The art of racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Enzo is a dog of mixed heritage although he is certain his father was a terrier because terriers are intelligent and Enzo is smart enough to know he is different from other dogs.

Enzo is the pet of Denny Swift, an up and coming race car driver. He knows how to “race in the rain” and its good practice because it’s a metaphor for how he deals with difficult times in his life.

The entire story is told from the perspective of Enzo. This is a heartwarming tale of loyalty and friendship. If you are a dog-lover, you will love this book.

Lady Bookbug!

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille

A tax lawyer with former connections to the “Mob”, an ex-wife who murdered a government informant and was NOT prosecuted, an insatiable sex drive, a sardonic wit, and a dysfunctional set of in-laws and you have the “stuff” that The Gate House is made of.

Perhaps it is that I am not appreciative of characters who re-visit the past many times in a novel, or maybe it’s the “humor” that is interspersed in the story, or possibly it’s the setting. Whatever, I did not like this book as much as some of Mr. DeMille’s other entries. One of my personal favorites was Plum Island. I also liked Wild Fire. This title just did not cut it with this reader.

I will say that if you simply must read all of this author’s works, then by all means add this one to the list.

Ladybookbug!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

I’d like to start by saying that just because Ophra thinks a book is great, I don’t always agree and so I began reading this author’s very first novel which, by the way, took him a decade to complete. Personally, I think it was worth all the hard work.

This is the story of a young boy and his “connection” with his brood of dogs which are bred, trained, and raised with the expectation of being sold at a high price. It is also the story of a family, maligned by some mysterious underpinnings, sibling rivalry and the untimely death of a father.

It is this reader’s thought that this book has staying power and could someday have the same ranking as “Sounder” or “The Yearling”. It is a long book (over 500 pages) but stay with it. You won’t regret reading it.

Ladybookbug!

Testimony by Anita Shreve

The setting is a private co-ed school in New England. Four boys and one girl get together for some nefarious entertainment in a dorm room. A video tape is made. Extensive ramifications ensue. Such is the story of this latest entry by Anita Shreve.

Testimony is a novel which should cause all readers to at least think about why it is that many young people have difficulty considering the effect of their actions, either immediate or down the line. Hence, this story is one that will be good fodder for book discussion groups.

Read it and think about it.

Ladybookbug!

Call Me Ted! by Ted Turner

Check out this new autobiography by the infamous Ted Turner. It gives the reader a glimpse into Ted's business acumen and his personal life. It is a very entertaining and interesting read.

I must admit Ted Turner was a bit of an enigma to me. However, that all changed when he appeared recently on "60 Minutes". I found the interview enlightening and the man himself, fascinating.

In his book, he lists 11 "personal intiatives" he tries to live by and they are good, solid ideals. Among them is his insatiable need to protect land from development. Having acquired the most land owned by a single individual in the United States, this is a tall order. Nonetheless, he has legally protected his acquisitions into perpetuity.

As I was reading this book, someone asked me what kind of a man he is. I said "remarkable". A few chapters later Jane Fonda was quoted as saying the same thing.

To garner an insight into what constitutes a man who has acquired great wealth, made some mistakes along the way, and who has great appreciation for family, I invite you to read this book.

Ladybookbug!

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh

The story opens with an upper-middle class family enjoying the delights of summer in the family “cottage” on cape cod. Here we are introduced to the Drews and immediately begin to witness the twists and turns of sibling relationships.

The reader is then brought forward about 20 years for another introduction to Frank,
Paulette, Billy, Gwen and Scott and what is happening in their lives. The “condition” is a
genetic ailment that befalls Gwen.

As the story unwinds, we are privy to the inter-generational relationships among family members and others. We learn of the challenges and the secrets that hold the family together and keep them apart.

An interesting foray into what is probably a typical family in some circles.

Ladybookbug!

The Shack by William Young

This is the story of a young man who faces his fears and shame and returns strengthened and positive about his purpose on earth.

Controversial in nature, the book seeks to inform its readers about God’s loving grace, reconciliation and forgiveness.

It offers many opportunities for discussion and is refreshing look at an old topic.

Ladybookbug!