The Influence of Mitch Albom’s Works (Tuesdays with Morrie and The Stranger in the Lifeboat) on My Perspective on Life, Death, and Human Connection

I need a reflective essay for school. The essay should explore how an author or book has influenced me personally. I’ve chosen Mitch Albom and two of his books: Tuesdays with Morrie and The Stranger in the Lifeboat. I read Tuesdays with Morrie in 8th grade religion class, and it was the first school-assigned book that really felt personal and meaningful. It made me think differently about what truly matters in life—love, relationships, purpose—not just achievement or productivity. I read The Stranger in the Lifeboat more recently with my grandma. She picked it out at Barnes & Noble, and we read it and talked about it together. That shared experience helped me reflect more deeply on faith, uncertainty, and connection. The essay should show how these books shaped my perspective and emotional growth over time. It doesn’t need to be an academic or literary analysis—just a personal reflection that feels honest, vivid, and emotionally resonant. I want it to sound like a thoughtful, curious high school junior—not overly formal or fake. The tone should be warm, introspective, and natural. You have creative freedom to imagine specific anecdotes or emotional moments that fit this general story. As long as they’re believable and grounded (nothing over-the-top), feel free to add details that help the essay feel more personal and moving—even if I didn’t explicitly provide them. The goal is to show how these books genuinely changed how I think and feel, and to capture a voice that’s mature but still authentic. Structure-wise, something like this would be great: Introduction: Start with a memory or emotional hook that introduces Mitch Albom’s influence. Mention both books briefly. Body Paragraph 1: Focus on Tuesdays with Morrie—when I read it (8th grade religion class), what stuck with me (mortality, love, meaning), and how it affected my outlook. Body Paragraph 2: Focus on The Stranger in the Lifeboat—reading it with my grandma, the conversations it sparked, and how it deepened my thinking about faith, mystery, and connection. Conclusion: Reflect on how these two books, read in such different times and contexts, helped shape me emotionally and intellectually—leaving me more reflective, curious, and open to life’s deeper questions.