You may know his name from the New York Times best-seller list of novels, or maybe you have seen his made for T.V. movies. Mitch Albom is an incredibly talented story-teller with an honest spirit. Like I have told many of my friends and family, when you read his books you are enveloped by a friendly and familiar voice; like a cousin or an old friend. To be perfectly honest, I am a little uncertain as where to begin to give justice to the talent and nature of Mitch Albom.
I'm going to begin with my first experience. I was 17 or 18 years old I was taking a business management course at my high school. My teacher was Mr. Marcus, and he told us that no matter what the curriculum demanded, or what our priorities were that day, he would stand up at his podium every Tuesday and read Mitch Albom's Tuesday's with Morrie. Mr. Marcus never got around to reading the novel in its entirety. Mr. Marcus did read us the first few pages; I was drawn in. But, as the semester continued without another word about the book, I soon forgot it. Months later I was at Costco shopping with my step-mother, Jenn. In the book section of the store, I stumbled upon to the smallest, and simplest looking book. For One More Day was a tiny yellow and blue covered book with a single linear drawing of a small house. I turned to read the back when I saw: "Author of the #1 New York Times Best-Seller Tuesday's with Morrie." For One More Day was the first book I read by Mitch Albom, and I have never looked back. The book was about a man who had officially hit rock bottom: alcoholism, wife left him, daughter won't speak to him, and is pretty much going no where in life. Going back to his childhood home he finds a familiar voice, and a comforting face to bring him to terms with the conditions of his life (past, present, and future).
When I tell you that reading one of Mitch Albom's books feels like you're speaking with a cousin or an old friend, I mean to say that Mitch Albom does not over-complicate his stories, characters, or the structure of the novels. The stories effortlessly unfold before your eyes. It never takes me more than a couple of days to fully read one of his books; they are impossible to put down. Two of Mitch Albom's novels, Have a Little Faith and Tuesday's with Morrie, are both true stories. This humbles Mitch Albom's words, and grounds you to your very core. I have read from his website the inspirations for his other works in both theatre, movies, and his novels. They are genuine, and you can honestly feel that emanate through the pages.
Mitch Albom's themes of family, time, faith, virtue, and personal struggles through life (and how one deals with them) are so simple and straightforward, yet they prompt a brand new ideas or understanding. This individual is a truly gifted storyteller. I cannot stress how much I enjoy his work. Please find below a link to Mitch Albom's website, and my personal recommendations of his works. When perusing your local independent book store, library, or a Cole's, Chapters, Indigo, or any other discount bookstore, look out for his name. You may have otherwise overlooked these simply wonderful books.
Mitch Albom on the net:
http://mitchalbom.com/d/
Lolita Chameleon's personal recommendations:
1. For One More Day
2. Tuesday's with Morrie
3. Have a Little Faith
4. The Five People You Meet in Heaven
5. The Time Keeper
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