Book: "2Do Before I Die" by Michael Ogden and Chris Day

"2do Before I Die" is an easy-read member of the 'before I die' genre, of which there are several. The book is essentially a time-to-get-started guide to thinking about what you want to do with the time you've got left. It is less 'how to' than 'why not'? "2do Before..." has a sense of humor and is not "too vacation-focused or self-indulgent."

The majority of the book is made up of a series of short, individual essays written by people from a variety of walks of life covering things that they are already accomplishing to change/improve their lives. This book is a good first step for a would-be life plan creator because it shows that creating a life plan doesn't involve boring goal setting to mind-numbing exercises. Readers also get first person viewpoints of people who decided to do something bold and then went out and did them illustrating the point that the to-do list is a means and not the end result.

What the book does (being a light read to inspire one to make a list and start doing things), it does very well. However it is not a deep, introspective guide the topic. No book could be both so this is not a criticism as much as an observation. " 2Do Before..." is a rare self-help book that would make a good gift and it won't offend any recipient.

A big goal of life should be having no regrets in the proverbial final days. To that end if this book can inspire one to start the process today, more power to it.