Book lovers discussion

Thanks, Jo.
Who else has read it?
What did you think of it?
Why?

- I don't normally care much for books my mother & her book club read.
- I've never watched much of a car race - boring.
- I don't care for spiritual books - "One man's religion is another man's belly laugh." as Heinlein so aptly put it.
- I quit reading cutesy books anthropomorphizing animals when I was a teenager. I read a lot then, but lost my taste.
- I don't particularly like true life horror stories. I've seen enough of it in my life & I read for escapism, usually.

So, with all that against it, how come I liked this book so much?!!! It's that last question - why? - that gets me. I have no idea.

It was a quick read, a good thing because after 50 pages, I wasn't sure I was going to continue it. It was OK, but kind of cute & that kind of thing wears on me. It was the only book I had to read at lunch though, so I read another 50 pages. Then I wanted to read some more when I got home.

I didn't want to put it down when my wife got home & by the end of lunch on the second day, I was over 200 pages in & HATED to go back in to work, but I knew I couldn't finish it then. I did that evening. ("Don't talk to me, dear, I'm reading. Shoo!")

I finished it with a lump in my throat & a smile on my lips. Wow!

LOL! This is a great description Jim!

I loved everything about the book, the cutesy, the spiritual, the sadness, even the car racing and I'm not a fan either. I own dogs and I am convinced that they have some kind of insight that humans don't so that whole idea struck a chord with me. It was a quick, easy, entertaining read. I didn't put it down until I was done either.

I thought the way the Mongolian burial ritual was laced through was perfect. When I saw there was one more chapter at the end, I knew what was coming, but still thought it was well done. Did you?

I loved the whole thing too. I thought maybe I wouldn't care for the car racing part, but it worked and I enjoyed it. I just loved Enzo and Denny and Zoe....it was a good feeling to be able to dislike...well hate the grandparents too. I can't think of the Italian guys name who helped Denny, but loved his character too. I DO NOT LIKE SAD ANIMAL BOOKS....that was my big concern before reading this. However, we can see right from the back cover, that Enzo is "telling" this on the eve of his death and he's had a wonderful life...so I thought I could handle it. I'm so glad I did. I read most of it on the plane from Hawaii, but left the ending to read on my own couch so I could cry with abandon!

I was getting nervous reading Jim's post, as everyone that ever read it loved it, and it is in my top 3 favorites of all time; quite possibly my #1. So, Jim, I'm glad you stayed with Enzo and that it did not disappoint.

Shelli, I'm glad you decided to finish it at home, not on the plane. I can't imagine being anywhere in public finishing this book.

I actually caught Garth Stein on an internet radio show last year. I called in, talked to him (or gushed is probably a better word) and he sent me an autographed personalized copy of TAORITR :)

Diane, I was surprised how much I liked it, obviously. That's so cool that you got an autographed copy. I just got a second copy to give away. I meant to give it to my daughter this weekend & forgot. It's sitting out for my wife to read next.

Jim wrote: "I thought the way the Mongolian burial ritual was laced through was perfect. When I saw there was one more chapter at the end, I knew what was coming, but still thought it was well done. Did you?"

I did, kinda felt like the whole story was leading us there. I liked that while it was clear there was an ending, it still held hope, and I was SO thankful it wasn't heart-wrenching. Would've spoiled the tone of the book for me.

I asked a guy at work if he'd read this book, since he has a dog & I thought this would tickle him. He listened to the audio book & loved it.

He mentioned that I might also like Dog on It by Spencer Quinn, a mystery. It sounds interesting - a quick, easy read. From the reviews here, I'd say that Quinn's book won't blow my socks off, but would be a good relaxing read.

Hey, Jim, I'd heard of the Dog on It series too and thought about picking up the first one. I think it might be a great pool-side or beach read.

Glad your friend enjoyed Enzo's audio!

Apparently I can download the audio book of "Dog On It" for free from the local library, so I'm going to do that. I have to stop by the library tonight to get a card first. I have one for two other counties, just not the one here where I work. You need their library card to login.

Here in California you either have a city library card or a county library card so all we need is two total. I'll be looking forward to what you think of Dog On It.

I'll have to check out this other book too!

This wasn't the sort of book I would normally read but I'd heard such great things about it that I had to. Oh God did I cry! The part when Enzo is dying and he can feel his owners hands in his fur etc - it just brought it all back to me of that awful day I had to take my lovely Ben to the vets for the final time. I had my face buried in his neck whispering to him as he was going - it was awful. I'm almost crying now. I loved the part when Enzo was strapped into the racing car for a race round the track. Just beautiful.

A lovely, lovely book - but thats it no more like this for me - and there seem to be hundreds out there.

Maggie - My eyes fill up reading your post :)
I've not heard anyone NOT love this book. Even though it tears your heart out, I'm glad I read it. The ending was amazing. And how he wrote in Enzo's voice...just wonderful.

Maggie wrote: "This wasn't the sort of book I would normally read but I'd heard such great things about it that I had to. Oh God did I cry! The part when Enzo is dying and he can feel his owners hands in his fu..."

Brought tears to my eyes Maggie...I've been there too...it's awful.

I cried over Marley and Me, but this one just took it to another level!
I loved how it was in Enzo's voice.... we know our pets are really people to us.

Ms. Petra, I like that "takes you to another level". Glad you related to it so much!