Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Book Review...and More!

Last night I finished yet another book! I know, me! I am on a roll people! Good thing since I bought a total of 9 books last week. Oops.

Here's what I just finished:


I heard such rave reviews from so many people about this book. It is told from the perspective of a dog which definitely give the book a different spin.

From Publishers Weekly:
If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoƫ, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter.

Truthfully, I wasn't a huge fan of this book. There was a LOT of racing lingo and references which went completely over my head and I had no desire to understand. And although the ending of the book was quite good, the rest of it made me mad and uncomfortable. It was kind of like one of those movies you're watching...and when something happens you say, "Okay, that's it. I'm not watching this anymore." But I couldn't just shut it off. I had to finish it. And the ending was fantastic. But, did it make up for the rest of the book? Not really.

Has anyone else read this book?? What did you think? I'm pretty sure I am in the minority with this review so please don't base anything on my review alone :)


Onto other things....

I received this award from Paris Pink at The Pink Polka Dot the other day. What a sweetheart!!



The only rule is to pass it along to 10 Glamorous bloggers. With so many to choose from, this is definitely a difficult task...but here are some of my faves:

Sweet Tea Diaries
Post Smith
Pocket full of pink
Naturally Caffeinated Family
Lucy's Life
Living in the Moment
Live.Love.Laugh.
Jeans Friday
for the love
A Suburban Housewife-In-Training

Hope y'all have a great day!!

17 comments:

Ashley Paige said...

Gah! I had such a hard time reading The Art of Racing in the Rain! I'm so glad I'm not alone! Before we brought home Sheepie, Hubs thought he could soothe my puppy-craving with dog books- first Marley and Me, which I clearly LOVED and then this book.. I'll admit- I never even finished it. I couldn't! I've started this book more times than I could count and could never get into it! And I had heard such good things about it! Oh well.. you can't win 'em all! :)

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

Thanks for thinking of me :-)

Brittany Ann said...

Awww! Thank you friend! You are so sweet!

Lucy Marie said...

Thanks. You are sweet.

A New England Girl said...

Ah, I LOVED that book! I am actually debating reading it again, but I adored it the first time around. It definitely had some dull points, and some parts I thought were irrelevant and just helped to drag the book out, but overall it was touching and sweet and totally made me cry. :)

Becky said...

I had a hard time getting into it, but once I did, I LOVED it too. I kinda skimmed the racing lingo, but loved that it was from a dog's perspective. I thought it was very cute.

MrsMis said...

I skipped your review only because this book is waiting on my shelf to be read! I hope its good :)
p.s. congrats on the award!

5th Belle Avenue said...

YAYYYYY thank you SO much!! To think someone considers my blog glamorous is A-MAZING!! Congratulations on receiving the award as well! I feel incredible special and loved. I am so glad to hear that you didn't exactly love the book. That makes it easier on me to not rush out and buy it. Like you, I have quite a collection going. Time to start READING! Have a fabulous day and thank you again SO MUCH for the award!

Lindsey said...

Great book review and congrats on the award friend!

Unknown said...

Oh you are just too sweet! Thanks so much!

Tasha said...

I read it a few months ago for my book club and I really enjoyed it. I know what you mean about it making you furious at several different times. I liked the "never give up" attitude of the main character even though he went through some awful situations. I liked how the book mentions "the car goes where the eyes go" because it's so true in life. Plus, it made me talk more to my dogs. There is no love like a dog's love. :-)

Miss Sweet Tea said...

Ooh, thank you thank you for the award! You are too sweet! I haven't read a book in SO long, it's ridiculous and slightly embarrassing...

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

awww thank you!!!! you know you are one of my faves too!! and i love the book reviews, keep 'em coming=)

Kassie said...

thanks for the book review! I've seen this book in the store for awhile now, and have been debating buying it. Now I'm not so sure! :)

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

The book sounds like it has an interesting concept but I can see how it could easily go wrong.

jenn said...

thank you for the award, friend! :) i'm about 6 months behind on posting my awards but i promise i'll put it up because i love you! xxoo

jlc said...

hey love! made my blog private, if you'd like an invite just email me at Bumbee214@gmail.com

:)