Description: From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Tuesdays With Morrie comes this long-awaited follow-up, an enchanting, beautifully crafted novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold.

Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. As the park has changed over the years — from the Loop-the-Loop to the Pipeline Plunge — so, too, has Eddie changed, from optimistic youth to embittered old age. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.

Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. With his final breath, he feels two small hands in his — and then nothing. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever.

One by one, Eddie’s five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself.

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom gives us an astoundingly original story that will change everything you’ve ever thought about the afterlife — and the meaning of our lives here on earth. With a timeless tale, appealing to all, this is a book that readers of fine fiction, and those who loved Tuesdays with Morrie, will treasure.

Nominated for the 2006 Books for a Better Life Award

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn’t stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an “excitement addict.” Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town — and the family — Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents’ betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her ownstory. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

Oh yes. It is finally here. I’ve only been waiting TWO YEARS. I saw the first Kingdom Hearts in a geek show on the G4 network years ago. It is THE reason we bought a PS2. And now. Here is it’s sequel.

I am so gonna lose my job over this game!

Last month, as the Girl was finishing up her quarter at school, she posted about how much she detested group projects (sorry, Girl, I couldn’t find the specific post to link to!). I commented on said post just how much I agreed with her.

And now it’s my turn…

I HATE GROUP PROJECTS!!!

My last group presentation was rough but I only had one partner and although he didn’t put forth too much effort on the project, at least he actually showed up.
This time around, I have to do a presentation with three other people. We were assigned our topics and our partners two weeks ago (the week before Spring Break). One of our group members hasn’t been in class for a month. Earlier this week, I passed him in the hall while I was at work. He stopped me to talk. Here is an exciting bit of the conversation:

Him: Hey, I need to ask you a couple questions.
Me: Okay. Shoot.
Him: Hey, so, like, did our group meet or anything before break?
Me: No, not yet. Our work day is next Tuesday. Instead of class we’re supposed to meet.
Him: Oh, man, I can’t make it.
Me: Alright well we can try to meet after class sometime.
Him: Aww no I can’t do that.
Me: Alright well we can work something out maybe.
Him: Okay. So, did I miss anything before break?
Me: Yeah. We had our midterm.
Him: OH MAN! Shit. You think she’d let me make it up?
Me: Probably not.
Him: Shit. Was it worth a lot of points?
Me: Uh, well, considering we only have two exams in the entire class, I think it’s worth a lot, yeah.
Him: Dang.
Me: Will you be in class today?
Him: Oh yeah for sure.

No. He wasn’t there.
I alerted my other two presenation partners of his, um, lameness. He appeared at the classroom door just after class was let out so hopefully he’s making a smart move and trying to withdraw from the class. Doubtful though. He’s probably begging to make up the test. Ding dong.

*update*
Turns out, he didn’t withdraw from the class as he was there yesterday. He sat in the back row and talked to his girlfriend throughout the entire lecture. How annoying. After class he came up to us to find out when and where our group is meeting next week then he took off. He doesn’t even know what our presentation is on! And it’s highly doubtful that he actually read the chapter! DUHHHH!

I got my midterm and first presentation grades back: 100% on both. I so rock.

Per some of your suggestions, here are the next couple of books we’ll be reading after The Glass Castle:

The Five People You Meet in Heaven (and if you haven’t read Tuesdays with Morrie yet, read that, too…it’s excellent!)

To Kill a Mockingbird

Smashed

The Queen’s Fool

The Poisonwood Bible