When Chuck Adams flips through the pages of Mitch Albom's books, he sees something more.

Albom's tales of life, death and love are what helped him find solace after his 22-year-old daughter's sudden death 11 years ago.

On Thursday night, Adams was first in line to have the Detroit Free Press columnist autograph his newest book.

Albom, the best-selling author of "Tuesdays With Morrie," signed copies of his latest read at Barnes and Noble, 333 E. Grand River Ave.

Albom's stories of life lessons helped Adams cope with each day after his daughter, Carrie, died of an eating disorder. The star volleyball player had enrolled at MSU in 1991.

"The sun doesn't shine as bright as it used to, but you try and make the best of it," said Adams, a 58-year-old Battle Creek resident. "People don't know how to celebrate a person's life or death."

Albom's sentimental stories about the human spirit are why people are drawn to his books, said East Lansing Public Library director Sylvia Marabate.

"He just manages — no matter what topic he's dealing with — to really strike a chord with readers," she said. "He is interested in life's lessons."

Nicole Lupiloff, who spent her Thursday evening waiting in line for Albom's signature, agrees with Marabate.

She called Albom "a soft writer."

"It hits home for me," the English senior said. "His writing is comforting, especially during the holidays."

Other Albom fans, such as Danny Zuteck, flocked to the bookstore because they grew up reading Albom's Detroit Free Press sports column.

During the summer at his Sterling Heights home, Zuteck read it nearly every day, even though he was more interested in the politics than the Detroit Tigers.

"I'm not even a huge sports fan," the finance sophomore said.

But Zuteck said he was drawn to the column because of Albom's writing, even though he wasn't a huge sports aficionado.

In line near Zuteck was Katie Meagher, who had found the perfect Christmas present for her father.

She had a lot to live up to — for his birthday in August, Meagher had given him a basketball autographed by Tom Izzo.

Meagher said she accidentally blurted out that she was purchasing the book for him, but her father still has no idea it will be autographed by Albom.

"I burst the bubble," Meagher said.