The Art of Racing in the Rain (Garth Stein)

So many people have talked about this book that I had to read it. Even though I always know that when a dog is the main character, the end is going to be sad. This one was true to form. Like Marley and Me, this is worth reading as long as you can prepare yourself for the end!

Enzo is the narrator, telling the story of his owner Denny. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter named Zoe and keeps risking it all to become a professional race car driver. Enzo sticks by his side through the highs and the lowest of the lows. Seeing things from a dog's perspective kept the book entertaining. And the overall message will stick with me: That which we manifest is before us. To me, that means focus on your dreams and you will attain them. A good motto.

Read: November/December 2010

Marley and Me

Tonight I finally watched Marley & Me the movie! I read the book several years ago and was dying to see the movie at Christmas but I got over-ruled. So of course I rented it the day it came out on BluRay!! I loved Marley & Me - both the book and the movie. Of course, the book is always better because you get so much more detail, but the movie was cute and accurate. I felt like the movie conveyed all the emotion and humor of the book. Plus, who doesn't love Owen Wilson, Jennifer Anniston and cute labs?? Seriously.

Just a little word about a pet peeve of mine. I really don't like it when people refuse to read good, well-written, insightful, delightful books just because the end might be sad!! Yes, Marley & Me is a book about a dog so you can guess how it ends and yes, the end IS sad. Yes, after reading it I felt sad about my dog's mortality. BUT the rest of the book is so good it made me appreciate every sweet moment with my dog, even when she is driving me crazy. Plus, I think all good books take you on some sort of emotional journey. Thats part of the fun!

Plot - Although I'm sure you all know, this is about "life and love with the world's worst dog". Really its the story of a young couple and the beginning of their family, filled with lots of very funny moments with Marley.
Read - 2006?
Length - 300 pages

Dewey

My mom and Brian both gave me this book for Christmas because I had been wanting to read it so badly. My grandma was raving about it over Thanksgiving and Dewey's face on the cover is too cute. I flew through the book, which read a little bit more like a memoir of the head librarian than I expected (although I don't know why I was surprised - its not like you can fill 200 pages with silly cat stories and make the best seller list). Cute, touching book overall.

Plot: Kitten is dropped in library drop box and brings together a small town in Iowa.

Read: late January 2009

Next Up: The Virgin's Lover