Old Father Time, the inventor of clocking the moments, plays a role in educating two souls who would manipulate the time they have left in Mitch Albom’s The Timekeeper. Albom offers this schmaltzy parable with three characters: Dor, the first man to measure time; Victor, an old man trying to cheat death; and Sarah, a teenager who wants to end her life.

On New Year’s Eve, the passage of time is marked with celebrations and sometimes thoughtful resolutions. With his usual moral directive, Album’s story is a reminder to appreciate what you have, and to live in and appreciate the moment.

Happy New Year!