How Starbucks Saved My Life

Author: Michael Gates Gill
Translator:Ratri Prakoso
Publisher: Penerbit Literati
Publication Date: February 2012
Pages: 385

Michael Gates Gill is a high-level advertising executive with J. Walter Thomson (JWT) and also the son of famous writer Brendan Gill. After 25 years working at JWT, one day morning he was abruptly fired. He was shocked, realizing that part of his life was over.

That was just the beginning of his misfortune. In a few short years, at the age of 63, Gill -the Yale-educated man closed his consultant business he started after he was laid off, got divorced and was diagnosed with a brain cancer. His life turned upside down.

A trip to Starbucks changed his life. One day a manager asked if he would like to apply as a barista. Gill said yes. Now he would be responsible to handle the coffee shop, not only preparing the drinks but also sweeping the floor and scrubbing the toilets. As an old man, Gill said that he still has trouble with some of the drinks. So many things to remember, such as the size, the ingredients, the name of the drinks, etc. Therefore he prefers to do the cleaning. He said he can make a toilet shines like a Ferrari.

According to Gill, losing his job turned out to be a gift in disguise. He adds more, "when I lost my job, I didn't realized it was just the beginning. I may have a part-time job but I have a full-time life."

This memoir became a New York Times bestseller and the actor Tom Hanks has plans to produce and star in the film version. This book has given me a new perspective in life. What are we looking for in life? Is it money? Can money buy happiness? This memoir leave me with certain things to ponder. Highly recommended.

2 comments:

mei March 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM  

jadi inget waktu membaca buku ini thn lalu.. ya mmg jauh lbh penting memiliki a full time life ya :)

riana March 16, 2012 at 3:37 PM  

@mei: aku suka sekali buku ini, menyentuh:)