Reading Response Model

A novel that I have already read, but have decided to re-read is Mitch

Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. It is a non-fiction novel/memoir about

Albom’s relationship with his “old professor” Morrie Schwartz. I don’t re- read too many books, but the life messages and positive attitude expressed through Morrie, despite that he is dying a horrible death after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, are inspiring. Morrie spends his last fourteen Tuesday’s with his former professor, recording his wisdom and advice on everything from, death, marriage, money, love, regrets, feeling sorry for yourself, to culture. Through Morrie’s life and advice, every reader gains a new perspective on the importance of how we live life.

Albom’s decision to record the actual dialogue between he and Morrie makes the story even more compelling. Morrie passes away, but Albom is able to record and capture the motivating and insightful words of a very dedicated community activist and professor, so that we can all learn from his last lessons in life. His advice and statements are often just common sense, but they remind me of the life I want to lead and that negativity and cynicism can only waste our time and leave us feeling empty: “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you meaning and purpose” (Albom 43). This particular passage really struck me the first time I read it because I agree with it in entirety.

I believe that we do get so caught up in our daily routines and things that we think we have to do that we forget to make time to really do the things that are most important to us. Part of the reason I believe that this is a novel worth reading and re-reading is to remind yourself to make the most of your life and re-focus your time if you are getting too caught up in required, but unfulfilling, daily tasks.

The life messages and advice that Morrie gives Mitch in their Tuesday meetings are universal. In this, I mean that they are broad enough that they can relate to and encompass every single person and not just a select age group or gender. If you are a reader that has already contemplated these aspects of life you can immediately connect, but if you haven’t already given his statements some thought on your own, they make you think about yourself, your life, and your society: “Dying is only one thing to be sad over,

Mitch. Living unhappily is something else. . .Well, for one thing, the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We’re teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. Create your own” (Albom 37).

It is easy to enjoy a book and remember that you connected to it, but if you forget the very ideas that you connected to, then re-reading it can allow you to take more away from it the second time. I have not yet encountered another story with so much indirect advice that is relevant to so many people.

Note that the teal equals my responses/ideas, the yellow is

summary/details from the text, and the purple equals supporting

quotations. Aim for this degree of balance—only share enough details of

plot to clarify your “thinking.” Always support with quotations.