The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

'All endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time'.
This is definitely one of my favourite books - END. OF. STORY. It has such a touching plot; a real page turner, with messages that make you think about what you've done and will do in life, and about the afterlife. I'd give this a 9 and a half out of 1O.

This book is about a lonely war veteran named Eddie, who works at an amusement park. Ironically, the story starts 5Ominutes before his death, an accident while trying to save a little girl's life. After his journey into heaven, he is to then meet five people, loved ones or strangers, who have significantly affected his life on earth, and each of them have something vital about his life to teach Eddie. "This is the greatest gift God can give you: To understand what happened in your life. To have it explained. It is the peace you have been searching for", was one of the many things Eddie learned during his time in heaven. Revealing different parts of his life, it's sure to keep you reading, and completely intrigues you with a rather unexpected ending.

I thought this story was extremely heart-wrenching and bittersweet, with many moments which made me think about the people in my life. Eddie, the main character, really makes you feel sympathetic towards him. I loved how the author created an image of heaven - an abstract image with so much eerieness which leaves you totally intrigued. I also loved the many messages this book offers. There were quite a few quotes which were significant to me, like;

"No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone."

"Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from the inside.We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves. Forgive ... because no one is born with anger."

"Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to. Little sacrifices. Big sacrifices. A mother works so her son can go to school. A daughter moves home to take care of her sick father ... Sometimes when you sacrifice something, you're not reallly losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else."

This book is soo inspriational and eye-opening. It makes you think about the little things people have done which have changed your life, and how you've been affecting other people's lives. Whether they're close friends or total strangers, you never know what you've done to make your mark on their life .. "Strangers are just family you have yet come to know".

It isn't just for religious people, so I'd recommend this book to just about anyone, especially if they're looking for something to really think about. Honestly, it's a reeeaally good book.
READ IT. YOU'LL LOVE IT. :3