Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)

This book was again gifted by one of my friends, and I happened to read it during a period when I was facing many discomforts in my career. Struggles at work, questions about direction, and a lingering sense of emotional fatigue had clouded my clarity. But Tuesdays with Morrie came as a game changer. It helped me reset the way I looked at life — not just professionally, but at a much deeper level. This was not just a read; it was a quiet conversation with life itself.

The book tells the true story of Mitch Albom, a busy sports journalist, and his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is battling the final stages of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). After seeing Morrie on a television interview, Mitch reconnects with his mentor, and what begins as a visit becomes a series of meaningful Tuesdays. Each Tuesday, they talk about one essential topic of life — love, work, death, family, regrets, forgiveness, and the meaning of it all. These aren’t lectures. They are heartfelt dialogues between a dying man who has lived fully and a younger man who is rediscovering what it means to be alive.

What deeply resonated with me was how easily we can connect with Morrie’s words — especially when we talk with retired individuals or those nearing the end of their careers. There’s a silent wisdom in those reflections, something that only experience can teach. Tuesdays with Morrie gently nudges us to understand that life is all about how we approach people, situations, and the very flow of existence. If we can create even small moments in which we feel proud of how we acted or simply feel good about being who we are — that is life. That’s the direction we should all move toward.

The quotes from this book, which strikes me are:

"I traded lots of dreams for a bigger paycheck, and I never even realized I was doing it"

"The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We're teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it. Create your own. Most people can't do it"

"Death ends a life, not a relationship"

"The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live"

"Everyone knows they are going to die,' he said again, 'but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently."

The emotional depth of the book especially strikes hard when it describes Morrie's final days. It’s sentimental, yes — but it’s not just about death. It’s about accepting death as part of life. Morrie does not resist it; he embraces it with grace, joy, and a gentle smile. That made me pause: Can we all do that? Can we treat even our end as a phase to live, not fear?

In our daily chaos — chasing deadlines, managing personal stress, social obligations — we rarely ask ourselves: Why am I doing all this? This book brings you back to that essential question. It strips away the noise and shows you what really matters.

I strongly recommend Tuesdays with Morrie to everyone — especially to those just starting to read. The language is simple, the philosophies are digestible, and the lessons linger long after you close the final page. It’s not just a book; it’s a mirror.

Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is a highly acclaimed American author, sports journalist, talk show host, and philanthropist His books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide and are known for their inspirational and moving themes.Albom has written numerous bestsellers, including the widely popular memoir Tuesdays with Morrie, which chronicles his visits with his dying college professor and has been translated into multiple languages. Other popular works include The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, and Have a Little Faith.

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4.8 out of 5

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