"There were signs in these boxes that there had been a better me: a more curious, adventurous, and compassionate individual who had taken risks to do the right thing. Too often, though, my fears had taken over, creating the unfinished business that kept holding me back."~Unfinished Business, Lee Kravitz
Ten boxes of stuff that have been stored for thirteen years lead to a unique and fulfilling year for Lee Kravitz, a workaholic who has just lost his job as editor-in-chief of Parade magazine. As he goes through the contents of the boxes, his trip down memory lane leads to the realization that there is more than a bit of unfinished business he needs to take care of, in the present day. Letters from relatives and assorted items remind him of the people and events from his past, and he decides to take action. He starts by visiting his Aunt Fern, who he has not seen in fifteen years, which is a heart-warming experience. After meeting with Fern, Lee Kravitz meets with many of the other people who were important to him from his past, and he describes these encounters in a clear and candid way in this book, which was published in 2010.
I enjoyed reading Unfinished Business: One Man's Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Things. This book is a good reminder that life is short and that the time to act is now. Reach out to others before it's too late, make amends, send notes (or email), reconnect. With all the means we have today, including social media, it's easier than ever to find the people we've lost touch with. (I try to do a lot of what's covered in this book already, on a regular basis, because I don't like to be weighed down by unfinished business.) Lee Kravitz's book is honest, touching, and inspiring.
Good news! The publisher, Bloomsbury USA, is generously offering a copy of Unfinished Business as a giveaway (U.S./Canada only).
- To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment.
- For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower, or that you subscribe in Google Reader.
- For an additional chance, post about this contest on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
- For an extra chance, describe some unfinished business you'd like to take care of.
Enter by 5PM PDT on Monday, June 27. One winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Tuesday, June 28. Good luck!
Special thanks to Lisa from TLC for sending me this book. For more reviews of this book, please visit the other stops on the TLC's Unfinished Business book blog tour.
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Sounds interesting and it might lead me to explore some boxes of papers I've also had stored for several years!
ReplyDeletereading_frenzy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a GFC follower!
ReplyDeletereading_frenzy(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower.
yvone473[at]optonline[dot]net
Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletereflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com
This sounds like such an interesting book. I'll look out for it here. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like fabulous book that really hits home about life. Great review Suko.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the worst thing in the world to live with a lot of regret, so this book would probably touch a deep chord in my heart. It sounds like something that I would really love, and I thought your review was excellent! I would love to be considered for your giveaway, and thank you for hosting it!
ReplyDeletezibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
I do try to keep up with friends we've known in other places we've lived, but have to admit that 4 years ago we moved close to some members of my family that I haven't reached out to. Shame on me! This book sounds like a great reminder to stay connected.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your review of Unfinished Business (I apologize for omitting the underlining - system wouldn't let me). I, too, have been laid off and it's the perfect time to tie up loose ends. I started off by cleaning out a file cabinet,then dove into some piles. It feels good to clean up. The next project is getting to the kids' photo albums, wherein I always get lost in memories and spend too much time reminiscing. It's good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and have posted to my Facebook account.
I read this last year and wasn't as fond of it as you are.
ReplyDeleteI have tons of papers and stuff that need to be gone through, and even though I know I should, I just don't have the ambition right now. Great review!
ReplyDeleteUsing social media to reconnect and take care of unfinished business is definitely something all of us could be doing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being on the tour!
Interesting that I read this right after I passed by adding several old high school friends on Facebook just because I didn't want to go to the work of reconnecting. Great reminder that you can never have too many friends and there is always time enough to do what's right.
ReplyDeleteI need to read this book. It may light a fire under me.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
this sounds very inspiring
ReplyDeleteI like very much your review and the things you wrote ! As I was moving I have to open many boxes full of unfinished business. I had to choose, what to keep and what to throw away... I like to do that : a new life to begin !
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me..I'm a new follower :D
~Harpreet
xoxo
My Email: hargur55@gmail.com
http://booksforteens6212.blogspot.com/
Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance!
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GFC Follower
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Tweet! Tweet!
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http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/82995131053117441
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
My unfinished business is getting my library/study organized. Right now it's an absolute disaster!
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Hi Suko! One form of unfinished business was recently completed after I caved in and finally had my long awaited, much put off arm surgery. During my recovery I hope to get the other MAJOR unfinished business adressed (albeit with one hand): my book!
ReplyDeleteTake care, Mervat x
This does sound like a great book. Its so true, life is too short. I always enjoy looking through old photos and reading old letters, trips down memory lane can be so nice.
ReplyDeleteThe subject of unfinished parts of our lives is very
ReplyDeleteinteresting to me. Since I have had cancer for a year now, it makes me think you can't put your life on hold.
martaw@myastound.net
thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletemais3477(at)gmail(dot)com
I ama also a google follower
I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
I really like the idea of this book.
ReplyDeleteThe word " unfinished" makes me sore
I'm interested now
tranntb08 at gmail dot com
I followed via GFC under tran nguyen
ReplyDeletetranntb08 at gmail dot com