Books from October

The September choice for my evening book group was The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.  I had not read it before, mostly because I am not an "animal person" and didn't care to read a story told by a dog.  Well, I have learned a lesson...be more open...if a book is touted as good, try it!

 The story is told by Enzo, a lab terrier, whose owner is Denny, a race care driver.  Enzo shares Denny's love of racing and follows racing as closely as his owner.  Enzo loves to watch TV and the taped races that Denny watches.  Denny marries Eve and they have a daughter, Zoe.  Enzo is constantly frustrated that he can't speak because there is so much that he could tell Denny about what is going on, and, besides that, Enzo has many questions that he cannot ask!  He also laments his lack of opposable thumbs.

 Enzo has learned from TV that when dogs die, they return to earth as a person.  He is anxious for that to occur and hopes that when he would return he would be able to meet up with Denny. When Eve starts not feeling well, Enzo is unable to tell Denny what is happening with her. Things continue to fall apart and Enzo stays faithful to Denny, trying to help him through the rough patches.

Some of the story is hard to swallow, primarily because Denny allows things to happen, especially with his in-laws, but all-in-all, the story is a good one and you just can't help but love Enzo!

The next book "read" was Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, which I listened to as an audio book.  It is important to note that I love Tom Brokaw, so being able to hear his voice reading his book was amazing to me!  I loved the book...it's full of stories about men and women who served during World War II.  In the stories, Tom tells of their wartime service and then how their lives played out after the war.  It is a very moving, entertaining, and informative book.  It certainly adds to one's appreciation of the sacrifice that all of our men and women have given in the service, in any of the wars that have occurred.

Lastly, I have re-read The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler.  It is a very eye-opening book talking about the food industry and how they have developed foods that keep people wanting more.  Basically, if sugar, salt and fat are added and added, layered and layered on foods, people continue to want them.  A very interesting book that may change the way you look at food, both at the supermarket and in restaurants.  I didn't like the emphasis on dieting and restricting food, although I did understand the concept.  I am just working on a more kind way of looking at eating.

All in all, some good reading.  Now I am returning to another mystery of Greg Iles!