I really don’t like “inspirational” stories so I was a bit weirded out when my mom suggested I read this book. It was short, though, and I didn’t have anything else to read so I figured I’d give it a shot.

While a little on the sappy side, this book is actually very interesting. I’d previously written a philosophy paper about why I didn’t believe in Heaven (I got an A on it even though I didn’t think it was very good) but this is one of the few versions of an afterlife that I can accept. The idea of people still existing in a perfect place just doesn’t sit well with me primarily because I see it as pointless: if everything’s perfect, there’s no need to do anything, so why go on existing? Albom’s concept of Heaven is different than what I normally hear about because while people do wind up in their ideal places, they still have a purpose and they still have something to accomplish.

I admit I do also find the book a bit comforting. I don’t take it as fact since that’s not the point, but when relatives die, I like to think about who their five people would be. It’s a way of putting lives in perspective. It’s hard to be sad when I can think of at least five people my relatives have affected for the better.

I also like the characters a lot. Eddie is himself interesting and I liked seeing his story unfold. However, my favorite character is The Blue Man, the first person he meets in Heaven. I’m not really sure why I like him so much, but I do.

In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash
By Jean Shepherd

I think this was a very good book. There were lots of stories in it. They were all very funny. There were stories in it about Christmas time, Tasmanian Devils, jaw breakers, fairs, scratching cars, bad words, leg lamps, and Little Orphan Annie. I think it is very important to drink your Ovaltine. There’s one story about Ralphie writing book reports and it was funny because they all kind of read like this review. He didn’t like writing book reports much but it was a funny story. Jean Shepherd wrote really funny stuff. I think anyone who reads this book would like it. I think it deserves a Major Award.

Oh, man, I love this movie. It’s from the 70’s and it’s pretty obvious from the rather trippy style but the story is great.

Personally, I love having it on DVD because it’s much easier to skip through the crazy musical numbers. I know it was originally a Harry harry Nilsson album and the songs are actually good by themselves, but they just don’t fit into the story line. Still, it’s fun to watch those with friends just to see how they react.

I have a stash of children’s books on my bookshelf and noticed that I didn’t have as many Dr. Seuss books as I’d like. There were a lot I wanted and this book has a lot in it. I’ve added a few more loose books to my stash, but this is still a good collection.

In addition to the 13 stories in the book, there is some fascinating background information about Seuss and his works. My personal favorite extra feature is a couple of notebook pages from The Sleep Book in which Dr. Seuss changed a name from “Van Vlek” to “Van Glek” and then back to “Van Vlek.” Who knew he put so much thought into the silliness? XD

I’m not a manga fanatic - I just like comics in general and will pick up manga titles that interest me - but I’m gradually becoming a Tezuka fanatic. I’m in the process of consuming this series as well as his Buddha manga but I doubt I’ll stop there.