Books for the animal-loving reader on your Christmas list

November 28, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw Leave a Comment

If you’ve got an animal lover on your Christmas list who also happens to love books, then here are a few great gift ideas they’re sure to love!

1) “A Dog’s Purpose” and “Emory’s Gift”, by W. Bruce Cameron. ”A Dog’s Purpose” is narrated by Toby, a dog who is born, lives, dies, and then finds himself reborn again and again, eventually understanding that he has learned something from each life that helps him find his ultimate purpose. It’s a very funny and inspiring must-read for anyone who has ever loved, or been loved by, a dog. But be warned: once you start reading, you won’t be able to put this book down. Be sure to pick up two copies of this book: one to give and one to keep for yourself! In “Emory’s Gift”, 13-year-old Charlie Hall struggles to deal with his mother’s death and his father’s retreat into silence. Then a grizzly bear named Emory brings a message that will help heal the wounds of grief, not just for Charlie and his father, but for anyone willing to listen to what this amazing animal has to say. [Read more...]

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Book review: “Stay,” by Allie Larkin

November 28, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw 2 Comments

It’s the age old story: girl loves boy, boy falls in love with girl’s best friend, girl goes on a drinking binge and orders at dog off the internet.

OK, so it’s the age old story with a twist. Of lime.

In her debut novel, “Stay”, author Allie Larkin has penned a funny chick lit story of love, friendship and self-discovery, and tied it all together with a dog named Joe.

Savannah “Van” Leone has been in love with her friend Peter Clarke since they met on the first day of classes in college. Except over the years, Peter has fallen head over heels for Van’s best friend Janie.

Now Van is the maid of honor at Peter and Janie’s wedding, and she’s barely holding herself together for the benefit of her two friends. Not only is she dealing with a love lost, she’s forced to revisit the memory of her mother, who passed away from cancer. [Read more...]

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Book review: “Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts,” by Lucy Dillon

November 28, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw Leave a Comment

I’m not much for romance novels, or chick lit for that matter. But I gladly made an exception for “Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts,” the new novel by Lucy Dillon.

Thirty-nine-year-old Rachel Fielding is having a bad year. She’s lost her job and ended a long-term relationship (with a married man), and to make matters worse has inherited her late aunt’s house - which includes a dog kennel and a grieving Border collie named Gem.

With nowhere else to go – at least until she finds another job - Rachel agrees to take over the kennel until the place can be sold.

The kennel is actually a dog rescue, staffed by dedicated volunteers who happily show Rachel the ropes (even if she’s scooping poop while wearing a Marc Jacobs skirt and heels) and help her understand that working with dogs is healing for both woman and pup. [Read more...]

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DreamWorks picks up movie rights to NY Times bestseller "A Dog's Purpose"

October 28, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw Leave a Comment

Fans of writer W. Bruce Cameron will be wagging for joy at this news: DreamWorks has picked up the movie rights to Cameron’s NY Times Bestselling novel, “A Dog’s Purpose.” Cameron will write the screen play, along with Cathryn Michon (who also happens to be his wife.) The movie will be produced by Gavin Polone.

“I saw this as a movie virtually from the time the idea showed up whole cloth in my head,” Cameron says on the DreamWorks website. He hopes for “an uplifting movie, a movie about joy and purpose and redemption. And at the very end, we don’t have to bury the main character.”

Well, maybe not at the very end. But if the film follows the book, we’ll see the main character live through several lifetimes and multiple owners as he seeks to find his purpose as a dog. And that means some teary scenes, followed by some joyful rebirths.

“A Dog’s Purpose” is a very funny and inspiring must-read for anyone who has ever loved, or been loved by, a dog. But be warned: once you start reading, you won’t be able to put this book down. [Read more...]

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