Hello everyone, today I am reviewing Unfinished Business by Lee Kravitz for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book: After losing his job, Lee Kravitz – a man who had always worked too hard, too long and too intensely – took stock of his life and realized just how disconnected he had become from the people who mattered most to him: his wife, his children, the circle of friends whose rank had thinned out over the years. Instead of rushing out to find a new job, he committed an entire year to attending to the most important things in his life, to reconnect to those dear to him and to making amends.
In Unfinished Business, Kravitz takes us along on ten transformational journeys, among them repaying a thirty year old debt, making a long overdue condolence call, finding an abandoned relative, and fulfilling a forgotten promise. Along the way, we meet a cast of wonderful characters and travel the globe – to a refugee camp in Kenya, a monastery in California, the desert of southern Iran, a little league game in upstate New York, and a bar in Kravitz’s native Cleveland. In each instance, his act of reaching out opens new paths for both personal and spiritual growth.
About the author: Lee Kravitz was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Yale College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
A pioneer in creating multi-platform media for young people, Lee was founding editor of React, an interactive news magazine for teenagers, and an educational director of Scholastic, Inc., the educational publishing company.
Lee was most recently the editor-in-chief of Parade, the Sunday newspaper magazine, with more than 70 million readers. Under his leadership, Lee’s magazines have received more than 200 awards for journalistic excellence and been widely acclaimed for inspiring Americans of all ages to improve their lives, communities, nation and the world.
Lee has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Public Education Network, The League, National History Day and Youth Service America. His is board president of Youth Communication, a publisher of writing by and for inner-city teens and youth in foster care.
Lee and his wife Elizabeth Kaplan, a literary agent, live in New York City and Clinton Corners, New York with their three children.
My review: I really loved this book. The premise – that we all have unfinished business to attend to – struck a deep chord within me. Kravitz writes with unsparing honesty about those unresolved promises, thank yous and debts. He admits to being such a workaholic that he couldn’t absorb or come to terms with the loss of his job. He was defined by his work. As so often happens when one is forced to get off the treadmill, he suddenly has time to think. This enforced period of rest leads to a new resolve to take care of the unfinished business that has been troubling him for years.
As we go along for the ride on each journey, we learn that sometimes saying ‘thank you’ can lead to unexpected personal growth. Sometimes the act of forgiveness opens up a door to the heart. Repaying a debt, long forgotten by the lender, can lead to the renewal of a friendship. Kravitz writes beautifully and manages to make each story completely compelling.
I don’t mind telling you that I have unfinished business – the kind that will be off my radar for months or years at a time and then will suddenly reappear with a little nudge that says “You should finally deal with this.” And I should. I thank Mr. Kravitz for reminding me that finishing that business is important – for me and for everyone involved. I applaud this brave and honest look at the ways in which one’s life can be changed by making amends.
I recommend this book highly. I think that you, as I was, will be totally enthralled by it. And lucky you!! – one of you who leaves a comment on this post will win a copy of Unfinished Business. If you are interested, please leave a comment on this post only. I will draw a name on Wednesday evening.
Hey Claudia — this does sound like a good book! As I’m the first commenter, I probably won’t win, but I shall certainly keep my eye out for it.
Right now, though, am off to deal with ants in the kitchen. Summer has truly arrived.
How great! An enjoyable read and you brought something away for you too! I will look for this one!
Hugs, Lisa
I know I say this every time. But Claudia, you do the very best reviews! I think I’m up to some reading. Maybe I’ll email Trish. This sounds like a winner to me. I have lots of unfinished business. I guess that’s why Frost’s…And I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep…is my fav poem of all time.
Brenda
Thank you for introducing a book that needs to be read. Also thank you for all your comments the last few days. They are appreciated.
– Joy
looks like a great read…i enjoyed reading your review…
happy to visit with you today
sending love,
kary and teddy
Sounds like a good book. I am still adjusting to retirment there seems to be loads of time to think, and unfinished work to catch up on.
Hi Claudia,
I really enjoyed you review and will now be anxious to read the book. What better way to spend a summer afternoon than with a good book? And you’re right…we all have unfinished business.
Thanks for sharing,
Cheryl
Me too…I have unfinished business and I have ants in the kitchen. No Summer here…tons of rain! Excellent book review dear.
Hi Claudia,
I enjoyed reading your book review and would love to win the book. I think sometimes we lose track of what is really important in our lives. We all get caught up in our work and daily routines. Great reminder to take stock of our lives and what is really important. Someone once said that when we are at the end of our lives, no one says, “I wish I would have worked more.” Thank you for sharing the book review with us! xoxo Kim
Claudia, I Love your book reviews! Keeping my fingers crossed! Twyla
I enjoyed your review, Claudia, and now I’m very curious about this book. It sounds like a great read and a good source of discussion for my book club or even my young adult children. Would love to win a copy!
Sounds like a good book. I just read Heaven is For Real. I’m still up in the air about what I think about it.
I need a book to read, this one sounds like something I should read and heed!!!! I just love it when you review books….it is so helpful.
Although I might have to finish a few things after I read it…..he he!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Your review sounds like a book that I would really enjoy reading. Maybe when my summer class is finished I might have some time.
~Sandy
I love the idea behind this book! I imagine that the things the author learned along the way will be fascinating and moving to read about. Can’t wait to pick this one up for myself!
Thanks for being on the tour. I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today. :)
Sounds like an interesting read. I think we can all relate to unfinished business of some kind! Thanks for the recommendation, I’ve been trying to find something to read lately.
-Lynn
Wow. This books
sounds extremely
compelling. As a
BIG fan of the
memoir-type genre,
this is most definitely
the kind of book
that I seek out.
Thanks for your
wonderful review,
Claudia!!
xx Suzanne
Sounds like a very interesting and thoughtful book. Thank you for these reviews!
Personally, this sounds like a road I’d like to take for a year myself, AND I definitely plan on reading the book. Thanks for sharing…
Dianne
http://www.mysouthernheart.com (my blog)