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Conversations with Nell: The Discerning World of a Wise and Witty Labrador
Escape to the wonderful world of Labrador Nell through her conversations with owner Sara. In between special times with the family, Nell faces kidnappings, haunted hotels, shy flamingos and singing corgis as well as meeting handsome German Shepherd Charlie, the love of her life. Nell lives in a cottage near the sea in beautiful Devon, England with Sara and Kev and four other dogs. Elderly Patterdale Mutley, a retired entrepreneur owning chains such as Pizza Mutt and Walbarks. Feisty little Maltese cross Poppy, a talented chef who carries a sword and is famous for her scones. Dave, a gentle giant black Lab who loves surfing, singing and sausages and his twin sister Harriet, a delicate little chocolate lab who is always there to pick up the pieces. But what about The Cat? Is Charlie really a spy? How come Nell is always right? Why is Pomeranian Gladys sleeping in Nell's handbag? Come in and find out. You won't want to leave.
- GenresNonfictionAnimals
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 28, 2020
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 24, 2020
I have been reading the Conversations with Nell since Sara Martin's first posting and have never missed my morning read. What is amazing is how Sara is able to produce fresh dialogue every day. It is a dialogue that is believable, funny, at times serious and definitely captivating. Having a whole book full of conversations is so very special for I can now dip into it whenever I choose and read about the adventures of Nell and her wonderful two and four-legged family and friends. I can guarantee that I will always finish each reading with a smile on my face and looking forward to the next chapter.
June 20, 2020
A lovely and funny book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I've enjoyed reading her conversations on Facebook for some time now, so I was very excited to read this book and all about everyone's adventures. I love Poppy and her sword, ready to leap into action, or into the kitchen to make something delicious. And of course, Nell.
This is a book for all ages and for anyone who loves or has been loved by animals.
This is a book for all ages and for anyone who loves or has been loved by animals.
June 17, 2020
What a beautiful book! Sara Martin writes with a warmth and humor beyond compare. This book will light up the heart of every dog owner and especially Labrador lovers. It would certainly make the best gift for a dog lover who has everything. I love that the book is written in mini episodes, so you can pick it up when you have a few minutes and read a bit, then return to the story when you are able. I have fallen in love with Nell, doggy heroine extraordinaire. You will laugh out loud at the conversations she has with Sara, and at how she calmly and decisively steers the entire crew through their days. They discuss humorous situations as well as the ups and downs of everyday life, and even real world issues- in a manner which leaves you feeling healed and uplifted. I have also fallen in love with Dave, Harriet, Poppy, and Mutley- Nell's co-stars. But there is an entire menagerie of animals, both great and small, who add texture and interest to these stories, thanks to the enormous and prodigious imagination of Sara Martin. Bonus content includes gorgeous photos of beautiful Devon, their home, and recipes and tidbits of the local culture. This added content, so lovingly intertwined into the stories, bring to life a wonderful place far away from here that I can only dream of, and for this I am grateful. Sara has become a literary hero of mine, and this book is destined to become a classic. Treat yourself to this book, and you will fall in love with Nell and friends and Devon just as I have!
March 13, 2020
Conversations with Nell by Sara Martin wasn't quite what I expected. I thought this would be conversations that your regular dog lovers hold with their dogs. I am guilty of that myself. But these conversations were a tad bit over the top for me as they were not realistic at all with smoking dogs, secret service agents, and a cooking flamingo among other things. I did still give it 3 stars though because I do feel that this can be turned into a fun reading experience with small children.
June 1, 2020
Loved it.So fanciful in this crazy world. Safe has carved outa little piece of playful with beautiful pictures.Was sad to not have a picture of knitwear wolf butI think he must have busy.Bought-an extra for a gift
August 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and love the way in which Sara Martin describes Nell and their bond to each other. I would enjoy seeing more pictures in Sara and Nell’s next set of adventures.
May 25, 2020
This book is written for anyone who has a Labrador Retriever or any other good dog in their life. It chronicles the adventures of the Martin pack through conversations between Sara (Nell’s human) and Nell (the smart and witty Black Labrador). It is a humorous and lite hearted book to read and has a few recipes peppered in! As a Labrador mom, it made me laugh and wonder what my dogs are thinking!
May 27, 2020
What an excellent book! I love their Facebook page (the first thing I look at when I get on in the morning), so having this is like having a friend I can visit whenever the whim hits me. A wonderful look at a very close-knit family, and their everyday adventures! If you love animals and talk to them regularly, you need to read this book!
August 15, 2022
This book is beautiful and a joy to read. It keeps delivering unexpected delights from the way it feels to the lovely illustrations to the delightful stories. It would make an excellent gift for any animal lover.
July 28, 2020
This book is a delight both to read and to handle. It's ‘a year in the life’ doggy book plotted out in seasons, featuring gorgeous full colour photographs and amusing, neatly set-out conversations between Nell, the ‘wise and witty’ black Labrador of the title, and ‘me’, Nell’s owner, Sara.
Including Nell, there are six dogs in total in the story, a ‘theatrical’ cat, and Sara’s husband, Kev. Something for everyone, in other words!
Nell is your typical curious canine, always wanting to know how or why something is the way it is, and being of superior intellect too, making a few entertaining allusions along the way to the likes of Beethoven and James Bond. There are also rich stories to be told – the Dobermens who work for MI5, for example or the troubling saga related in ‘Who Are My Slipper?’ – plus several recipes, including one for Poppy’s Scones, all described in loving detail. By the way, don’t mess with Nell on whether jam or cream comes first with those cream teas … you might lose the battle, not to mention a finger!
This is a book for dog-lovers, for Devon lovers – for that is where it is set, in a cottage in the peaceful coastal area of the South Hams – and for lovers of all things whimsical, cute and pet-centred. Chapter headings like “I’m Having Second Thoughts About The Cat” and “We Love The Beach Whatever The Weather” lead you into a lifestyle that is at once filled with daring adventures, exploration and new finds, and yet as warm and comfortable as an old boot. I defy anyone not to fall in love with Nell and her family of curious canines.
A beautifully presented and quirky coffee table book that will have your friends lingering over coffee to read it … Highly recommended for dog lovers everywhere.
Including Nell, there are six dogs in total in the story, a ‘theatrical’ cat, and Sara’s husband, Kev. Something for everyone, in other words!
Nell is your typical curious canine, always wanting to know how or why something is the way it is, and being of superior intellect too, making a few entertaining allusions along the way to the likes of Beethoven and James Bond. There are also rich stories to be told – the Dobermens who work for MI5, for example or the troubling saga related in ‘Who Are My Slipper?’ – plus several recipes, including one for Poppy’s Scones, all described in loving detail. By the way, don’t mess with Nell on whether jam or cream comes first with those cream teas … you might lose the battle, not to mention a finger!
This is a book for dog-lovers, for Devon lovers – for that is where it is set, in a cottage in the peaceful coastal area of the South Hams – and for lovers of all things whimsical, cute and pet-centred. Chapter headings like “I’m Having Second Thoughts About The Cat” and “We Love The Beach Whatever The Weather” lead you into a lifestyle that is at once filled with daring adventures, exploration and new finds, and yet as warm and comfortable as an old boot. I defy anyone not to fall in love with Nell and her family of curious canines.
A beautifully presented and quirky coffee table book that will have your friends lingering over coffee to read it … Highly recommended for dog lovers everywhere.
July 6, 2020
This book is brilliant the conversations with Sara's darling Nell and co her family and extended family draw us all into their world and imagination from joy to tears of sadness and laughter and the worry when Harriet was kidnapped to the everyday antics and stories brilliant love it can't wait for the next one
January 30, 2022
I loved everything about this book. It's very funny and also touching. Anyone who has known the love of an old dog has probably had conversations with them and will understand. If you love dogs, please give yourself a gift and read this one.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
August 22, 2022
A delightful piece of fluff about the goings-on of Nell and the four other dogs and one human who comprise her household.
It’s a little like Andrew Cotter’s pieces on Olive and Mabel, only told through a series of conversations between Nell and the human, Sarah, and told entirely from the point of view of the five dogs.
It’s a little like Andrew Cotter’s pieces on Olive and Mabel, only told through a series of conversations between Nell and the human, Sarah, and told entirely from the point of view of the five dogs.
May 22, 2020
I absolutely love reading Conversations with Nell!
It’s the distraction of joy, happiness, compassion and love that we all need right now.
It’s the distraction of joy, happiness, compassion and love that we all need right now.
May 27, 2020
Very entertaining, was just going to browse through it, wound up reading the whole thing. Thoroughly enjoyed the read
June 8, 2020
As someone who holds regular conversations with any critter I may encounter during my day or night and who enjoys thinking up stories with sometimes detailed backgrounds while people (or critter) watching, it is easy to see why Conversations with Nell is right up my alley. Sara Martin has given us a charming tale of the critters in her life. This is a light and quick read, perfect to bring along on any venture outdoors or in.
Read
July 14, 2020I have followed Sara and Nell almost from the beginning and , along with others, pestered Sara to white a book, I am far from disappointed! I love, love, love this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves dogs ( and other creatures) who have adventures related by one loveable Labrador called Nell!
April 24, 2020
This is a beautifully written book and a lovely read. Definitely one of the best books i’ve read so far.
April 24, 2020
LOVE this book!
September 12, 2020
A wonderful world to escape to! Nell is a very wise, if sometimes disparaging and despairing Labrador who has to keep Sara and the family in line. She doesn’t pull her punches but is kind and always ahead of the situation. Believe me, there are many “ situations “ that her family get involved in! There is a vast array of different animals and birds, as well as all the humans, and Sara brings all their characters to life. You end up laughing out loud at one moment and crying at another when you follow Nell on Facebook. This is the book all her Facebook followers have been waiting for.
This is a book which has family at it’s heart, with all the dramas and triumphs that brings. It’s just that this family includes all sorts of different creatures, who have a very exciting, adventurous life! It is a bit of story time suitable for ages 6 to 99! It has goodies and baddies, and old fashioned family love and wisdom. Just watch out for the funny, sometimes cringe worthy puns - hilariously inventive.
There are beautiful photos to enjoy as well as delicious recipes.
I think this will be a classic. I can’t wait for future episodes of Nell and her family’s adventures.
If you are looking for a good read and a lovely gift to be treasured then buy this book! You will soon find you are part of the family.
This is a book which has family at it’s heart, with all the dramas and triumphs that brings. It’s just that this family includes all sorts of different creatures, who have a very exciting, adventurous life! It is a bit of story time suitable for ages 6 to 99! It has goodies and baddies, and old fashioned family love and wisdom. Just watch out for the funny, sometimes cringe worthy puns - hilariously inventive.
There are beautiful photos to enjoy as well as delicious recipes.
I think this will be a classic. I can’t wait for future episodes of Nell and her family’s adventures.
If you are looking for a good read and a lovely gift to be treasured then buy this book! You will soon find you are part of the family.
March 12, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
This book hits you straight away in the feels and then it gets wacky and fun from there.
It was so quick to fly through and was incredibly quirky and bizarre, but charmingly so. So much so that I kept saying to myself "oh just another page or two". I knew that I wanted to get as much read in each sitting because it was a chore loading it up and reading from my pc.
Coming to that, the formatting for the PC was a struggle to get through. I couldn't enjoy the map or much of the text as the formatting, for one wouldn't load on my kindle and secondly, on my pc, it's like... hazy, like the ink isn't even or clear.
It sure is a quirky little book though. It is such a odd concept. I like the photos, wallpaper-like designs throughout and the little segments (I believe between parts) of cooking or baking sheets were sweet, although I skimmed over those parts.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
This book hits you straight away in the feels and then it gets wacky and fun from there.
It was so quick to fly through and was incredibly quirky and bizarre, but charmingly so. So much so that I kept saying to myself "oh just another page or two". I knew that I wanted to get as much read in each sitting because it was a chore loading it up and reading from my pc.
Coming to that, the formatting for the PC was a struggle to get through. I couldn't enjoy the map or much of the text as the formatting, for one wouldn't load on my kindle and secondly, on my pc, it's like... hazy, like the ink isn't even or clear.
It sure is a quirky little book though. It is such a odd concept. I like the photos, wallpaper-like designs throughout and the little segments (I believe between parts) of cooking or baking sheets were sweet, although I skimmed over those parts.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
March 29, 2020
I must admit I didn't like this book. It is not the author's fault though, I had completely different expectations from the book, that were based on what I've read on the blurb of the book. I didn't mind that the animals were anthropomorphized - every pet guardian will do it with their pets - but they had adventures that were more human appropriate. I couldn't relate with them, because they were so absurd. The dialogues were also a bit repetitive (sorrys were said way too often). Maybe the intended audience is much younger than I am, and more receptive to supposedly funny pet detective adventures (which exclude humans from the narrative). I did read it whole, so it wasn't boring, but I didn't quite enjoy it.
A huge thanks to the Schiffer Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book in advance. I really wish I liked it more.
A huge thanks to the Schiffer Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book in advance. I really wish I liked it more.
January 13, 2020
This is one of...if not the....best books I've read in a while. If you've never had a conversation with your dog, you are in the minority. A very quick read, too quick, I would gladly "listen" to more conversations with Nell. Read this book, it will make you feel good. Then pass it on to someone else and make them feel good! It really deserves much more than 5 stars.
February 19, 2020
This is such a fun and easy read for dog lovers. I adored Nell and all the animals so much, you can just see their personalities through Sara's conversations.
I personally prefer books like this to have a bit more realism to them but there were so many laugh out loud moments that I was able to read this in one day!
This would be a perfect gift for a dog mom or dad!
I personally prefer books like this to have a bit more realism to them but there were so many laugh out loud moments that I was able to read this in one day!
This would be a perfect gift for a dog mom or dad!
August 16, 2022
It's cute and quirky. I can't give it more than 2 stars because I DNF it about 75% through. Maybe 80%. It's sincerely charming stuff, but there's a limit I think to how much of that sort of thing I can read at once. I do love the absurd, and I did thoroughly enjoy listening to this woman talk about that one time her dog was kidnapped and held hostage by a gang of secret agent cats... just absurd! Lol. But the stories are pretty simplistic. Vignettes really. And other than the unique narrator there's nothing special about them. Cute though! Would be funny to read to kids. Just imagine the voice you'd conjure forth to represent a pompous Flamingo with a monocle. If that sounds appealing, this book might be for you!
September 13, 2022
August 2022 Hoopla Bonus Borrows Recommendation.
Well this was a fun little book. At first I thought the audiobook might have been a poor choice but the narrator was absolutely perfect! Sometimes it took a bit to remember the narrator was the dog but it was still such a fun little ride.
Well this was a fun little book. At first I thought the audiobook might have been a poor choice but the narrator was absolutely perfect! Sometimes it took a bit to remember the narrator was the dog but it was still such a fun little ride.
July 22, 2020
Ugh I really wanted to like this book but only got through the beginning. The writing was so robotic and boring and I just didn’t get ANY enjoyment out of what I read.
March 26, 2022
If you have ever loved and been loved by a dog, you must read this book!🐶♥️❤️🐶
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews