Dec 22, 2013

Book Review: The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom

The Sunday Salon.com Welcome to the Sunday Salon! Also visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer, and It's Monday: What Are You Reading? at Book Journey. Also, Mailbox Monday hosted by Rose City Reader this month.


The First Phone Call From Heaven was published November 12, 2013 by Harper. I won't call this a book review but a commentary on the novel, which I received from the publisher as an uncopyedited manuscript. The manuscript started out as an article of faith, with numerous people from a small town receiving phone calls from their deceased loved ones. The story then becomes a kind of mystery when one member of the town, who is still grieving a lost wife but who has never received a phone call from heaven, decides to look into a rational explanation for the calls. The story then turns into something more sublime. And I won't let on what the ending is, of course.

The manuscript was a quick and easy read but so gripping that it had me wanting to know the final outcome of this strange phenomenon of phone calls from heaven.  I rated it 5 stars on goodreads.

I am now reading a library book, The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes, a novel of occupied France in the 1910s, when a German commandant tempts a young wife into indescretions to save the life of her imprisoned husband, an artist. This novel is also gripping, and I am anxious to see the outcome.

Books I received for review include Books 1 and 2 in the Beautiful series by Jamie McGuire -
Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster, YA novels, and
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley, a family drama,
Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman, an historical romance and mystery
The Caravaggio Conspiracy by Alex Connor, thriller, art mystery


What are you reading these days, and what arrived last week in your mailbox?


9 comments:

  1. I'm curious about Savage Girl...and I'm eagerly awaiting The Deepest Secret, preordered. Enjoy your week! Here's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES

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  2. Harvee, I read Mitch Albom's latest novel recently. I hope you will enjoy Savage Girl.

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  3. The First Phone Call From Heaven sounds fascinating! The cover and plotline for Savage Girl sound good too.
    Happy Reading and I hope you have a great week!

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  4. I know several people who really had good things to say about First Phone Call from Heaven. I think that this story would have great potential as long as it did not drift into triteness.

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  5. Gorgeous cover of Savage Girl! Happy holidays :)

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  6. I enjoyed The First Phone Call From Heaven and The Girl You Left Behind. I hope you enjoy all of your books. Have a great week!

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  7. I got Savage Girl as well. I hope all of your new books are winners!

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  8. A friend really enjoyed The First Phone Call From Heaven. Glad you did too.

    Enjoy your new books...looks like a great week for you and a great mailbox.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Mailbox Monday

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  9. I didn't read The Five People You Meet In Heaven, but did see the movie which I didn't like much. I really should read the book since I think they are always better than the movie. Then I'd like to read the First Phone Call from Heaven. Hope you enjoy your new books!

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I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

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