For One More Day in Pick-a-Shelf

Dec 30, 2009 Alicia rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011-reads

This book has touched on many emotions for me. I find myself feeling sadness, anger, and regret. Not only was I drawn into Chick's story, but I was also forced to consider my own. While reading about Chick's relationship with his mother, I thought about my relationship (if you'd call it that) with my own mother.

For 22 years, my mom was fantastic. We were close. She was devoted to taking care of my two brothers and me. When I was 22, she suddenly changed. She left my father to be with another man This book has touched on many emotions for me. I find myself feeling sadness, anger, and regret. Not only was I drawn into Chick's story, but I was also forced to consider my own. While reading about Chick's relationship with his mother, I thought about my relationship (if you'd call it that) with my own mother.

For 22 years, my mom was fantastic. We were close. She was devoted to taking care of my two brothers and me. When I was 22, she suddenly changed. She left my father to be with another man and turned her back on her three children. In the last three years, I've attempted to maintain a relationship with her, only to be shot down again and again. Her significant other has become her main priority, despite the fact that he's mentally abusive towards her. I finally made the difficult decision to give up on her. There are only so many times a person can be rejected by one of the people who are supposed to never reject you.

A line in For One More Day stays with me. When Chick realizes his day with his mother is drawing to an end, he becomes upset that he will lose her. His mom says, "You can't lose your mother, Charley. I'm right here." This line was like a punch in the gut for me. I wish I believed it, but I just don't. I lost my mother. Sure, she lives about 20 minutes from me, but I've lost her. She's not a part of my life anymore.

I think this book also resonated with me, because I'm mere weeks from having my first child. I have these expectations of how I'll be as a mother. I know I don't want to be like my mother has been these last few years, and I never want my daughter to feel what I have felt.

I've often wondered what it would be like to have just one more day with my mom. Not a day with her as she is now, but a day with the way she used to be. I often imagine us going out for lunch or shopping. I think of how we talked all the time, discussing the events of our days. While I know that we may someday have a relationship again, I also know that it will never be the way it was. This makes me so very sad. I wish I had that again.

For One More Day is another example of how Mitch Albom's books cut you to the core. They aren't just food for the mind, but they are food for the soul, too. I find the writing to be simple, and I think this is best, especially given the thoughts and emotions evoked from the content. The story is simple, yet so full of meaning. ...more

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Mar 01, 2009 Lennie rated it really liked it

Chick Benetto, an alcoholic, has reached a low point in his life and so returns to the house in which he grew up in only to find his mother there (She's suppose to be deceased). They talk and reconnect while she tries to help him repair his life. He soon realizes that his mother has always been there for him and he took her for granted. It's a touching story and after I read it, it made me appreciate my own mother. ...more

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Sep 19, 2008 Kellie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2007-reads

This is a story about a man who is at the lowest point of his life. Suicidal. During the attempt to take his life, he ends up at the house of his childhood. His deceased mother is there (alive?) and he is able to spend a short time with her. He learns about her life while he was growing up. Things he never knew. Sacrifices she made. The guilt he had felt since her death overwhelms him. But he is able to tell her he loves her, he misses her and that she was a good mother. There is a quote in this ...more

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Dec 06, 2008 Abbyb1 rated it really liked it

I definitely like "Five People" more but this book was timely because my father was so sick when I read it. I've since lent it out (almost 2 years ago) and still haven't got it back. It's one I wouldn't mind rereading now that my father is dead. What I wouldn't give to have just one more day with him now! ...more

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Nov 02, 2008 Gracee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: inspirational

Another heart warming, tear jerking book from my hero Mitch Albom, he writes the best books of all time and i guarantee that your money is really worth it.
This book is all about Chick Benetto's struggling life. He was given another day or so he thinks to spend it with his dead mother, He regrets never having to spend time with her and worst of all, not telling her for the last time how he love her plus he wasn't even there at the time she needed him most. It's a guilt book, if you feel like you ...more

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Mar 03, 2010 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, z2010

Very sweet book and a really lovely idea. Makes you want to make the most of each day you have.

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Aug 17, 2007 Joanie rated it it was ok

Not as good at "Tuesdays with Morrie" or "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" but okay. The story of a man who attempts/commits suicide and gets to spend one more day with his already deceased mother. ...more

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