Review: The next person you meet in heaven, Mitch Albom.

@debbies.little.bookshelf

As with any sequel, especially those of a book I truly love, I worry and fear that the original story will be ruined or the magic lost. But not here, I love this book.

Growing up, Annie experienced a life full of bullying, sacrifice, self consciousness, and an overprotective mother. Annie was lonely and heartbroken after many series of unfortunate events. When she grew up, she got through by throwing herself into her occupation as a nurse until reuniting and marrying the love of her life Paulo. Only to get into a fatal accident as a newlywed whereby she ends up in heaven to meet her five people. Inevitably one being Eddie, the protagonist of the original novel, the man who saved her life all those years ago.

This short read devoured all of my attention, broke my heart, put it back together again, has me laying awake at night still thinking about it. Books like this help us see life differently, and make changes within our own. It is so insightful and amazing and weirdly comforting, the perfect sequel.

I love the way Mitch’s version of the afterlife allows for people to say everything they wish they could have said on earth. Being a daughter to a mum who has made countless sacrifices, many that I will probably never know of, this was an emotional read. Annie’s mum as a character is a reminder to always have grace and love and courage, but in all of that, never be afraid to be honest with those who love you. Resentment and hate builds when there is a lack of understanding as to why a person is the way they are, or behaves the way that they do. This resentment and hate can only be transformed into forgiveness and love after effective communication - which requires a level of emotional availability and vulnerability that some people are often not prepared to offer until it is too late.

Paulo and Annie make me cry cry cry. Through them Mitch tells a beautiful story of true love.

Annie deserved her boy that she never forgot about from school, he never forgot about her either. Love may present itself and show up in your life for a period of time but then you're just not ready for it and it's not quite right, it hurts you and pushes you to learn about yourself. Then one day it knocks on your door again when you're least expecting it and you're ready for real, love will come when it comes, simple as that! And I think that's beautiful

Fears and anxieties are inhibiting and significantly take away from the experience of truly living, loving, and learning the way life intended. Do what it is you want to do, say what you want to say, be authentically you and take the time to learn what and who that is.