Dog Dish of Doom

Title: Dog Dish of Doom

Author: E. J. Copperman aka Jeffrey Cohen

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Series: Agent to the Paws Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781250084279

Length: 293 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

This has been on my TBR list for awhile, but when I had the opportunity to get a review copy of book 2, I bumped this one up on my list.  Even then I have so many books right now, it was chance that I picked it up and started reading a few lines before I got out of my car after work.  But that first bit interested me enough that I kept going once I got inside (not easy with all the chaos of home these days).  I enjoyed the concept.  I enjoyed the dogs.  The title is just as theatrical as the characters - more so than the actual mystery.  But I still enjoyed sorting the mystery out. 

I found it interesting that the main character, Kay, isn't actually seeking to poke her head into this murder (mostly), but instead is prompted by her parents and the detective on the case.  That was a change of pace, although I don't know that I found the detective requesting her investigative assistance very believable. 

Anyway, I have the second book, Bird, Bath, and Beyond ready to go in my Kindle as soon as I finish some of the other books I have going.

Death by Chocolate Lab

Title: Death by Chocolate Lab

Author: Bethany Blake [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Kensington Books

Series: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781496707383

Obtained: NetGalley

Why this book?:

I was drawn first to the title, then to the description, and the cover is cute too.

Comments:

Daphne Templeton has a deep love for animals and a pretty laissez faire attitude about life.  She lives (mostly rent free) with her sister, has a beat down van on its last legs with painted side panels advertising her business (kinda - painting vehicles isn't her friend's forte), and a junky phone that isn't always charged or functioning.  She also has a doctorate in philosophy and a vegetarian lifestyle.  Her vet sister has placed a cap on how many dogs/animals she can have in the house at a time, and she's only allowed to keep one - her basset hound, Socrates.

I find animal cozy mysteries enjoyable to start with, though they can sometimes get a little "preachy" - this one didn't feel preachy at all.  I was also strangely envious of how Daphne could be strapped for cash and yet calm and not stressed.  She's obviously intelligent and yet doesn't feel pressured to "succeed" even when her mother and sister both fuss at her.  And then there was the humor which kept me going strong, reading into the night and not reading my book discussion book when I ought to have been.

With all that, the mystery didn't even matter as much, but fortunately, I found that interesting too.  Daphne's sister's ex has been murdered, and while he was basically not well liked by anyone, her sister is the prime suspect.  So Daphne pokes around, causing trouble and showing that she can be determined when she wants.

Some people don't like romance in their mysteries.  I do, as long as it doesn't overtake the rest of the story, so I found the interaction between Daphne and Detective Jonathan Black interesting and fun.

Anyway, I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Dial Meow for Murder... I've already requested my library purchase both books.

Doggone

Title: Doggone

Author: Gabrielle Herkert [Linkedin]

Publisher: Obsidian Mystery

Series: Animal Instinct Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780451224736

Length: 332 pages

Obtained: Personal copy - I think I might have gotten it via paperbackswap.com some time agao, but I don't remember for sure.

Why this book?:

I was trying to figure out which books I could read in an effort to further reduce my collection of books.  It picked me up right away, but I had other books to get to first.  So weeks later, I could choose a new book, it was right there, and I snagged it.

Comments:

It has been YEARS since I read the first book in this series, Catnapped (library copy).  I did not (and still do not) remember the story - only that I enjoyed it.  But I was still able to quickly get into this one.  I really enjoyed it.

I read much of it while sitting in a parking lot waiting on someone shopping, and the great humor and characters made up for the obnoxious humidity and heat.  I liked Sara, Connor, Connor's family and SEAL buddies (though I withheld reality that they would be able to watch Sara like they did without getting in trouble with the bosses), and the dog, Pavarotti.

I was deeply disappointed that the third book in the series, Horsewhipped (for which there is a sneak peek in the back of this one), was never released as scheduled and that apparently Gabriella Herkert has disappeared from the face of the earth.  Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but her website no longer exists, and the only social media found is Linkedin.  Though it seems her law career is thriving.

Anyway, such is life...

Shelter Dogs in a Photo Booth

Title: Shelter Dogs in a Photo Booth

Author: Guinnevere Shuster [Facebook]

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

ISBN: 9781449477844

Obtained: Free from NetGalley

Why this book?:

Look at the cover! How could I pass it up?

Comments: 

Like many animal lovers I'm drawn to photograph books of our furry friends.  I'm also continuously on the lookout for heartwarming or inspiring dog books for my grandmother to read/peruse.  So I was quick to request this title.

The descriptions are mostly just like what you'd find on an online adoption site, but with the addition of a (generally) happy ending.  I'll be honest and admit I started skimming over those.

But the pictures are great.  Four shots of each dog, showing shelter dogs of several breeds and mixes in their most charming, fun, and entertaining poses.  Each featured dog has the opportunity to express their personalities up close in a way most could not.  Guinnevere managed to capture some of the looks I've seen but would never be able to catch on camera myself, as well as some completely new-to-me but still adorable dog expressions.

I enjoyed the book, I expect my grandmother will too (when the library gets it), and I hope the best for the shelter (The Humane Society of Utah) all these dogs came from at some point in their journey.

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

Title: Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

Author: Allie Brosh [Website][Website Pt 2][Twitter][Website Facebook]

Publisher: Touchstone

ISBN: 9781451666175

Length: 369 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it on Wowbrary.  It looked interesting.  I started it on a whim.

Comments:

Very interesting.  Parts are funny, especially relating to the dogs and some of the childhood stories.  And parts were surprisingly deep.  My father has issues with depression (a lot more long term than I get the impression Allie's was, but still) and has actually attempted suicide, and it was interesting to see it from that perspective instead of the family members, and in such a descriptive way.  And of course parts are just okay.  But I don't expect anyone trying to be funny to strike me that way every single time.  Anyway, I'm glad I read it.  I spent some interesting time browsing Allie's blog about midway through the book.  And I ("duh" moment) realized she's the one that does that "clean all the things!" which is very amusing in context.

 

Grumpy Gloria (Children's Book) AND I'm Not Reading! (Children's Book)

Title: Grumpy Gloria

Author/Illustrator: Anna Dewdney

Publisher: Viking

ISBN: 0670061239

Obtained: ILL Library copy

Why this book:

Love Anna Dewdney's other work so had to try this one.

Comments:

I LOVE that Gloria's a bulldog. My sis's dog (the one I've been training), is a bulldog mix. In addition, the story was cute. It has great vocab, as usual for a Dewdney book. Also like other Dewdney books, this one has a nice sing-song rhyming rhythm.  I'm definitely glad I requested it.

Title: I'm Not Reading!

Author/Illustrator: Jonathan Allen

Publisher: Boxer Books

Series: Baby Owl, Bk6

ISBN: 9781907967443

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

It looked cute and had the word “reading” in the title.

Comments:

Owl sits down to read to Owly, but then Tiny Chick comes.  That's fine but then more and more come until finally Baby Owl is NOT READING!  It's a nice story with a happy ending.  I think part of what I liked was that "baby" owl was reading to other children.  I liked the idea of sharing literacy, even at a young age.  Maybe especially at a young age.

Tracking Justice

Title: Tracking Justice

Author: Shirlee McCoy

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Series: Texas K-9 Unit, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780373675418

Pages: 280

Obtained: Purchased from library branch book sale rack

Comments:

So I participate in TellHarlequin, which means that I answer some surveys and in exchange receive some free books (which they hope I will also give feedback for, though I usually don't read them by the survey deadlines).  Lately I've been feeling guilty for continuously answering None to how many Harlequin books I've Purchased or Read yadda yadda (it's because of financial reasons, but still).  So I made a point of finding some recent releases for sale through the Friends of my local library (via donations).  Among them were this book as well as the next in the series. 

I started it 2 days later and finished that same day.  I liked the hero and heroine (though the heroine was a bit overboard on the trust issues).  I loved the dog.  The boy was a sweetheart.  The K-9 and Search and Rescue aspect overall was cool.  And I'm eager to learn more about the ongoing mysteries brought up throughout this book.  The fact that the book turned out to be large print (I wasn't paying attention) thankfully didn't matter in my ease of reading (sometimes large print can be TOO large, but that wasn't the case here).  Next in this series is Detection Mission by Margaret Daley, and I look forward to starting it.

Note: I haven't really tried much of the inspirational suspense, but it worked.  Clean and yet not boring or preachy.

Christmas / Winter books read in 2012

Title: Merry Christmas, Splat

Author: Rob Scotton

Publisher: Harper

Series: Splat the Cat, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780060831608

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I've seen plenty of Splat books, but I haven't really read them until this one.  I found myself charmed.  Splat is so eager to get a very big present from Santa that he makes extra attempts to be good and helpful.  He makes a mess of it, but he's just so excited.  So excited, in fact, that he stays up listening for Santa.  But he doesn't hear anything.  Wasn't he good enough?  I'll definitely be trying more of the Splat books in the future...and there are quite a few to choose from.

Title: The Dog Who Saved Santa

Author: True Kelley

Publisher: Holiday House

ISBN: 9780823421206

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

Santa is lazy.  He's also beardless (I point this point out because my niece asked about it the moment she saw the first picture).  Everyone else has to pick up the slack, especially his dog Rodney.  But that Christmas goes horribly, with lots of complaints (I would have complained too).  So Rodney decides since Santa obviously isn't going to take action, he will.  This is a cute story.  It's definitely a different perspective of Santa, though...

Title: Penguin and Pinecone: A Friendship Story

Author: Salina Yoon

Publisher: Walker & Company

Series: Penguin, Bk 1 (I think)

ISBN: 9780802728449

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I really enjoyed this book.  It's such a sweet story.  The illustrations are simple and yet adorable.  And even though Penguin and Pinecone must part, I love the ending.  It looks like two new Penguin books are due out this 2013, Penguin on Vacation and Penguin on Holiday; I look forward to reading them.  Salina also has a book titled Penguin's Snowy Day that came out in 2009.  I'm not sure if it's the same Penguin or not (he's illustrated differently), but if so, this is book 2.

Underwater Dogs

Title: Underwater Dogs

Author (Photographer): Seth Casteel

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

ISBN: 9780316227704

Pages: 130

Obtained: Library copy

This is a lovely photography book that offers a glimpse at dogs from a new angle. Dogs are shown from underwater, some with mouths wide open, some closed. Most with bulging eyes. Overall, the pictures are breathtaking. It was adorable and a book I wanted to share with others. And while all the dogs featured were great, I especially loved the OIde English Bulldogges and English Bulldogs.

You can find a video about Seth Casteel's underwater dogs photography here.  I haven't actually heard this video because the computer I'm currently on doesn't have working volume, but it looks interesting.

Read in 2012.

What I've been reading...

Since they cozy challenge ended I've still been reading mostly cozies with a couple paranormal romances tossed in.

Pumped for Murder by Elaine Viets
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay (re-read)
Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay
Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle
Blonde with a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Chick with a Charm by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Quickstep to Murder by Ella Barrick
Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston

I'm currently reading How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale.  This is the first attempt that has made it past the 1st chapter (I've a few false starts over the past year), so I'm good for now.

Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family

Title: Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family

Author: Glenn Plaskin

Publisher: Center Street

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: September 2010

ISBN: 9781599952543

Pages: 254

Book Description (from dust jacket):

For families and animal lovers everywhere, KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL is the transcendent tale of how three generations of strangers and an astutely intelligent dog create their own little family in a waterside community along the Hudson River.

It all begins with a random meeting between a younger man and his octogenarian neighbor, Pearl, their attachment cemented by a blond-haired puppy. It isn t long before writer Glenn Plaskin, Pearl, and her husband, Arthur, form a profound bond that blesses all in its sphere. This includes a three-year-old boy named Ryan and his single dad, John, who also happen to be living down the same hallway in a downtown Manhattan high-rise, just opposite the World Trade Center.

The group gravitates around Katie, the magnetic cocker spaniel whose domain is a 120-foot red-carpeted hallway — the site of dog races, obedience training sessions, Halloween parades, and a passageway to parties and late-night exchanges of confidences. With an uncanny instinct for responding to the needs of her pack, Katie merrily trots up and down her territory, navigating from apartment to apartment, pushing open the doors purposefully left ajar and bringing the entire group together. Her canine antics include fashion modeling, using the TV remote, typing, sitting posture-perfect at the dining table (her paws delicately around her food bowl), expertly eating corn on the cob, charming celebrities (Katharine Hepburn, Peter Jennings, Bette Midler, and Ivana Trump among them), and racing neighborhood kids down the hallway.

Pearl, nicknamed Granny Down the Hall, is the family s feisty matriarch (and referee), her dining table home base. Ryan, who has no mom, finds a grandmother in Pearl; his dad, with no living parents, inherits a mom; while Glenn discovers a confidante.

Over the next sixteen years, we witness adventures that encompass Hollywood high times, bad health, accidents, even the terrors of 9/11, brought to life here as never before. Through it all, this family clings together, sharing a deep bond that gives each comfort, support, and security.

But nothing lasts forever nothing except the abiding love of family, which can never be broken apart, even by the inevitability of separation, illness, and death. Based on a widely read article in Family Circle, here is a riveting tale about the true meaning of love and the magic of opening your door to a neighbor, turning friendship to family.

*The video below says essentially the same thing as the description above — with pictures. Repetitive, I know, but I wanted a choice available...

Comments:

The obnoxiously long title is a great indication that this is a non-fiction book. I don't read much non-fiction, but do try out the occasional book. This one drew because I like stories about how people are brought together, and that it was a dog doing the bringing? Even better.

As for my thoughts on it, well...

I finished it. It could get a little boring at times.

It definitely got to me emotionally. Parts were a little too much, "I know this celebrity and that celebrity and lookie I ate in this celebrity's house!".

It had one chunk repeated twice (like he didn't know which part of the book he should tell this story, so he stuck it in both places, and no one remembered to cut one of them) that caused irritation w/ the editors (or whoever's responsible for that kind of thing). It's about a dog, and family, and togetherness.

Overall, it was an interesting and heart-warming story (that had me in bone-aching tears at one point), despite parts that were boring and, while obviously important to Glenn Plaskin's life, not so important to Katie's story.

The Search

Title: The Search

Author: Nora Roberts

Publisher: G. P. Putnum's Sons

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: July 2010

ISBN: 9780399156700 (Large Print)

Pages: 756

Book Description (from back cover):

To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life — a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...

Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of a serial killer — a madman who stalked and abducted young women, strangled them, and left them buried with a red scarf on their bodies. As authorities were closing in on the Red Scarf Killer, he shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.

On Orcas Island, Fiona has found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. Yet all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.

To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and intensely private artist, known for creating exquisite furniture. Simon never wanted a puppy, and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to the laws of attraction.

As fiona embarks on training Jaws and as Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows,, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands....

Comments:

Before reading this I had read some reviews that said this story wasn't as good as Nora's usual. Not that it was bad, but that it was just okay. So I was nervous going in. Coming out, I can say that I didn't need to be so nervous. It was still an interesting and enjoyable read. But I can kinda see what these other reviewers were talking about. The characters and their stories just don't hit as deep as usual.

I liked it. I liked the search and rescue thing and the characters (despite the aforementioned lack of usual depth), and I didn't have a problem with the killer/suspense part (one of the reviews I mentioned did). But it isn't going to be one of my first choices to re-read (and Nora Roberts is one of the authors I re-read annually... not all of her works, obviously).

walking in circles before lying down

Title: walking in circles before lying down

Author: Merrill Markoe

Publisher: Villard

Copyright Date: 2006

Print Date: August 2006

ISBN: 140006483X

Pages: 270

Book Description (from dust jacket):

Dawn Tarnauer's life isn't exactly a success story. Already twice divorced, the young Californian is too busy job-hopping to start a career, her current boyfriend insists on living "off the grid," her Life Coach sister perpetually interferes with incomprehensible affirmations, her eccentric mother is busy promoting the culmination of her life's work—the Every Holiday Tree—and her father is ending his brief third marriage while scheduling two dates for the same night.

Dawn's only source of security and comfort, it seems, is Chuck, a pit-bull mix from the pound. So, when her boyfriend announces that he's leaving her for another woman, a despairing Dawn turns to Chuck for solace.

"I should have said something sooner," she hears Chuck say, consoling her. "Couldn't you smell her on his pants?"

Dawn is stunned. It's one thing to talk to your pets, but what do you do when they start talking back? It's not just Chuck, either; she can hear all dogs—and man's best friend has a lot to say. The ever enthusiastic Chuck offers his tried-and-true advice on the merits of knocking over garbage and strewing it everywhere, auxiliary competitive peeing etiquette, and the curative powers of tossing a ball. Doubtful of her own sanity, Dawn nevertheless considers that, in the ways of life and love, it might be better to trust Chuck's doggie instincts instead of her own.

Filled with sharp wit, biting humor, and canine conversation that would make Doctor Dolittle's jaw drop, Merrill Markoe's engaging, cleverly written novel is about the confusing search for love and the divine acts of dog.

Comments:

I'm not sure what made me pick this book up (while browsing at the library). Maybe it was the picture of the dog. And I haven't read a straight up "novel" in a while, so that may have had something to do with it. In any case, I started reading the dust jacket (above) and my mouth litterally dropped when I got to the dog talking part. It took me completely by surprise, and after that I had to read it.

As for the book itself. I could have done without the periodic surges of hard language, but the story was interesting. Getting the dog perspective allows Dawn to grow and learn about herself. For the reader, the talking dogs added great humor—complete with [potential] answers to many dog related questions... What do dogs circle before lying down? Why do dogs enjoy strewing garbage around? Why do dogs feel this great need to mark? Why do dogs eat their own vomit? etc.

This was a nice break from my usual reading while still giving me the very-different-from-my-own-reality world I look for in most of my reading.