June 2014 - The art of racing in the rain discussion

[AmyK]

Discuss here :)

[Tasha]

I read this a couple of years ago and must say I was really pleasantly surprised. I read it bc it was sitting on my shelf for so long and friends who had read it loved it. I love dogs but I wasn't sure I would get into this one with a dog as narrator. I thought it would be silly. I was wrong, it was really good. I'm saying all this to those out there who might be thinking as I did before reading it. Give it a try, you might end up being surprised as well and love it. :)

[Lilisa]

I totally agree with Tasha. I read it a few years ago as well and really enjoyed it. It's insightful, thought-provoking, funny and well written - about humans and our foibles - from a dog's viewpoint - and Enzo, the dog is very, very smart - just like my dog! It's not just about a dog and his owner like Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog. But seriously, even if you don't have a dog, it's a great read - this is a book I would re-read for sure.

[Janice, Moderator]

I just checked and it's available at the library. I'll pick it up, but won't get to it until after the toppler.

[Angie]

Just started and I'm hooked! First chapter in and my Sinday looks like I'm reading all day!

[Marnie]

I have this lined up for my first Toppler read. I had thought I had read this book years ago but I was confusing it with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Nice to see it grabs you from the start Angie.

[Pragya]

I read this one last year and did like it. It didn't come across as an exceptional one for me though. The racing part also bored me a bit.

[Debra]

I just read this one real quickly and will wait until others chime in with their thoughts before I say too much. I did find the tone to be kinda sad and bittersweet and the struggles in the family real hard to endure. The racing stuff didn't bore me, but I didn't understand some of it. From a dog's POV it was kind of exciting. I liked the ending very much. Go ENZO!

[Marnie]

My dog lover's heart is loving Enzo!


Ch 4 - Denny falls in love with Eve had me laughing out loud. I never thought much about having dogs in the bedroom, my Bailey, who was a yellow Lab, always slept in our room. Reading Enzo's reaction to...let's say couples being couples- was very funny.

Enzo's dislike of the monkey in Chapter 5- the way he haughtily thinks werewolves are better than monkeys- everyone wants someone below them. :)

Btw- I didn't think these were spoilers- let me know if you disagree. ( I'm never quite sure).

[Marnie]

Chapter 7

(view spoiler)[
Ch 7 Enzo can smell the cancer in Eve's head...reminded me of a story I read about a few years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newst...
(hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ Eve's body isn't even out of the house yet and the "Twins " are asking for custody. I was worried this would happen. What self- centered people. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31- (view spoiler)[ I think that incident with Annika is about to bite him in the ass. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I am enjoying this book.

[Jessica]

So far this book is making me think of Marley and Me. The movie not the book. (i think that there is a book) but from a dogs view point. I'm really liking it, but have a feeling that I might not be able to read it at work since it may be sad at points and I don't wanna tear up at work :P

[Lynn]

Loved this book. I think it helps that I like Formula 1 so the racing discussions were recognisable to me .... not sure how someone would feel about it if you didn't know the names / races.

On top of that you have a great story from a unique point of view; sometimes laugh out loud funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes heart-warming.

[Nancy H]

I really liked this book, even though I don't normally like sad books. I had many of my students read it, and they loved it, especially the dog lovers!

[Kristin]

I just joined the group and started this book. I'm loving it so far, absolutely flying through it. I can relate to Eve's relationship with Enzo. My boyfriend's dog is very much HIS dog. She's friendly to me but I think there is room for improvement in our relationship. Perhaps reading this will provide me with insight and motivation.

At first I thought reading a book from the POV of a dog would be silly but the way it is written is very enjoyable. I can tell it's going to be sad though. I've got my tissues handy!

[Janice, Moderator]

Welcome to our group Kristin! I'm glad to see you've jumped right in on a group read.

[Anne (Booklady)]

I re-read this this afternoon just for this group, and I still love it and stand by review of it.

My Review

Who besides me both cried and smiled at the very end?

[Nancy H]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "I re-read this this afternoon just for this group, and I still love it and stand by review of it.

My Review

Who besides me both cried and smiled at the very end?"

I did, too.

[Jennifer]

Just finished this book tonight and I LOVED it!! It took me a bit to get into it, but once I was there I couldn't put it down! The racing stuff was harder for me to follow, but the book has such wonderful, positive messages about life and pushing through despite our obstacles. I love Enzo!!

I added this to my list of books I need to own!

[Jennifer]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "I re-read this this afternoon just for this group, and I still love it and stand by review of it.

My Review

Who besides me both cried and smiled at the very end?"

I did!! SUCH a good book.

[Janice, Moderator]

It looks like I won't get this book finished in time. Usually, you get 2 renewals with a book. I borrowed it, thinking I could start sometime after the toppler and renew if needed. I got a notification that the book is now due so I went online to renew it. To my surprise, it said no renewals available. I'll take it to the library today and ask why it's so special. It's not like it's a new book. Nor, is it marked with the usual no renewals allowed sticker. Hmmmm.

[Rain]

Did anyone else find this book really depressing? I read it about a year ago, and while I thought it was well written I found it left me in a sad cloud for a couple weeks after finishing it.

[Janice, Moderator]

Hi Inky! Welcome to our group. :)

[Debs]

I finish this book a few days ago and it is still on my mind. This book hit home for me since most of my private conversations are with the four legged fury things I have in my life. Well written, thought provoking, emotion stirring, and entertaining. This book received 5 stars and a spot on my favorite shelf, which is rare. If you have animals that are close to you the validation with bring comfort. If you are one of those that are confused by the bond between an animal and its caretaker, you may gain some insight. Either way this story is something everyone can enjoy.

[Debra]

Inky wrote: "Did anyone else find this book really depressing? I read it about a year ago, and while I thought it was well written I found it left me in a sad cloud for a couple weeks after finishing it."

Yes, I found it very depressing, too. There were good moments, but overall it was very sad. I'm always leery of animal stories, because I just KNOW the animal is going to die or something bad is going to happen to them. That wasn't exactly the problem with this book, tho. And the ending was kinda cool.

[jaxnsmom]

I read the book three years ago, and it still ranks as one of the best. Enzo had such a wonderful attitude towards life, and unlike most of us, he learned from life's lessons. I felt such an emotional connection with Enzo, and even though I cried during the sadder parts, I don't think of it as a depressing book.

[Lynn]

No I didn't find it depressing either; there was some heartbreaking bits to it but I thought it was more heartwarming.

[Debra]

I found there were many heartwarming parts, especially the end. I don't know why it left me feeling kinda down. Maybe just the mood I was in.

[Tejas Janet]

Debra wrote: "Inky wrote: "Did anyone else find this book really depressing? I read it about a year ago, and while I thought it was well written I found it left me in a sad cloud for a couple weeks after finishi..."

Yup, definitely depressing. Heartwarming, too, at end.

I have a 14-year-old, amazing dog of my own, no doubt coloring my reactions to this book.

[Debra]

Awwww, what a lovely guy and I love the color of your couch!

[Jessica]

I finally finished this book. I have no clue why it took me so long to finish it. I really enjoined it though there could have been a bit less about racing since I do find that a bit boring. I probably should not have finished it on my break at work since the end was sad and I was already having a bad day but I did enjoy it.

I found out that they are probably getting rid of the bus from my neighborhood and I will have to move, even though financially that is not really possible or spend $20 a day in cab fare. So basically I ended up crying in the break room.

@ Tejas Janet your puppy is lovely. and the couch is a nice colour. :D

[Anne (Booklady)]

jaxnsmom wrote: "I read the book three years ago, and it still ranks as one of the best. Enzo had such a wonderful attitude towards life, and unlike most of us, he learned from life's lessons. I felt such an emot..."

Me too, jmom. And I just loved, loved the ending!!!!!! Priceless.

[Tejas Janet]

Thanks for letting me share my beautiful Sheeba dog with y'all. Hopefully we'll have a few more golden years together.

I'm so sorry it was a bad day, Jessica. Hoping tomorrow will be better and will bring a better solution for your transportation issue. Hang in there.

[Jessica]

There is a meeting about the changes to the buses tonight that I'm gonna see if I can get to. I'll have to go and kick some city/bus official butt. They claim that they are improving the system. They are removing the runs from the suburbs (me) and adding more times on the runs in the city, where the buses are never full... cause that makes sense.

@ Tejas Janet my dog lived till he was almost 18 and he was mostly healthy till the end. Hopefully you will be that lucky.

[Kristin]

I just finished, my cheeks are still wet from reading the last bit and thinking of my recently deceased precious cat Luke. I know this is a dog lovers book but it still filled my heart with bittersweet memories of all the times Luke was there for me when I just needed some unconditional love.

Like most of the people commenting here I'm not a racing fan and don't know anything about it other than cars driving fast in a circle, but I rather enjoyed the racing talk in this book. I think overall it was written so that even the most racing illiterate (points finger at self) can take away a positive message about life in general. I especially love "the car goes where the eyes go." In my experience this is so true. A positive and determined outlook does wonders in this harsh world we share. I would very much recommend this to dog lovers, racing lovers and most importantly lovers of life.

[jaxnsmom]

Debra wrote: "Awwww, what a lovely guy and I love the color of your couch!"

Would you say the color is peacock blue? ☺
It is a pretty color!

[Debra]

Peacock or teal works for me J-Mom. I'm coveting that couch, tho. I have a peacock feather pillow and throw which would look great on that vibrant couch!

[Tejas Janet]

Aw shucks, the couch is blushing I think ;)

Photos is several years old. Sofa has acquired definite well-loved look, but is still comfy and prominently placed in our t.v. family room.

[Margy]

Hi all, just joined and since I had already ready Water for Elephants, thought I would try out this one.

I admit, I don't think I would normally have gone for a book with a dog's narrative, but did end up being able to generally get past that and liked Enzo. I did however have a hard time believing that Enzo was so observant and intelligent. He did seem to glean an awful lot about life's situations from having overheard conversations. Also felt the author was really trying to pull the heart strings a little much. Let's throw a few more trying times at Denny time. Again the dog seemed to get it more than his owner. This was kind of like watching one of those movies where to start to yell at the tv trying to help them. Overall, I did like it, because regardless of the situation, the relationship between Enzo and Denny is lovely.

[Margy]

Just saw that most other comments have what you each rated the book. How do I do that? Thanks, newbie!

[Marnie]

Welcome Margy- it comes up automatically after you refresh the page. Glad you are joining the chat.

[jaxnsmom]

Debra wrote: "Peacock or teal works for me J-Mom. I'm coveting that couch, tho. I have a peacock feather pillow and throw which would look great on that vibrant couch!"

I figured with your love of peacocks, you might have to go get yourself one :)

[Debra]

I got peacock stuff around the house, and a peacock feather bedspread and shower curtain... don't think I have room for a REAL peacock, tho! lol

Hey, where's my water badge?