Mitch Albom
Oy, the schmaltz!
This would definitely be waaaaaaay too much on a larger scale; but at 200 pages or so, it makes a good diversion on one of those long afternoons when it’s raining and you have access to a kettle and a box of Kleenex.
In a nutshell – Morrie is an old man who is dying, Mitch is a former student. They rekindle their friendship and meet weekly for a seminar on death and life. The end result is that Morrie dies, and Mitch learns how to live. Schmaltz, yes, but compelling nonetheless.
Anyone who can read it without trying the breathing and counting thing is just not paying attention.
Recommended if you’re looking for a good excuse to cry.