Good Reads

As many of you know, I've had some extra time on my hands... which has it's ups and downs. One up though, is that when it came time for my family reunion celebrating my parent's 50th anniversary, I was able to go up to Washington for 12 days, not just 4. Check out the blog about the adventure we had in Olympic, Forks, Sequim... but one thing I must share is what I read (yet another up to being unemployed, you can read tons).

Book one of the Seattle trip was The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. First I need to tell how I came to find this book. So a few days before leaving for Seattle my mom asked if I wanted to go to Costco. Now we know that we never pass on a trip to Costco with mom - you're guaranteed to get something. :) So we were there and I had asked my mom if I could get a book for the trip, she of course said yes.

As I wondering around the book tables, I am not finding Time Travelers Wife (Em's pick for Aug) so I was lost as to what to pick for a trip book. Right when I was about to give up and go without a book, some old lady came up besides me. Now this is one thing I love about Costco - the people that go there are all the same, they love to talk. I sear it is a truth universal acknowledged. Anyway. So this sweet old lady comes up to me and asks "Do you love dogs?" I of course said yes. She then handed me this book off the table with a cute dog on the cover. She told me it was funny and a great read and from the point of view of the dog. I was intrigued. Plus, any book that would make this lady talk to a complete stranger and tell her to read it, well, it had to be good.

I started it on my flight from Burbank to Seattle. I cried in the first chapter. I laughed in the second. It is a great book. Makes you reflect on your life, relationships, your pets... man, great read. I hit every major emotion while reading that book, every major one. The story telling is wonderful. Easy to read because Enzo is telling the story in such a fun and playful way. They do touch on serious issues and ways to deal with it. Great book - I recommend you read it. It's worth the time.

So I finished that book in a matter of days, which left me with nothing to read the rest of my trip and on the flight home. Me and my sister went to target and I happened to find The Time Traveler's Wife, so I bought it but later left it at my sisters house without reading a page of it, and yet again I had nothing. That same sister and I went to Borders, to find me another book to read on the way home. She recommended Garden Spell by Sarah Addison Allen. Never heard of her, didn't know what to expect, but I trust my sister and I bought it.

I started this book on the flight home... and got about half way through it. Then I finished it later the next day - less than 24 hrs to finish it. So When I say quick read, it's a quick read. I loved it. Fun theme, playful setting. Love the characters. It's a great summer book filled with magic and love. I'm a sucker for those kinds of things. Read it this summer while outside, you'll love it.