The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven: The Sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Author: Mitch Albom

Publisher: Harper

Publication Date: October 9, 2018

Length: 224 pages







About the Author
Mitch Albom is an internationally renowned author, screenwriter, playwright, nationally syndicated columnist, broadcaster and musician. He is the author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers.

Annie's Story
Fifteen years ago, in Mitch Albom’s beloved novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the world fell in love with Eddie, an amusement park mechanic who died saving the life of a young girl named Annie. Eddie’s journey to heaven taught him that every life matters. Now, in this sequel, Mitch Albom reveals Annie’s story.

My Thoughts
I don't read much fiction, but I did read The Five People You Meet in Heaven when it was published 15 years ago. I also saw the movie. When I learned there was a sequel to this book, I wanted to read it.

This is a fast read...mostly because it is hard to put the book down once you start reading it. Annie has grown up and is preparing to get married. She had a difficult childhood after the accident at the amusement park, but she is looking forward to a life of happiness with her new husband.

There are many unexpected twists and turns in the plot. There are emotional segments that have you laughing one moment and tears streaming from your eyes the next. 

The story is about how our lives are connected and each of our actions has an effect on future events. Everything happens for a reason.

“No story sits by itself. Our lives connect like threads on a loom, interwoven in ways we never realise...There's no such thing as a nobody. And there are no mistakes." 

I found this to be an uplifting and entertaining read. I don't want to spoil the story by saying what happens and how it ends. I will just say that Annie discovers the answers to many questions about her life and learns the meaning of sacrifice, commitment, and true love.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I checked-out a print copy of this book at my local public library.

Book Review: Take The Stairs by Rory Vaden

Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success

Author: Rory Vaden

Publisher: Perigee Trade

Date: February 7, 2012








About The Author
Rory Vaden is a self-discipline strategist, co-founder of the international training company - Southwestern Consulting, and a New York Times bestselling author.

7 Steps To Achieving True Success
Rory Vaden believes we live in an "escalator world"... one that is filled with shortcuts, quick fixes and distractions that make it all too easy to procrastinate, compromise and fall into mediocrity. "Take The Stairs" is about self-discipline and doing things you don't want to do in the short term to bring success in the long term.

Mr Vaden shares seven steps to achieving true success in this book. These steps are;

• Sacrifice
• Commitment
• Focus
• Integrity
• Schedule
• Faith
• Action

The author uses case studies and experiences from his own life to explain how these seven steps can help you develop the courage, character and determination to succeed in anything you attempt.

My Thoughts
Mr. Vaden states in the Introduction of this book that there is a great chance that you won't finish reading the book. According to one major publisher, 95% of all books are never completely read. This same publisher states that 70% of all books that are purchased are never even opened!

I read the book from cover-to-cover and I am glad I did. This book does a good job explaining why the words "sacrifice" and "commitment" are not popular topics in our society today.

The book offers inspiring case studies about people who have found success by "doing things they don't want to do." The theme of self-discipline is repeated over and over in the text.

I love the analogy of the escalator and the stairs. I will think about this book each time I see an escalator crowded with people getting to their destination in the easiest and fastest way possible.

My very favorite part of the book is the chapter on commitment. Mr. Vaden shares the following thoughts on the subject of decision making and commitment;

"There will never be a perfect time, there will never be a perfect person, there will never be a perfect situation to start doing the things we need to get us where we want to go. We need to stop spending so much of our time trying to make the right decisions and instead start spending our time making decisions and then making them right".

This book will inspire and motivate you to take action. Recommended to all who have a dream and want to know how to make it come true.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I checked-out the print edition of this book from my local public library. The book is available in print and Kindle versions on Amazon.

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Brighten The Corner Where You Are

In 1913, gospel meetings were popular, spurring lagging faith with song, personal testimony, and shared experiences.  Ina Duley Ogden's wish as a young woman was to join the Chautauqua circuit as an evangelist and bring to thousands her strongly felt message of love and Christian belief.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Ogdon's father was an invalid who required constant care and attention.  Ina abandoned her dreams and decided to spend her life caring for her father.  She poured her heart into writing songs that would express her Christian faith.  When she wrote the lines, "To the many duties ever near you now be true," she could well have been thinking of dishwashing, sweeping and cleaning, which to her became work God had assigned her. 
Homer Rodeheaver, a famous evangelist, selected "Brighten The Corner Where You Are" as his theme song.  Thus, though she never reached the attention of thousands of people as a Chautauqua speaker, her message has come to millions through music.

Brighten The Corner Where You Are

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar,

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

REFRAIN

Brighten the corner where you are!

Brighten the corner where you are!

Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;

Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,

Let not narrow self your way debar;

Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,

 Here reflect the bright and morning star;

Even from your humble hand the bread of life may feed,

Brighten the corner where you are.