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The First Phone Call from Heaven
by
Mitch Albom (Goodreads Author)
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief--and a page-turner that will touch
...more
Hardcover, 323 pages
Published
November 12th 2013
by Harper
(first published November 11th 2013)
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(showing 1-30)
"No soul remembered is ever truly gone."
P.S. Mom, I'm still waiting for the phone to ring!
Interesting premise but was let down by the lack of emotional connection I typically feel when reading a Mitch Albom book. Was more of a mystery book then an emotional/inspirational book.
I know that to some people religion is the basis of life and why they are 'here'. I think religion is indeed 'the opiate of the masses', it exists so people don't have to face up to the consequences of their own actions. They can blame it on fate, some old guy up in the sky, or lots of people up in the sky, or the one down below in the pit, or the ones with lots of arms or blue heads or two faces or or or... there are so many gods to choose from and everyone who believes in one or more of them i
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So ready to love this! Mitch Albom's books truly are life-changing and incredibly inspiring; I love each and every one of them.
Just realized the release date reads: eleven / twelve / thirteen.
edit on Dec 12th, 2013
I am truly, madly, deeply sorry, but this book landed itself onto my list of disappointing books of 2013. In addition to this year's Towering, Splintered, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, know that it is with a heavy heart that I sadly rank The First Phone Call From Heaven among t ...more
Just realized the release date reads: eleven / twelve / thirteen.
edit on Dec 12th, 2013
I am truly, madly, deeply sorry, but this book landed itself onto my list of disappointing books of 2013. In addition to this year's Towering, Splintered, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, know that it is with a heavy heart that I sadly rank The First Phone Call From Heaven among t ...more
I loved the backstory of Alexander Graham Bell as it coincided with the current day story, it has given me the desire to read more about Bell's personal life. My favorite quotes "What is false about hope?" and Faith is believing without the need for proof. I would read this story again.
Τρυφερό,συγκινητικό,ανθρώπινο,και παραδόξως ρεαλιστικό.
Όμορφη γραφή,γρήγορη πλοκή, επιστημονικές ανακαλύψεις και πλοκή προσώπων και γεγονότων δημιουργούν μια γλυκιά ατμόσφαιρα με έντονα συναισθήματα και αναπάντητα ερωτήματα που βασανίζουν ανέκαθεν το ανθρώπινο είδος!
Η αγάπη σε όλο της το μεγαλείο και σε πολλές εκφάνσεις πρωτοστατεί.
Ο πόνος μπροστά στο μη αναστρέψιμο ειναι κυρίαρχος δίνοντας προτεραιότητα στην ελπίδα για να τον γιατρέψει και σε δεύτερη μοίρα έρχονται η παρηγοριά η λήθη και ο χρ ...more
Όμορφη γραφή,γρήγορη πλοκή, επιστημονικές ανακαλύψεις και πλοκή προσώπων και γεγονότων δημιουργούν μια γλυκιά ατμόσφαιρα με έντονα συναισθήματα και αναπάντητα ερωτήματα που βασανίζουν ανέκαθεν το ανθρώπινο είδος!
Η αγάπη σε όλο της το μεγαλείο και σε πολλές εκφάνσεις πρωτοστατεί.
Ο πόνος μπροστά στο μη αναστρέψιμο ειναι κυρίαρχος δίνοντας προτεραιότητα στην ελπίδα για να τον γιατρέψει και σε δεύτερη μοίρα έρχονται η παρηγοριά η λήθη και ο χρ ...more
“Desire sets our compass, but real life steers our course.”
This was my second novel of Mitch Albom. The first one was The Time Keeper and I love that book, carrying a lot of life lessons. This one, too. Mitch Albom is really one of the master-of-life-lessons writers.
The book speaks the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when the media broadcast to the world that its citizens start receiving phone calls from their loved ones in the afterlife. Is it really the g ...more
I have read all of Mitch's books: Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Have a Little Faith, For One More Day, and The Time Keeper. I've liked all of them, except The Time Keeper, a lot. The Time Keeper was just okay. This latest, The First Phone Call from Heaven, is definitely my favorite. Here is a very short synopsis from Goodreads:
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiv ...more
The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiv ...more
I was not impressed with this book. Having just read The Five People You Meet in Heaven a few days prior, and loved it, I was expecting more of the same from The First Phone Call From Heaven. Unfortunately, nothing I loved about TFPYMIH carried over into this book. While the theme of TFPYMIH centered on understanding your own life in relation to others, the theme of TFPCFH just seemed to be whether it was believable enough that Heaven existed or not. Since the start of the novel I found it diffi
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In life people either believe in Heaven and an afterlife or they do not. Reading this book, the characters are also split into two camps. There are those who believe they are receiving phone calls from loved ones who are dead and others who dismiss the whole thing as a hoax. But which is it? Sully Harding is determined to find out the truth. The story contains interesting characters from different backgrounds who receive these phone calls and so the reader gets several viewpoints throughout the
...more
Dec 28, 2015
Nikoleta
rated it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
magical-realist,
ghostly
Αρκετά γλυκό βιβλίο που διαβάζεται ευχάριστα ξεκούραστα και γρήγορα. Βέβαια το περίμενα ένα "τσακ" καλύτερο. Ξεκινάει με την ιστορία να πλασάρεται ως φιλοσοφικού περιεχομένου, αλλά την βρήκα αρκετά αφελή, ώστε να μην το πεις βιβλίο φιλοσοφικού περιεχομένου. Σε αυτό το κομμάτι θα το έλεγα απλά… γλυκούλι! Στη συνέχεια μας το γυρίζει σε μυστηρίου… μπαααααααααα ούτε για πλάκα, ως προς αυτό το κομμάτι, θα το έλεγα απλώς… ενδιαφέρον.
Πρωτότυπη ιστορία, ενδιαφέρουσα που θα μπορούσε βεβαία να ειπωθεί και ...more
Πρωτότυπη ιστορία, ενδιαφέρουσα που θα μπορούσε βεβαία να ειπωθεί και ...more
داستان افرادی در یک شهر کوچک که تلفن هایی از عزیزان مرده شان دریافت می کنند.و شخصی که به این تماس ها شک دارد و به دنبال اصل قضیه می گردد.
نکته ی جالب قضیه اینجاست که افراد بی ایمانی هم که از اول قضیه رو کتمان می کردن،احتمالا زمانی که کاترین در برابر همه منتظر تماس بود، توجه شان به اون سمت بوده. روح آدمی همیشه براش سخته که باور کنه زندگی چیز پوچیه و ما بی هیچ هدفی زندگی می کنیم و در نهایت چیزی نیست.
کتاب جالبی بود. هرچند که من از یادداشت برداری جملات نغز کتاب ها بدم میاد، ولی دلم میخواست جملات این ...more
نکته ی جالب قضیه اینجاست که افراد بی ایمانی هم که از اول قضیه رو کتمان می کردن،احتمالا زمانی که کاترین در برابر همه منتظر تماس بود، توجه شان به اون سمت بوده. روح آدمی همیشه براش سخته که باور کنه زندگی چیز پوچیه و ما بی هیچ هدفی زندگی می کنیم و در نهایت چیزی نیست.
کتاب جالبی بود. هرچند که من از یادداشت برداری جملات نغز کتاب ها بدم میاد، ولی دلم میخواست جملات این ...more
Sometimes, love brings you together even as life keeps you apart.
Before you read the book, don't forget to ask yourself this: How much do you believe in the story?
The First Phone Call from Heaven is one of my favorite books written by my favorite author, Mitch Albom. His books are mostly about lessons of life and beliefs in God, and this one is no exception. The story began with some phone calls from the characters' late loved ones in a fictional Coldwater, Michigan. (Even though there's a real ...more
Before you read the book, don't forget to ask yourself this: How much do you believe in the story?
The First Phone Call from Heaven is one of my favorite books written by my favorite author, Mitch Albom. His books are mostly about lessons of life and beliefs in God, and this one is no exception. The story began with some phone calls from the characters' late loved ones in a fictional Coldwater, Michigan. (Even though there's a real ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
On the day the world received its first phone call from heaven, Tess Rafferty was unwrapping a box of tea.
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I was very lucky to get this book to review it before it is released.
I'm a fan of Mitch Albom's books anyways, & this one did not disappoint.
People are getting phone calls from heaven - some from family members that have passed away. Children, sisters. Even an employee is getting a phone call from someone he had to fire. Are the phone calls real? The world wants to know ...more
_________________
I was very lucky to get this book to review it before it is released.
I'm a fan of Mitch Albom's books anyways, & this one did not disappoint.
People are getting phone calls from heaven - some from family members that have passed away. Children, sisters. Even an employee is getting a phone call from someone he had to fire. Are the phone calls real? The world wants to know ...more
When I first heard the concept of this book all I could think about was the song by Justin Moore "If Heaven wasn't so far away", which is about what we would do if we could go visit our loved ones in Heaven. It's a favourite song of mine, and therefore, when this book reminded me of it, I knew that I had to read this book.
I have never read any of Mitch Albom's books before, but I found this one very enjoyable.
I lost my mother two years ago, and reading this book would bring me to tears just thin ...more
I have never read any of Mitch Albom's books before, but I found this one very enjoyable.
I lost my mother two years ago, and reading this book would bring me to tears just thin ...more
چه چیزی در زندگی هست که عشق در آن نتواند رسوخ کند؟
و هیچ کس، اگر به یادش باشیم، از پیش ما نمی رود...
اعتراف می کنم که اگه هر پایان دیگه ای جز این داشت، واقعا ناامید میشدم. ولی حالا حس می کنم تمام صفحه هایی که ورق زدم معنی دارن...
و از زیبایی های دیگه این کتاب:
شاید خیال کنید باید آدمی که گواهِ حقیقی بودنِ بهشت را همراهش دارد در آغوش بگیرند و خوشامد بگویند. اما حتی در حضور معجزه هم قلب انسان می گوید چرا من نه؟
عجیبه نه؟
A 4.5. I was a lucky goodreads first reads winner of "The First Phone Call From Heaven" I have always liked Mitch Albom's books. He has a talent for writing books that are heart felt and touching.
The First Phone Call From Heaven takes place in Coldwater Michigan. Sully has just got out of jail and is grieving over his wife who died in a car crash. He is trying to pick up the pieces and raise his young son. Soon news hits the small town that some of the towns people are receiving phone calls fr ...more
The First Phone Call From Heaven takes place in Coldwater Michigan. Sully has just got out of jail and is grieving over his wife who died in a car crash. He is trying to pick up the pieces and raise his young son. Soon news hits the small town that some of the towns people are receiving phone calls fr ...more
Silly, slow, and boring! Reading this turned out to be an utter chore. I’ve loved almost all of Mitch Albom’s books, most especially “Tuesdays with Morrie”. I’ve loved some of them so much, that we even own a few of the DVDs. Naturally, I was looking forward to reading this one, but it turned out to be quite disappointing to say the least. There were too many characters and I really didn’t care about any of them. The stories kept jumping around to the point of confusion and annoyance. I normally
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You can listen to my book review on WKAR's Current State here: http://wkar.org/post/book-review-mitc...
If you would rather read my review, you can do so below.
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Picture a bookstore as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Can you see it? There is the salad bar, the pasta, the breakfast area with the waffle maker, the giant slab of ham or beef. Okay, let’s skip all the healthy things and aim for the dessert table. You know how at every buffet there is that one enormous piece of chocolate cake?
Well, for me, M ...more
If you would rather read my review, you can do so below.
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Picture a bookstore as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Can you see it? There is the salad bar, the pasta, the breakfast area with the waffle maker, the giant slab of ham or beef. Okay, let’s skip all the healthy things and aim for the dessert table. You know how at every buffet there is that one enormous piece of chocolate cake?
Well, for me, M ...more
How would you feel if you could speak to a deceased love one? Not through a clairvoyant or a Ouija Board; but simply on a telephone. How would it affect your life and that of your community? This is precisely the topic in five-time best-selling author Mitch Albom’s, “The First Phone Call from Heaven”.
Readers familiar with Albom’s works will recognize his short story-esque writing which aims to blend inspiration, theology, and philosophy in between the text of a fictional plotline. With that bein ...more
Readers familiar with Albom’s works will recognize his short story-esque writing which aims to blend inspiration, theology, and philosophy in between the text of a fictional plotline. With that bein ...more
Once again Albom pulls at your heart strings and makes you think - and cry. Full review to come later
The Good Stuff
I think we all know by know that I am not much of a religion girl, but won't lie I am a sucker for Albom's stories. Mostly because they deal more with faith than with religion
pulls at your heart strings and makes you think - and cry
A neat little mystery woven into this tale of faith, death, grief, forgiveness and hope
You get a little history lesson about Alexander Graham Bell
...more
The Good Stuff
I think we all know by know that I am not much of a religion girl, but won't lie I am a sucker for Albom's stories. Mostly because they deal more with faith than with religion
pulls at your heart strings and makes you think - and cry
A neat little mystery woven into this tale of faith, death, grief, forgiveness and hope
You get a little history lesson about Alexander Graham Bell
...more
4.5 rating! The Five People You Meet in Heaven is still my favorite!!
This is now my fourth book I have read from Mitch Albom. He has a way of writing that almost seems like you are sitting in front of him while he's lecturing, teaching, and telling a story.
This story is such a great book for conversation; much like the book, "Heaven is for Real". Albom takes this idea of the dead communicating from Heaven by telephone and turns it into a heart warming tale of forgiveness, hope, love, and belie ...more
This is now my fourth book I have read from Mitch Albom. He has a way of writing that almost seems like you are sitting in front of him while he's lecturing, teaching, and telling a story.
This story is such a great book for conversation; much like the book, "Heaven is for Real". Albom takes this idea of the dead communicating from Heaven by telephone and turns it into a heart warming tale of forgiveness, hope, love, and belie ...more
It's such an enjoyable and an inspiring read from Mitch Albom! He never fails to make me emotional. I recommend this book to everyone.
I love how this book focuses on different characters. Each one of them experienced of losing someone they love or someone closest to their hearts. Their faith has been tested, believing that God exists and there is life after death. Also coping up with loss. Miracles indeed happen in life, but miracles will come if you pray to God for guidance and of course, you h ...more
I love how this book focuses on different characters. Each one of them experienced of losing someone they love or someone closest to their hearts. Their faith has been tested, believing that God exists and there is life after death. Also coping up with loss. Miracles indeed happen in life, but miracles will come if you pray to God for guidance and of course, you h ...more
This is a remarkable short novel. The reader is really caught up in the plot. People are receiving phone calls from deceased relatives. The message? All is well. Except for one recipient ...
One man decides this can't be true. His doubt and his questions drive the novels narrative to an unpredicatable conclusion.
Albom writes like a master.
One man decides this can't be true. His doubt and his questions drive the novels narrative to an unpredicatable conclusion.
Albom writes like a master.
نگاه متفاوتی که نویسنده به ماجراهای بعد از مرگ و ادامه زندگی به گونه ایی خاص داره، برام جالب توجه بود. این کتاب میچ آلبوم هم با این که قراره از بهشت چیزی بگه در واقع به بازتاب زندگی ایی که آدما درهمین دنیای خودشون دارند تاکید کرده. از نوشته های این نویسنده خوشم میاد چون معمولا بافت روان و یکدستی دارند و ماجراهای به ظاهر خاص، بدون پیچیدگی و اضافه گویی پیش میرند.
You have done it again, Mitch Albom. You are a fantastic storyteller!
Mitch Albom is no stranger to us. For many of us, his name is synonymous with the kind of book that reflects on the meaning and lessons of life. Personally, Tuesdays With Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, And Life’s Great Lesson, first published in 1997, has been my favorite. And I like the idea of heaven reaching out to us down here - through the phone, which is the overall theme of his latest book. And coming as it is just a little over a month before Christmas, I think it is timely.
The First P ...more
The First P ...more
The Week It Happened...
On the day the world received its first phone call from heaven, Tess Rafferty was unwrapping a box of tea bags.
Drrrnnn!
She ignored the ring and dug her nails into the plastic.
Drrrnnn!
She clawed her forefinger through the bumpy part on the side.
Drrrnnn!
Finally, she made a rip, then peeled off the wrapping and scrunched it in her palm. She knew the phone would go the answering machine if she didn't grab it before one more -
Drrrnnn -
"Hello?"
Too late.
"Ach, this thing," she ...more
On the day the world received its first phone call from heaven, Tess Rafferty was unwrapping a box of tea bags.
Drrrnnn!
She ignored the ring and dug her nails into the plastic.
Drrrnnn!
She clawed her forefinger through the bumpy part on the side.
Drrrnnn!
Finally, she made a rip, then peeled off the wrapping and scrunched it in her palm. She knew the phone would go the answering machine if she didn't grab it before one more -
Drrrnnn -
"Hello?"
Too late.
"Ach, this thing," she ...more
A great read. A bit conflicted… as usual, I really enjoy Mitch Albom's books but I have a slightly hard time reconciling that. ;-) It's like declaring an allegiance I don't want to declare. But that's silly because he's a fantastic writer and the books are wonderful, and, to me, more about human relationships (incl. loss/grief) than proselytizing. (I think the secular way to think about it is: these are fairytales [Albom's own word re: his stories, from "Five People You Meet in Heaven" movie com
...more
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| Should I plow through? | 2 | 6 | Oct 17, 2016 07:09AM |
Mitchell David Albom is an author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have collectively sold over 35 million copies worldwide; have been published in forty-one territories and in forty-two languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies.
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“There are two stories for every life; the one you live & the one others tell”
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“You have to start over. That's what they say. But life is not a board game, and losing a loved one is never really "starting over." More like "continuing without.”
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