It's Sunday, rainy...my favorite kind of day. And I think that its right here that I have to come clean with the fact that I'm a truly boring person. In a good way I think. I'm always blogging about my favorite day - a day spent at home. Well, today is filling the bill quite nicely. It's 4:30 in the afternoon, the house is quiet, I'm in my jammy pants, house is clean, my trusty washer and dryer are processing the last few stitches of laundry. And here I am sitting, washing down crackers with a good bottle of wine and relishing, REALLY relishing in my new favorite good book.

I tend to not play favorites when it comes to books. My top five list is a pretty exclusive place to be. I read so much which has made me a VERY discriminating reader. But I've found a new one, and I am LOVING IT. According to my reading calendar I should be cracking open the next title on my book club list. But I digress...The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein has put all other reading on my to-do list on hold.

This wonderful, heart wrenching story told is told in the first person voice of Enzo, a dog that knows he is different than other dogs, and the story of Enzo's family, his life. I don't typically tend towards animal stories, but when I think about it I was NUTS about Dewey the Library Cat (wow did I cry over that one). But this story is different...good writing (yes, I do mean GOOD writing) and an unforgettable story line. Let me just say that if you like anything by Wally Lamb then you're sure to love this gem of a novel.

Here's just a small clip from the book - a few lines I just read that pack a real WOW punch...

and keep in mind that this is the dog talking here:

"To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live. To feel the joy of life, as Eve felt the joy of life. To separate oneself from the burden, the angst, the anguish that we all encounter every day. To say I am alive, I am wonderful, I am. I am. That is something to aspire to. When I am a person, that is how I will live my life."

You see, Enzo lives his life with the firm belief that if he has lived his dog's life right, he'll return a human. Oh for goodness sake, I just can't say enough about this wonderful story, I guess except to say that it's so inspired me. And catch me if I'm wrong, but how can one argue with Enzo's aspirations? Isn't this what life is all about anyhow? Isn't this what we ALL should truly aspire to do? To live?

I must admit that I have to thank one of my library book club friends for suggesting this book to me early last fall. It's been a challenge to find it on the shelf at the library, and also to find the time to read for myself. But wow, I'm sure glad that I did. You will be too! For more info on this wonderful, perfect story go to http://www.goenzo.com/.

-t.

p.s. this book has me taking Tosca and Figaro, my crazy cats, just a little more seriously:)