Rating: 
Summary: I loved this book
Review: I got this book as a gift before I went on a trip, and I started and finished it on the plane. It is a really compelling story about what the events in your life actually mean. Eddie (the main character) is shown that his life wasn't meaningless, and that his action affected more people than he ever knew. He was also shown that his perception of the important people in his life was so limited. There was much more to them than he ever knew. I highly reccommend this book. It is one of those stories that forces you to think about your own life.
Rating: 
Summary: One way to waste an evening
Review: Spent the evening reading this at the Barnes and Nobles. Sort of cute, in an Old Man and the Sea sort of way, but nothing particularly special. Perhaps I just didn't get it.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Purchase!
Review: When Eddie awakens, he finds himself in a place of his past - Ruby Pier, but Ruby Pier from his childhood. There, he meets up with someone he doesn't initially recognize. He wonders, Where am I? Am I In Heaven? And most importantly, Who Is This Man Before Me? The man sitting in front of him explains, 'there are five people you meet in heaven. Each was in your life for a reason. You may not have known the reason at the time, and that is what heaven is for. For understanding your life on earth.' Eddie begins a journey of visiting his past, trying to understand how the five people and the particular surroundings have anything to do with his life or his death. And that's all I'm going to tell you about the details of this parable because I don't want to ruin the best parts for you. What you should know though is that like Tuesdays With Morrie, The Five People You Meet In Heaven has the power of altering your life forever. Trust me on this one. Also recommended: Tuesdays with Morrie, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez
Rating: 
Summary: I Wanted To Love This Book, Really I Did, But...
Review: I found it just too simplistic in its treatment of our interconnectedness. I did enjoy the sparseness of the writing - but I didn't feel moved by the message at all - and I really wanted to be moved. I would recommend the book as an easy read with a positive message - but not the eye and soul opener that others have labelled it.
Rating:
Summary: Just OK
Review: The book was just ok. I was longing for a "hard to put down" book, but this certainly was not it. I kept going through it thinking that the next chapter or the next person he meets will be better, maybe have a good lesson to teach, say something that will really make you think. But it never really happened. The parts that were the best were when he spoke of his wife and the true love that they had.
Rating:
Summary: Rehashed Tearjerker
Review: Taking into account the popularity of this book (currently 2nd on NY Times bestseller list) and the testimonials of personal acquaintances, I am definitely the minority voice when I say this book is a letdown that offers nothing new for the casual reader. The story begins with the death of an elderly man who finds himself transported to a No-Man's Land that can be described at best as a Kandinsky painting; complete with offbeat hues and shades. The old man, named "Eddie", then proceeds to meet ghosts of his past that unravel the mysteries of his life (sound familiar?) which gives meaning to an otherwise mundane existence. The book is not bad by any means; it is well written and filled with powerful imagery. However, the plot is just a simple, rehashed tale using the age old "power of love" theme, and relies too much on the reader's emotion and sentimentality to carry it through until the conclusion. I recommend this book as a very quick read if you were traveling from, let's say Boston to LA. It immerses you into the story quickly, and no doubt will you find yourself immersed out of it just as quickly after turning the last page. On a side note, I found the references to the afterlife rather interesting; in the sense that Albom (the author) takes for granted that the reader accepts the concept of "heaven", or more importantly, Christianity. While the topic of God will inevitably come into play when dealing with life after death themes, Albom does a good job avoiding the burden of raising and answering theological questions by having his characters give generic responses to the deity, that guarantee not to offend any reader.
Rating:
Summary: True meaning of life
Review: I read this book just before I was to have major surgery. Tuesdays with Morrie was so compelling in a time that needed closure from the passing of my Bubby. The five people you meet in heaven was the second chapter I needed to endure my most heatbreaking experince. My husband is dying of cancer and couldn't be with me in the hospital. He choose to read this book and was sobbing all the way through. We all know a "Eddie". To think he was able to have the honor of making sense of his life when he died was such a blessing to him and all who shared in his pain and sorrow. I truely would recommend this book to anyone who has ever doubted lifes lessons. What a gift!
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommend
Review: Totally uncomplicated - very easy to read - I could not put it down. It has changed the way I "see" things. Lots of subtle lessons in this little book! Michael Albom has a unique way of getting your attention - and initiating a soul search.
Rating:
Summary: What a wonderful book!
Review: I was a bit unsure of this one when I first started the read. I don't tend to deal well with death or relate to characters of a totally different generation and sex then me. However, the book is one that anyone can relate to. The journey it takes you one is so well written and so moving that it can't help but make you do some soul searching of your own. The book is quick. Part of me didn't want to see it end and part of me was happy to see how it did end. Read it, it's worth it!
Rating:
Summary: No surprises
Review: I don't want to say this was a BAD book - just that it exactly met and did not exceed my expectations. I expected that Eddie would meet some people he knew were important in his life and some people whose importance would be revealed to him. Yep. I expected that he would try to resolve some of the parts of his life that were difficult for him. Yep. I expected that it would have some sort of a "happy" ending (quotes are because he did die, after all). Yep. Well - I guess there was one unexpected aspect of it. I expected to care more about Eddie and his life - but I didn't. BUT most people that I have talked to including the person who gave it to me thought it was very moving and fabulous - so maybe there is something wrong with me. At least it was short.
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