THE TEN BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE
Adena Halpern
Plume
ISBN: 978-0-452-28940-6
May 27, 2008
Chick Lit

Alexandra Dorenfield is twenty-nine years old and living in Los Angeles with her dog, Peaches. Life is good, and she is having a good time. She exercises at the gym, goes to the doctor for her yearly checkups, worries about the direction her life is heading and parties on the weekends.

Then Alex dies, a Mini Cooper hits her while she is crossing a Los Angeles boulevard with Peaches. It was innocent enough, Peaches was whimpering because of a bowel obstruction that needed to clear and Alex got up to take her out. Should be simple, right?

Wrong. Alex finds that she (and Peaches) are headed toward that "white light." She soon finds out that the white light is the gate of heaven. Alex finds herself at the check-in line, which is extremely long. After mingling with other people in line, an angel ushers her into Building Blissful where she is joyfully reunited with her grandparents and her Uncle Morris.

Finally, she is taken to her "new home," which turns out to be the dream house she has always coveted in her childhood. It is filled with everything she has ever dreamed, and she soon find out that she is on the "seventh plane" of heaven, which also is the highest plane attainable in heaven.

Debora, her guardian angel, pays her a visit. She informs Alex that the seventh plane is reserved for people who did an exemplary job on earth. She tells Alex that there is some concern about her status. Debora tells her she can't figure out why Alex lived her life the way she did, and because of that, she informs her she will have to take an entrance exam. The exam consists of writing an essay, which describes the ten best days of her life. If it is acceptable, Alex can remain on the seventh plane, if not, she may find herself on the fourth plane (which lacks the amenities of the seventh plane). Alex is nervous; she doesn't think she can pass the test.

This novel is different and because of that distinction, you should read it. It is fun and thought-provoking. This is originality at its finest, which is something you won't find every day.

Reviewed By Charlene McConnell
Rating: 4 1/2