Monday, February 27, 2012
Ch. 14-25: RITR Discussion
We're half way there! Instead of having a particular discussion topic, I thought we'd have something a little more generic since we're at the half way point. Soooo...what do you think about the book?! Are you liking it? Why, or why not? What do you think about the perspective, characters, plot, etc? Does anyone have a guess, or would like to share, as to what the big climax, or a turning point, will be? I'll add my own opinion in a comment...
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Ch.1- 13 RITR Discussion: Dogs Smelling Cancer
Alright, you made it to the first quarter! That reading load wasn't bad, was it? If so, let me know your thoughts.
On page 37 in Racing in the Rain, Enzo speaks of smelling the disease in Eve's brain before any human or machine could be aware of it.
My mother had briefly told me something about this not too long ago. My late dog, Del, died of cancer this past December, so dogs and cancer were topics of conversation among us quite often. I was hearing topics from cancer emitting a smell...to...dogs detecting cancer with their sense of smell. My obsessive cancer-googling was more within the frame of Del's particular cancer, Mast Cell, at the time, so I sort of forgot about those other topics of interest...until it came up in Racing in the Rain.
Here's an article talking about the research conducted on dogs sniffing out cancer, and there's more out there if you feel inclined to get "google'y". All I have to say is thank goodness I have both a Lab and a German Shepherd. Looks like we're good hands over here... ;-)
Have any of you ever heard of this, or even better, have any personal experience? I'm a believer. Dogs are extraordinary creatures!
On page 37 in Racing in the Rain, Enzo speaks of smelling the disease in Eve's brain before any human or machine could be aware of it.
My mother had briefly told me something about this not too long ago. My late dog, Del, died of cancer this past December, so dogs and cancer were topics of conversation among us quite often. I was hearing topics from cancer emitting a smell...to...dogs detecting cancer with their sense of smell. My obsessive cancer-googling was more within the frame of Del's particular cancer, Mast Cell, at the time, so I sort of forgot about those other topics of interest...until it came up in Racing in the Rain.
Here's an article talking about the research conducted on dogs sniffing out cancer, and there's more out there if you feel inclined to get "google'y". All I have to say is thank goodness I have both a Lab and a German Shepherd. Looks like we're good hands over here... ;-)
Have any of you ever heard of this, or even better, have any personal experience? I'm a believer. Dogs are extraordinary creatures!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
For you shipping savers...
I know many of us like to buy books online, and some stores (ehem, Amazon) give you free shipping if you spend over $25. So, if you're planning to buy The Art of Racing in the Rain online, the next book we'll be reading is These Is My Words by Nancy Turner. Save on shipping, and go on ahead and buy it, as well!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Our first book: The Art of Racing in the Rain
Introducing....
Overview
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
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Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
______________________________________________________
I have been dying to read this book ever since my cousin introduced it to me! I love dogs. In fact, to say I just simply love dogs is almost an understatement; I "get" dogs, and they get me. It's like God's purpose for me, or something. I was so poor (not too much better off now) and couldn't spend the money to buy the book at the time, but I eventually bought it for my brother in law's Christmas present last year. Like me, he's a dog dude and a reader, so I thought it would be an appreciated gift. He actually just texted me a couple of days ago saying he finally got around to reading the book (new baby in the family) and really enjoyed it. The book has also received wonderful reviews, and I believe a movie will be made in the somewhat near future.
On a personal note, I know this novel will be difficult for me as we recently had to put our beloved dog, Del, down a little over a month ago due to Mast Cell cancer. Although we still have our wonderful dog Fred, and recently rescued an awesome German Shepherd, Cinna, I'm still mourning the loss of Del. She was extra-special. I invite us all to celebrate our own individual "pet angels" while reading The Art of Racing in the Rain :-)
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| RIP Baby Del...you are missed, and celebrated, daily |
I'm shooting for this novel's finish date to be March 11, 2012. We may find this schedule to be overly ambitious, but it's our first book, so I'm flying blind, here. Let me know how you feel about the pace as we go, and we may decide to tweek the schedule.
Here's the weekly schedule:
Sunday Feb. 19th: Ch. 1-13
Sunday Feb. 26th: Ch. 14-25
Sunday March 4th: Ch. 26-39
Sunday March 11th: Ch. 40-finish
Here's the weekly schedule:
Sunday Feb. 19th: Ch. 1-13
Sunday Feb. 26th: Ch. 14-25
Sunday March 4th: Ch. 26-39
Sunday March 11th: Ch. 40-finish
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