liked the incident when Toto-chan dropped her favorite purse into the toilet, she used a wooden garden-watering ladle to empty the cesspool scoop to find it. Mr Sosaku came by, never scolded her, instead in a friendly tone, 'You'll put it back when you've finished, won't you?”, then he went off.

The story goes on following Totto-chan through the wonderful 4 years of her life at the school. Lots of attitudes of self-respect, freedom of expression, joy of discovery are being “taught” in this wonderful school. All of these are presented to us through the eyes of a child.

The children lead happy lives, unaware of the great things happening in the world. The World War II has started, yet in this school, no signs of it are seen. One day the school is bombed, and is never rebuilt, which ends Totto-chan's years as a pupil at Tomoe Gakuen, and the best side of a Japan that was lost forever in the war.

The Mystical Life of Jesus

Rating:	★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Religion & Spirituality
Author:	Sylvia Browne

A very unique perspective, filled with the details of Jesus’ inspiring life. Including his birth, childhood, travels, ministry, miracles, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

Following major controversies are being addressed:
- Was there a virgin birth?
- Was there a Star of Bethlehem?
- What did he do for the first thirty years of his life?
- Was he married?
- Was he divine?
- Is there a Jesus lineage?

You might be questioning where did the author get all the information from? Using her unique relationship with her spirit guide?

Very arguable and debatable discoveries. Be careful who you want to debate the thoughts in this book with, as some people just don't have an open mind.

My advice:

Never believe “any” you read or hear.
Only believe “some” of what you see.
But…
Always believe “fully” of what your heart says.

GOD Explained In A Taxi Ride

Rating:	★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Nonfiction
Author:	Paul Arden

Definitely can read finish this book within an hour Taxi ride.

A humorous and penetrating look at the nature of religious belief.

Brilliant use of series visual effect and strange snippets, some very thoughtful and philosophical, some very fundamental, some simply popular misconceptions and lazy thinking for umpteenth time.

The Procrastinator's Guide To Success

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Nonfiction
Author:	Lynn Lively

As what the author said :
"Procrastination means you know what you need to do but don't do it. If you don't know what to do, you aren't procrastinating. You are thinking...."

1st part of the book helps you to identify are you a real procrastinator, or are you just a thinker? Why do you procrastinate?
How to stop procrastinating and do something. Success Means Entering the Risk Zone.

2nd part of the book talks about Resolution. the 7-step RESOLVEIt! decision making system.

R : Resolve Something!
E : Examine What You Already Know
S : Step into the Future
O : Overcome the Subtle Factor
L : Leap, Lurch, or Launch into Action
V : View and Evaluate Your Results
E : Enjoy Your Success or Learn from Experience and Then Move On


Some Quotes I like :

"You always have a choice, and that choice is to do something or do nothing."

"Talking doesn't count. To be a successful decision maker you have to take action."

"Forgives previous mistakes and expect new ones"

"You might fail, lose, or be wrong, but entering the Risk Zone means you might also succeed, win, and be right."

"If things have turned out well, consciously enjoy your success. You've earned it. If you are not satisfied, lick your wounds, learn what you can, and seek perspective."

"Both success and failure are temporary conditions. Life is moving on, and so are you."

"If you don't try, you know what the outcome will be. But if you give it your best shot, the possibilities are endless."

More Hot Chocolate For The Mystical Soul

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Arielle Ford

Many different true-life spiritual experiences that come from beyond the normal experience, which enrich and enhance your spiritual live. It gives hope and makes you see the good in the world in a time where most of the news is bad.

Just like the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, many inspirational, uplifting stories, which give you much to think about, help you to open your heart, stretch your mind and change your beliefs and the way you perceive the world.

One of my favorite stories is “Mountain Angel” by Azita Milanian. With the help of her dogs, she found and saved the life of a new born baby which was being buried in the dirt still alive.

In Dahlia's Wake

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Yona McDonough

A moving portrait of ordinary people in heartbreaking circumstances, exploring the ache of loss and the search for solace.

Intensely moving novel that details the life of a couple, Naomi and Rick, trying to rebuild their lives after the sudden tragic death of their only child, Dahlia, in a car accident.

Naomi is a teacher of a private school, where attended by Dahlia. Rick is a podiatrist with a successful New York City practice. They are living an ordinary life, and nothing prepares them for the accident that will take Dahlia's life.

In the aftermath of the accident, Rick and Naomi are forced to examine their behaviour and how deeply it has affected not only their lives, but the lives of those around them.

They pull away from each other, the grief, guilt and overwhelming sorrow too hard to bear. Rick begins an affair with the office manager at his podiatry practice while Naomi finds solace in the arms of the doctor that delivered the news of her daughter’s death.

The distance between Rick and Naomi widens until another twist of fate (Naomi's mother struggling with her increasing bouts of memory loss) awaken them to the value of their own lives and to the true meaning of family.

For One More Day

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Mitch Albom

This is one of the books which I continue reading for hours till end without stopping.

A story of far beyond lifetime relationship of a mother and a son.

The mother raises her son as a divorced woman in the 1960’s. Her son, Charley, never really appreciates her sacrifices, spending much of his life chasing the elusive love of his father, who left when Charley was 11.

Years later, Charley, a middle-aged alcoholic whose family and work life have disintegrated. He loses his job. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. He decides to take his own life, until the “one more day” encounter with his mother's ghost, brings him new awareness and leads him to attempt to put his life back together.

One more day
- to explore questions of regrets and divorce
- to think how would you spend with a lost loved one
- to make good with a lost parent
- to explain the family secrets
- to seek forgiveness
- to re-examine the life you thought you had

“It’s such a big world, something is always happening somewhere.”

“Belief, hard work, love – you have those things, you can do anything.”

“When someone is in your heart, they’re never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.”

“Once Heaven is done with Grandma, we’d like her back, Thanks.”

Do appreciate those whom you love -- DreamzOnForever

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Mitch Albom

The story starts at Ruby Pier on Eddie's 83rd birthday. He goes about his normal routine until one of the rides breaks. One of the carts breaks free from the ride and falls to the pier. Eddie jumps out of the way and tries to push a little girl out of the path of the falling cart. Eddie does not get out of the way in time and is killed by the falling cart.

Eddie travels to heaven and meets the five people:

(1) the Blue Man
He teaches Eddie there are no random acts in life, and that all incidents are intertwined in some way.

(2) his former war Captain
He teaches Eddie the second lesson of sacrifice

(3) Ruby, the person who the pier is named
She allows Eddie to see that his father was being loyal to one of his best friends. She teaches Eddie to let go of the anger he has for his father.

(4) Marguerite, his long dead wife
She teaches Eddie about the power of love; even though people pass away, their love does not die.

(5) Tala, a young Asian girl who Eddie killed in a fire
She allows Eddie to see that his place in life was to be at Ruby Pier keeping the children safe.