Every student should read at least one Mitch Albom book before entering adulthood. Albom is best known for his inspirational novels that focus on valuable topics such as forgiveness, regret, and spirituality. With seven #1 New York Times Best Sellers, it may be difficult to choose a book to begin your Mitch Albom journey, so here are my top three recommendations.

#3: The Five People You Meet in Heaven

 The Five People You Meet in Heaven follows Eddie, an amusement park maintenance worker, at the fictional Ruby Pier who feels stuck in a seemingly meaningless life. After a malfunction with a ride occurs, Eddie is killed and sent to the afterlife. He is confronted by five people who have had an impact on his life, forcing him to reflect on moments that he would rather forget. In his journey through purgatory, the five people prove to Eddie that his life was full of purpose. Published in 2003, The Five people You Meet In Heaven has sold more than six million copies worldwide. At only 194 pages the philosophical novel is definitely worth the quick read.

#2: The Timekeeper

Published in 2012, The Timekeeper follows the man who invented the first clock, Dor. He is punished by God, banished to a cave and forced to listen to every person’s complaints about time. Eventually, Dor is thrown into the present to meet two very different people. A teenage girl, Sarah, with a wish to end her life, and a man named Victor nearing the end of his life wishing to live for eternity. Ultimately, Dor teaches both Sarah and Victor that our days on Earth are limited for a reason: “to make each one precious.”

#1: Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie tells the story of college professor Morrie Schwartz’s battle with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS is a nervous system disease that breaks down nerve cells which are responsible for muscle movement. Although Albom and Morrie had fallen out of touch they reconnected after Albom had seen an interview with Morrie on Nightline. As Morrie’s condition worsened, Albom traveled from Detroit to Massachusetts every Tuesday. In these visits, Morrie addressed life’s greatest topics from education to the meaning of life. What makes Tuesdays with Morrie particularly impactful is that unlike many of Albom’s other popular novels, this is a true story. Despite losing control of his body, Morrie inspires those around him, first Mitch, then people all over the world with 17.5 million copies that have been sold in 48 different languages. Morrie and Albom’s ability to touch the hearts of readers even after Morrie’s death certainly serves as proof for Morrie’s quote, “Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

Personally, I believe that Mitch Albom is one of the most inspirational authors. His novels teach lessons about forgiveness, life, and the true meaning of happiness that readers can take beyond the page. Albom’s novels have tremendously impacted my mentality along with so many other readers around the world. So, the next time you find yourself in a reading slump, consider picking up one of Albom’s novels; you may find a new favorite author.