The Pug List by Alison Hodgson

     When I saw the cover of this book, I thought to myself, "You've never liked pugs... why do you want this book?"  I think what drew me in was not the cover, but that small paragraph beneath the title:  
A Ridiculous Little Dog, a Family Who Lost Everything, and How They All Found Their Way Home.
​Who couldn't love something like that?

     Seeing as my family also suffered through a house fire, back in 2011, I know the feelings of loss from such a tragedy.  In The Pug List , by Alison Hodgson, their home is set ablaze!  They lose it all, and coping seems a long time coming.  But because of some persistence, they find a way to get through and come out happy on the other end.  They look for a pug.      I am not a non-fictional reader all that much.  Real life is cool, but I read to escape the real life, and this book hit close to home.  I found the story funny, heart-warming and encouraging, but it didn't really get to the meat of the story, for me, until near the ending.  The focus was sorta lost.  I even appreciated her hold to faith, but it almost seemed fictional and trite.  I didn't find the appreciation I thought I'd feel and it didn't feel serious enough after being attacked in such a way.

     The Pug List is sweet and I like it, but not high on my list.  Give me the pretend world any day!