The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is a bestselling author, screenwriter, playwright and nationally-syndicated columnist.  The author of five consecutive number one New York Times bestsellers, he has sold more than thirty-four million copies of his books in forty-two languages worldwide.  "Tuesdays with Morrie," which spent four years atop the New York Times list, is the bestselling memoir of all time.

You can't read the above paragraph and not have certain expectations about this book.  And I must say that Albom does not disappoint.  As one of the quotes from this book says, "There are two stories for every life; the one you live and the one others tell."

One morning in the small town of Coldwater, Michigan, the phones start ringing.  The voices say they are calling from heaven.  Each call is greeted differently--some with love, some with religious zeal, some with fear.  The question of whether these calls are a miracle or a hoax drives Sully Harding, a grieving single father with an inquisitive and hopeful son, to uncover the truth.

One of my favorite parts of the book is how he integrated the true story of Alexander Graham Bell into the narrative--and in such a seamless way that really played to the strength of the story.  Albom has always been great at characterization and tucking little bits of life wisdom amongst his dialogue.  Whether or not you believe in loved ones being able to communicate with those who have passed on, this book will make you think and give you an appreciation for not only the miracle of the telephone, but the miracles that love can induce.  A very inspirational book beautifully rendered and full of hope.