Giveaway - The Art of Racing in the Rain CDs
I just finished listening to The Art of Racing in the Rain. I enjoy books about dogs, so when my younger daughter brought this book home from the library, I immediately ordered it on CD. How was I going to resist a book with a photo of a Cabana-esque dog on the cover?!
The book is told from the perspective of a dog named Enzo, who lives with a race car driver. Although the book got very good reviews on Amazon, I personally found it disappointing. I didn't think it was a compelling story, it was fraught with inconsistencies, and I just couldn't wrap my mind around a dog who watches AND understands television and who cares so deeply about car racing.
After my incredibly scathing review, IF you are still interested in listening to this book, I'd like to offer you my copy! My daughter felt that the book had its moments, and when I complained about it after listening to the first CD, she encouraged me to keep going, saying that the book gets better. And it did--slightly.
If by some miracle, more than one person leaves me a comment, I will randomly select the winner. BUT I need some recommendations for other GOOD books to read, so please comment with a title or two that you think I'd like. They don't have to be dog-related, and either fiction or non-fiction would be appreciated.
Deadline for giveaway: Wednesday, May 26, 2010. Thank you!
I'm currently reading the Clan of the Cavebear series that is pretty good. Fast reads, but keep your attention. I got through the 1st very quickly, got through about half of the second then my attention span went to zero (that is just me nothing to do with the book at all) so I haven't finished the 2nd. But a friend recommended them to me and actually let me borrow her copies and I'd recommend them to any one else.
I'm not too interested in the book. I heard that it was just ok from a few friends. But if you've ever seen Marley and Me you know that it's based on a book. I hear the book is great! Now that I have time to read it I'm going to.
Oh yes I've also hear that Merle's Door is excellent. My grandmother loved it and she let me borrow it but I haven't read it yet.
Katrin, I had to laugh at your comment about the Clan series! It was just about as compelling as my book review! I have read Merle's Door, and it is a great book. Both Merle's Door and Art of Racing are narrated by the same person, in fact.
Raiser Erin, thanks for your recommendation. I have read Marley & Me--I thought it was okay, definitely much better than the movie. A long time back, I even did a Marley/Cabana comparison post - here's a link to it:
http://oursforayear.blogspot.com/2009/04/cabana-me.html
I will pass on the book giveaway, but I have a book recommendation. I am currently reading Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson. It is about the partnership with her search and rescue dog. I haven't finished the book yet, but highly recommend it.
Well, I was going to suggest Scent of the Missing, but Lauren beat me to it! It's really an excellent book.
As for other ones...I also like Marley and Me and Merle's Door, but other people have already suggested those too.
I'm afraid the only other thing I can think of is a book I haven't read but heard good things on--The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Someone did say it was very intense though.
I've been meaning to read the Art of Racing in the Rain, but I've haven't gotten to it....another one of those that I need to read!
Hmm it's sad that it was disappointing for you but I'm still curious! I think I might like the title more than the book though..
Anywho, a book you might like is The curious case of the dog in the night time by mark haddon. It's not really about dogs but I immediately thought of it just now. It's a fairly interesting story although not that great. Okay I should recommend something amazing but I can't think of anything :( sorry! hehe
Did read it, but heard that the forthcoming movie was supposed to be pretty good. I finished the book - which must mean something! I adored Merle's Door - wish more people would read that - quite the tale! Guess I'll have to try Scent of the Missing!
Huggers xoxoxo
Sammie and Mom
Hmmm... Personally, I liked the book. I thought it was totally far-fetched and was a bit turned off by some of the anthropomorphism, but overall I enjoyed it. I like John Katz books - Izzy and Lenore was the most recent that I read. House Rules by Jodi Picoult was another one I enjoyed. James Patterson's 9th Judgment is next on my list. I like series where I read about the same people over and over - I don't like not knowing what happens with characters once the books stops. Ha!
On the flip side - what are your suggestions??
I already have a copy of Art of Racing in the Rain...but here are some more book suggestions.
I have to second Scent of the Missing: GREAT book! Just finished it a couple of weeks ago.
A Good Dog and Dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz are on my list.
The Other End of the Leash was what I finished today (by Patricia McConnell), starting For the Love of a Dog tomorrow.
Bones Would Rain From the Sky by Suzanne Clothier is also great!
If you want some fiction books....The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is FABULOUS!!! One of my all-time favorites. Long books, but so fasinating!
Also, Watchers by Dean Koontz may be one of my top favs.
Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, by Vicki Myron is also a great read.
There are many more I could name...but these are the ones that come to mind. Have fun!
I've just about given up on reading books about dogs, because, as we learned from Marley, the ending always sucks. I've been threatening to write one called 'A Book about a Dog where the Dog doesn't die at the end!'
I do keep hearing about this book as one I need to read - interesting to read your review. My latest book (cd) is The Five Things we Cannot Change and Embracing them. (I just keep going back to books on my profession no matter how hard I try)
Where the Red Fern Grows is a classic that will be sure to make you cry, but will also reinforce all you already know about the love and loyalty that dogs offer.
Hahaha I like what a previous commenter said. After watching Marley and Me, I haven't read any dog books.
I just finished the 'Uglies' series, by Scott Westerfeld. They are for young adults, but I love books written for young adults. These books are set about three hundred years in the future, so Westerfeld's creations are totally mind boggling and fun. The first book is about a fifteen year old who can't wait to turn pretty. In the future, everyone turns pretty at sixteen. It's all about containing people to save the earth. The next book is 'Pretties' and after that is 'Special'. He wrote a follow up set three years after 'Specials' called 'Extras' that I just finished and I'm totally sad that I don't have any more.
I highly recommend these books. Though they're written for teens, the message is clear. We're destroying the earth. The books refer to us as "rusties".
Oh yeah, I didn't write a comment to win that book. ;)
I am curerntly reading the Insider, so far so good. Love the Last Boy, if you are looking for a great page turner.
I do not want to win this contest because I already have the book and did not finish it. I'm always up for recommending books though.
I don't know what you are in the mood for, but for a dog book I second Edward Sawtelle. The research that went into dog training was extensive and the author lists Patricia McConnell as one of his resources.
For animal nonfiction, I recommend Mark Doty's book Dog Years (have Kleenex ready). I went through a primate phase a few years ago and The Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientists Unconventional Life Among the Baboons by Robert M. Sapolsky was hilarious and very enjoyable.
I just finished reading the novel Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill about a woman kidnapped and sold into slavery and her life in South Carolina, Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone and finally in England. I really liked it.
I also just read The Book of Fires by Jane Borodin, which I also really liked - it was quite unusual. Both books I just read take place in the 18th century.
One more -
Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What it Teaches about All Animals - Karen Pryor
I loved the part where she clicker trained her child's hermit crab to ring a bell when it wanted food.