Book Review of “For One More Day” By Mitch Albom

For One More Day

By Mitch Albom

This one is a short and easy read. The main character (Chick Benetto) is a former baseball player, who tries to commit suicide but ends up waking up in a different world – somewhere between life and death. And he gets to spend one more day with his dead mother (who, btw, died eight years ago).

Good for a one time read, this is a story of redemption and how Chick strives to face the ghosts of his life. I could trace a link to Mitch’s previous book – The Five People You Meet In Heaven. The plot might strike as a bit different, but holds a similar feel as his previous novella. The grudges that he holds, the pain he endures, the guilt that engulfs him…all die out and he comes to peace with himself. A decently inspirational read amalgamating love, family,relationships, mistakes and forgiveness.
Pretty well written for a not so ground breaking plot. It keeps you hooked on till the very end with definite emotional moments.

Book Review of “At First Sight” By Nicholas Sparks

At First Sight

By Nicholas Sparks

 

This is a sequel of Sparks’ earlier book – True Believer, which introduced to us the lovely pair – Lexie Darnell of Boone Creek, NC and Jeremy Marsh of New York City. But if you’ve not read True Believer, don’t stop. Give this a read. The first few pages do summarize the previous book pretty well. The readers get to know about the happenings of the last five years in the life of Jeremy Marsh and Lexie Darnell.

Jeremy is a freelance writer who takes it on him to expose forgeries and scams. He initially came to NC to investigate mysterious lights in a graveyard in Boone Creek. He visited the local library for his research which is where he met Lexie (the librarian). And of course, they fell in love.

After a whirlwind courtship, one night of sexual bliss and Lexie’s revelation a bit later that she is pregnant, Jeremy proposes marriage. And his life changes from that day forward.

This book begins with Jeremy moving to Boone to be with Lexie (his fiancé now).

Lexie has inhibitions of letting Jeremy stay with her before marriage, thanks to the gossip-mongers around who create unnecessary trouble and interference in their lives. They undergo the whole gamut of finding, buying, and renovating a new house; planning the wedding; having a baby.

He faces a writer’s block –and is unable to meet deadlines from his editor on a column and feature stories. Lexie is more engrossed with the wedding and the baby.
Jeremy thinks he is not yet ready to be a parent. He shows a lot of doubt and is skeptic about his capabilities as a father. The emotions and feelings Jeremy undergoes are brilliantly composed by the author.

Soon the newlyweds face the hardships of being in a relation. They even hit a road block in their relationship where communication is almost lost. Life changes drastically. Jeremy’s career is hanging by a thread, so is his life, he feels. Amidst the entire trauma that they both endure, Lexie still stands by him as a constant support.

The couple understands and realizes the joys and pains of being in a relationship. They have a lot of issues to resolve before they can move on. Do they do it? Pick up the book to find out. All I can say is that you will surely be surprised at the end of it.

 

It is a bit clichéd in certain ways. Falling in love at first sight; undergoing the emotions of a relationship; coming out stronger; supporting your partner when it is most needed; etc. but none-the-less, it is a story well told. The setting and the characters are interesting and “they touch the cords of your heart”. Portraying human emotions (love, betrayal, tragedy, new beginnings) brilliantly, Sparks has cast his magic once again.

 

Book Review of “The Christmas Sweater” By Glenn Beck

he Christmas Sweater

By Glenn Beck with Kevin Balfe and Jason Wright

 

Here’s a story that is not just for Christmas time, even though the title may make you assume so.

Twelve year old Eddie (the main protagonist) is utterly bitter after his father’s death. He longs for a bike as his Christmas present but ends up getting a homemade sweater from his mother. He compares his life to his friend Taylor’s, who seems to have it all – Disneyland trips and all the material things that claim to make a child happy. But what Taylor longs for is love.

Bratty Eddie mistreats his mother and grandparents, till he encounters lessons on Hope and Love.

This semi-autobiographical “heartwarming Christmas tale” is essentially about redemption, family, love and forgiveness. It is about second chances and how we all deserve forgiveness no matter how big or small the deed is.

No one stands by you through thick and thin but your family foremost. We all have storms (some external, some self created) rising and falling within us each day and we have to fight it all. But not at the cost of losing faith or showering anger on our loved ones. It teaches you to deal with adversity and to keep your faith alive in God and his mysterious ways.

The story is very simple; predictable yet thought provoking; the characters are familiar; the instances and experiences are relatable and leave an unforgettable impression that truly inspires you to be the person God intended you to be.

It has a universal appeal and a message that will surely stir the strings of your heart.

Book Review of “The Last Song” By Nicholas Sparks

The Last Song

By Nicholas Sparks

 

Here’s an emotionally charged novel out of Sparks collection.

A string of human emotions flow– tears, joy, love, heartbreaks, redemption, forgiveness, flow through the journey of “The Last Song”.

It is more of a love story and family drama intervened with friendship and heartbreaks. A highly entertaining read. You’d feel the story is a bit predictable with artificial situations in between but it surely is very touching and moving.

Though the beginning was a bit slow, the story had a great plot, strong character building, and a wonderful ending, full of hysterical moments.

Set in New York, the story is about Veronica “Ronnie” Miller – a rather obnoxious, shallow and a rebellious teenager who is hugely affected by her parents divorce. She takes to wrong company, as a result. Until her father requests Ronnie and her brother Jonah to join him in his North Carolina beach town for the summer. Meeting him after a gap of three years wasn’t easy for Ronnie and so she tries to distance herself from him from the time she sets foot in NC.

It is in NC that Ronnie meets Will and Blaze and Marcus. She experiences love, friendship, trial and death. Her estranged relationship with her father takes a turn and the bond is restored. Learning valuable lesson along her way, she matures into a woman of substance.

Her transformation, realization and acceptance of situations adds a deeper meaning to your thinking as a reader too.

All characters have a unique personality and a defined point of view to interact, interpret and analyze situations. It definitely shows the great skills of Sparks as an ace author.

The characters felt real, believable and relatable. Ronnie as the rebellious, emotionally driven, teenager seeking vengeance from her father; getting involved with the wrong kind of guys; eventually turning a new leaf over after falling in love with the right guy. Jonah as the adorable kid connecting and bonding with his father. Will – the dream guy sticking around for Ronnie all the while. Steve – trying to do the best for his kids; his unconditional love and patience with Ronnie.

The story teaches you to forgive yourself, learn from your mistakes, and grow as a human being. Life is too short to hold grudges or to push people away. And life rarely gives you a second chance – so never let that go.

Overall, it feels like the story of every individual in some way or the other.