Book Review #1

Title: Tuesdays with Morrie
Author: Mitch Albom
Publication: Anchor Books
Genre: Non-fiction, Philosophy

Synopsis:
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class": lessons in how to live. Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world.(From: www.tuesdayswithmorrie.com)

The main topics of the book are:
The World, Self-pity, Regrets, Death, Family, Emotions, Fear of Aging, Money, Love, Marriage (Haha, we are too young I guess?), Culture, Forgiveness and The Perfect Day.

Thoughts:
I love this book. When I picked it up at in Popular, I had this hunch that it’ll be an interesting book that focuses on morals and values, and I wasn’t so wrong. This fast-to-read book allows us to rediscover ourselves and others through the death of the author’s professor, Morrie. Although he has passed away, I do respect him for the way he carries himself and the words that he say. He is ultra optimistic and has a different perceptive of the way things are from others. He is indeed well immersed in his own set of principles and really inspired me. I can still remember how he viewed himself deteriorating.
- “It’s horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing. But it’s also wonderful because of all the time I get to say good-bye.”
If I were him, I don’t think I would have the guts to say that to my family. Would you have the courage too? I also envy Morrie for the fact that he lacked of self-pity:
-“… A little (self pity) each morning, a few tears, and that’s all”
Many people in the world are full of self pity. For instance, I always lament when I’m given too much homework! But he’s totally the opposite!
The chapter which I could relate the most to is “The Eight Tuesday – We Talk About Money” I’m not money faced or so whatever, just that I feel that the content inside it really very realistic and it kinds of tell you how the world goes around.
- “Money is not a substitute for tenderness (Morrie was referring to love), and power is not a substitute for tenderness…”
I feel that this sentence is extremely correct. In our world, many people want to feast themselves to money, power and something that is in fashion, because that they unsatisfied. They can’t differentiate a want and a need. They want to have a meaningful life, but they have forgotten about things such as they values, family and friends, community etc. In the end, they receive nothing, give nothing and feel remorseful. They are blinded by their greed and feel unsatisfied still. I’m not saying that money is not important; a sufficient amount for oneself is definitely needed. The main point I’m talking about is that there is more things that value more than money. For example, you can be rich but you happen to have this terminal disease that cannot be cured. Will power and money help you? Will those things make you happy when you die?

If you like a practical and realistic story book to read, I highly recommend this book. However, if you don’t, you may find it a little boring and may give up reading this halfway. To sum it all, it’s a great book.

Posted by Kelly! (: [Hehe, 4 more EL hw left!]