As always, there are piles of books on my desk, my bedside table, the dining room table, and Willie’s crate. Books are one of my greatest joys in life, but like gardening, I never feel caught up. However, that never seems to stop me from buying more books, so here are some thoughts about some of the books I’ve been reading and reviewing. I love hearing from you about the books you have enjoyed (or not), so consider this an invitation to have a “Book Club” evening together.
The Dog Trainer’s Resource 3: The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection. This is the third in a series of articles written for APDT’s magazine, Chronicle of the Dog. As a result, it has an eclectic set of topics, from “The Emotional Life of Dogs” (an article I wrote) to “Teaching Group Classes” to “Business Development Strategies” to a large section on “Behavior Modification”. The book’s strength is in its range of perspectives, with articles written by some of the field’s most important and thoughtful contributors, including Susan Friedman, Karen London, Suzanne Hetts, Dan Estep, Sue Sternberg, Risë VanFleet, and Pia Silvani. That’s a lot of people with a lot of important things to say. This is a valuable resource for any one in the business, but also a good one for those interested in a collection of good articles on behavior modification, including a significant section on aggression and reactivity.
In Dogs We Trust, curated by LB Hodge and inspired by his dog Gander. Lon Hodge says without hesitation that Gander saved his life, after years of trauma and horror left Lon with a life-crushing version of PTSD. Lon finally reached out to Freedom Service Dogs in Colorado who matched him up with therapy dog Gander, who not only saved his life but inspired Lon to do all he could to help other soldiers who are also suffering in similar ways. In Dogs We Trust is a collection of short stories written about the bond between dog and person, including one written by Lon who is also a brilliant writer unto himself. I’ve read it, The Voices at Arlington, at least 10 times. Lon and editor Alexandra Thurman did all the typesetting and printing arrangements themselves, and although it’s format is not polished, it is a beautiful book, and one that is helping to generate revenue for therapy dogs for veterans who need them.
Our Faithful Companions: Exploring the Essence of Our Kinship with Animals, by Aubrey H. Fine. Without question, Dr. Fine is the current grand daddy of therapy dogs, and he has written another thoughtful and thought-provoking book about the bond between people and dogs. Critical reading for anyone with, or who wishes to have, a therapy dog, and lovely reading for anyone who needs a dose of oxytocin.
Bread and Butter by Michelle Wildgen. Warning: There is virtually nothing about dogs in this entire book, but I’ve been reading a lot of fiction lately and this is one of my favorites. It’s about the relationship between three brothers, running a restaurant, and trying to navigate oneself through the complications of family, managing a business, and dealing with life… or, the “whole catastrophe,” as said in the movie Fiddler on the Roof. I was more than surprised to read the first reviews on Amazon, which were quite critical. I loved the book myself. I’m sure the fact that food is mentioned on every page had nothing to do with it.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I’m an outlier here. Just as I was in regards to The Art of Racing in the Rain, which got rave reviews all over the place and left me feeling like I’d been standing outside for too long in a drizzle. The Goldfinch has not only gotten rave reviews, but it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Who am I to say I didn’t love it? Eeeps, is there something wrong with me? Actually, I DID love it at first; the beginning is compelling and brilliantly written and I was absolutely mesmerized. And then….400 or 500 pages later (it is 775 pages long) I began to lose interest. I started skimming over sections, and skimmed my way to the end, barely caring anymore what happened to a protagonist who I originally would have risked my life to help.
The Black-eyed Blonde by Benjamin Black. From the sublime (Pulitzer prize winner) to the ridiculous (formulaic fiction)? Ah, but I love a good mystery, even one that harkens back to the 1950’s when gorgeous women stroll into seedy offices and seduce down-and-out detectives into taking their cases. Not that that ever really happened in the 50’s, but those of us who grew up reading Raymond Chandler and his down-on-his-heels detective Philip Marlow can still love the genre. Author Benjamin Black (check out his photo, he looks like Philip Marlowe ought to look) did a great job channeling the classic American detective story of a by-gone era, in which women are “dames” and cigarettes are “cancer sticks.” Okay, not great literature, but exactly what I needed after a long day grading papers and management of Maggie the Wonder-Woman-Dog-Trickster. Maybe I should start calling her a “dame”?
A Preview of Books I’m Reviewing: It feels a tad mean to write about books that won’t be out for several months, but I’m also reading War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History and Love by Rebecca Frankel and Travels with Casey by Benoit Denizet-Lewis. I’m farther along in War Dogs, which is full of hard-to-put-down stories about military dogs and the handlers who love them (and are often told not to). It is a well-written book that I have been asked to blurb, and I will, because Frankel has done a brilliant job of taking us into another world of dogs and soldiers in war. Truth be told however, I am reading it with no small amount of angst. Although I generally keep politics out of my speeches and writing, I haven’t been a fan of putting so many wonderful people into the hell of battle in some of my country’s recent wars, and adding dogs into the mix just makes it harder. But as the author says, there has been a huge disconnect between Americans who have fought in recent wars and Americans who are not in the military, and dogs are one way to bridge the gap. She’s right. I’ve also started reading Travels with Casey, and admit to first thinking “Really?” Could a knock off of Travels with Charlie be more obvious? Then I started reading, and struggled to put it down.
What about you? I’d love to hear what you are reading now. No matter how much dog training, cooking, gardening and oh yeah–working–we have to do, we still can’t stop reading, right?
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Did I mention dog training and gardening? Lots of that going on. We are in the height of glorious spring. June may be said to be “busting out all over,” but around here, it’s May that is bursting with life and color. The tulips are up, the new Juneberry tree is blooming and the wild plum trees are fixing to burst into blossom, too. Of course, all the weeds are up, too. Jim and I spent so much time digging and planting yesterday that we could have planted something on our forearms. As it turned out, so did Maggie. Here’s what happens when someone left their new dog unattended for too long in the house.
Whoops. It took us an hour to clean it up and Jim moved yet even closer to sainthood by never saying one word to either me or Maggie about the mess. Of course, there was nothing to say to Maggie, since who knows when she had done it. The plant itself is in critical condition on life support, and I am glad that it is not able to express its own opinion about the matter.
I have no idea what kind of plant this is (was?), but at the end of the 3 stalks or trunks are some quite lovely leaves. Here it is outside, propped up until I can do a better job re-potting it. Poor thing. Anyone know their house plant species?
Here’s a plant that we all know well: The famous and infamous tulip, which started wars, and made and destroyed fortunes. I have to admit I can understand the passion; I absolutely love tulips. I love native plants too, but just love watching those tulip buds open…
And now, Maggie is alone in the living room. I think I’d better hit “Save” and “Post”…
Andrea says
Thanks for the book reviews. I think its time to add more books to my pile!
It looks like the plant Maggie went after is a Dracaena, which is on the ASPCA’s list of plants that can be toxic to dogs and cats and cause vomiting, depression, anorexia, or hypersalivation if ingested: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/dracaena
I don’t know if she would have eaten any of the plant, but its something I constantly have to think about with my 2 labs that will graze or taste almost anything that happens to be near their mouths.
Ann says
I’m down to my last few pages of The Goldfinch. I have the same feelings as you regarding this book. I kept saying to myself as I tried to read the middle with as much interest as the beginning: “Where was her editor?” and “Enough already, I know you’re a really good writer with an excellent imagination so you don’t have to keep beating me over the head.” And finally, just who are the judges on the Pulitzer Committee?
Katie Traxel says
I recently read, and loved, Boys in the Boat – true story of the rowing team that competed in the Berlin Olympics against Hitler’s team. Fascinating look at that time and a sport I know almost nothing about. Sorry, no dogs, but a great story.
Ulrike says
My first post, but I just had to comment…
We have a schnauzer who has a similar passion for house plants. Dirt eater extraordinaire! I’ve since topped all the pots at dog level with large rocks, which seems to do the trick (most of the time).
The plant looks like a dracaena. We also have a three-pronged one. It has survived multiple assaults, though none quite as catastrophic as the one depicted above ;-).
On the literary front, the stack next to the bed currently includes Shirley Jackson’s Life Among the Savages and Turid Rugaas’s Barking.
Robin Jackson says
Thanks! Always enjoy your book reviews very much!
One tiny note: under the ADA in the US, Gander is a service dog, not a therapy dog. The difference is specific and legally important:
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
“A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”
The training means that a service dog has specific training to help ameliorate the person’s disability. Some common tasks for those working for someone with PTSD would be finding an exit if the person is in a fugue state or turning on light switches to “clear” a room before the person enters.
Only service dogs are allowed in public spaces like restaurants and movie theaters.
A therapy dog in this context is a dog who goes with his handler to provide comfort to others such as hospital and nursing home visits. They don’t require any special training other than good manners. But they only go where they’re invited, and are not allowed in restaurants.
(In the US for housing purposes under the Fair Housing Act the term “therapy animal” is used differently. But those dogs still can’t go into stores, etc with “no pets” rules.)
Some veterans with PTSD will benefit from therapy dogs who visit them in groups settings. Some will benefit from therapy dogs who live at home with them but have no special training and don’t venture into “no pets” areas.
But I believe IN DOGS WE TRUST is being used to programs that help match veterans with fully trained service dogs, like Gander.
Again, a very small point here, but since so many people first encounter these concepts through your blog, an important one.
Tyler says
I’m currently working on “Dog Food Logic” and will probably read “Decoding Your Dog” shortly after.
Frances says
I have just finished Shadows, by Robin McKinley. I don’t think it is her best book, by quite a long way, but I found it particularly interesting for the prominence it gives to dog rescue and training – unexpected in a science fantasy novel! And the training methods are firmly reward based, I am glad to say.
Donna in VA says
Dracena. You can cut the stalk and stick the top leafed part water, it should grow new roots and you would have a shorter plant that might look more proportionate. The bottom half with roots might or might not sprout a new set of leaves. One of ours recently became so top-heavy that it just snapped in the middle.
mary mccomb says
It is so validating to read your reaction to The Goldfinch. Thank you for sharing!
LisaW says
Rebecca Frankel posts a weekly dispatch on MWDs. I used to read it regularly until the site started charging 🙁
http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/category/one_time_tags/rebeccas_war_dog_of_the_week
I look forward to her book.
I’m reading The Relaxation Response, by Dr. Herbert Benson, an oldie but goodie on techniques to help you have a moment of zen and lower your blood pressure. It was an Rx from my doc. I guess she thinks I need to chill.
Gayla McCarthy says
“Maggie’s plant” may be a type of Dracaena?
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Types+of+Dracaena+Plants&qpvt=Types+of+Dracaena+Plants&FORM=IGRE
Harley says
I think I will start this spring out with The Dog Trainers Resource 3, I am looking forward to reading about your thoughts on our dogs emotional life, and learning more about one of the corner stones of dog training, behavior modification.
Marianne Cyr says
I LOVED the Goldfinch! I couldn’t put it down, was sorry when it was over, and will be reading the author’s other books. My sister’s book club read it and she said people either loved it or couldn’t get through it. My sister hated it.
I started Decoding Your Dog after reading your review. I agree with your review and am having difficulty finishing it.
I’m reading Bill Bryson’s Dictionary of Troublesome Words. Loving that too. I’m amazed at what I’m learning; such as, did you know that “enormity” doesn’t refer to size? It refers to something “wicked, monstrous, and outrageous.” Who knew? If that’s not interesting to you, you might look at any of his other books. They’re laugh-out-loud funny; many are travelogues, one about Australia, one on the Appalachian Trail, one on Africa, one on the history of homes that was really fascinating. Anyway, that’s my 2 cents.
Love your blog!
Marianne Cyr
Kat says
After devouring a steady stream of dog books for several months I’m apparently now on break from the genre. I have a friend with whom I exchange books regularly. Our tastes are quite similar with just enough variation to keep it interesting. He is not a dog person but several of the books I’ve read were passed on to him, What the Dog Knows, How Dogs Love Us, and Karen Pryor’s latest the name of which eludes me at the moment. After reading the books I’d loaned him, at our last get together he asked if all dog people are really crazy. He may have a point.
Currently I’m rereading all of David Weber’s Honor Harrington books. Space Opera at its finest. And reading about permaculture which has me reevaluating how I garden and developing a new appreciation of how my dogs and my family fit into our ecosystem. I’ve gone from seeing Finna’s determined search of the yard on rodent (especially squirrels) and crow patrol as a slightly irritating nuisance behavior to a valuable contribution to the success of my ‘crops.’ Most of the property is native species with plenty of forage for the crows, squirrels, and other rodents so they can stay out of my human edible plantings and Finna is making sure that happens.
Cally says
I’m reading “Inside of a Dog”, though I haven’t seen it since Monday. I can’t remember where I left it, stupidly. For what it’s worth, the first three pages were enjoyable!
I am also enjoying “General Ignorance”, a book accompanying the British TV series “QI”. It’s filled with interesting stories. Most recently, I learned that German soldiers of WWI apparently used uniforms made of nettles. Cheap resource.
Mireille says
Love Brill Bryson too, read Notes from a small Island and Notes from a big country last year (Stories bout his life and travels in the UK and USA respectively.
Been soo busy at work with a difficult task (merger) that somehow I can’t get my mind around anything more difficult than Agatha Christie ;-).
But I got some books for my birthday – as always that I hope to read in my upcoming holliday. I started in one of them, a Dutch book about two people walking the trans himalaya trail. (Lopen over de grens, Walking across borders) It’s not just about walking, but also about crossing borders mentally. Love it.
If I cheat a little and include some not so recently read books; I loved ‘The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecka Skloot (about the woman from whom the HeLa cells have originated, having worked with the cells myself I loved to read about their background)
On the holliday list are ‘Animal stories’ by Midas Dekkers (alas not translated yet, although some of his other work is, like http://www.amazon.com/Way-All-Flesh-Romance-Ruins/dp/0374286825/ref=la_B001H6PMRM_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400045800&sr=1-2.
Ironic an very witty
Trisha says
Thanks first off for all the wisdom about my poor Dracaena plant. It is put back together but outside now and needs to be repotted. I didn’t do a good enough job the first time, so I’ll try again this afternoon. Maggie seemed none the worse for wear (she concentrated on the dirt, not the plant) and the long stems, which look pathetic and spindly in the photo, actually work nicely in the living room. The plant, small tree size, sits behind a big chair and the leaves show between five and seven feet above the floor above the chair and framing a beautiful print of loons.
And thanks so much for the great ideas about more books. I guess I’ll just give up sleeping. No wait… that’s not a good idea! By the way, I too loved Boys in the Boat and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Both non-fiction and both page turners.
Trisha says
Thanks Robin for the correction that Gander is a Service Dog, not a Therapy Dog. You are right on, and I should’ve caught that myself (not to mention not made the mistake in the first place!)
Chris says
I loved The Goldfinch at first too, partially because the protagonist as a boy was so sweet and innocent and loving. When he went to his father’s in Vegas, all that changed and after he left and went back to NY I had high hopes that he would change back, but no, he got worse. That’s when I really became disheartened and finished it, but without the love the first part engendered.
I will say that, as I age, I no longer want to read about people I don’t care about, see them on TV or even movies. I love a really good villain, but to turn a beautiful boy into a half-baked con artist and cheat just does not make me want to continue on his journey (although I did, and there’s a brief moment of hope at the end). Just like Gone Girl’s ending, which I truly despised–yes, it was a shock, but in the best books you can look back and see it was there all the time. In Gone Girl, it felt thrown in there just for shock value.
Just about to start Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life, she’s always great!
HFR says
Yay! Finally someone who agrees with me about Gone Girl! I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with people over that book and how it “cheated” the reader. BTW, they are changing the ending for the movie. We’ll see.
As a person who loves dogs, I don’t enjoy reading dog books that much. I did really like Inside of a Dog, but I think it took me a year to finish. I also like Turid Rugass. And, of course, The Other End of the Leash, to me, is in a class of its own. It truly changed the way I think about dogs and put me on the road to dog enlightenment. Thanks, Trisha!
Otherwise, the older I get, the more I enjoy the “fun” mysteries. I just finished Stephen King’s new one coming out next month (I too get books early at my job), The Mercedes Killer, which was enjoyable. It even has a lovable Irish Setter in it. I also finally read Dog On It which I liked much more than I thought I would. I stay away from any books where the dog dies. I’ve never read Marley for that reason. Sometimes I think I’m the only dog lover who hasn’t.
Christina says
I do so much reading and writing in my work, I don’t read that much for pleasure anymore, but my husband gave me “Decoding your Dog” for Mother’s Day. (He knows me too well – if I do read, it’s good non-fiction about dogs!) The information was not new to me, but I think it’s a good resource to recommend to pet dog owners. It is comprehensive and well-written, and does a good job of dispelling common myths – with the caveat you pointed out in your review, that they over-emphasize “veterinary behaviorists.” (I did note that near the end they admitted that other professionals can have the credentials to help with behavior problems, too.) It’s a good, sturdy, basic reference book.
Vicky in Boise says
Books are one of life’s greatest pleasures! I am almost done with Denise Fenzi’s new book dog Sports Skills, Book 1, Developing Engagement and Relationship. It has been a great read and has application for dog owners of all sorts from those looking to build a better relationship with their pet to those involved in competition. I am also reading Monuments Men and enjoying that little known story of WWII.
PD says
Just started Alexandra Horowitz’s “On Looking: A Walker’s Guide to the Art of Observation.” I have to think that all her dog walking observations also informed this book, which so far seems to be about paying attention to that which we normally fail to notice–a nice reminder that life is all around us.
Kelly Schlesinger says
I just finished enjoying Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer. I was sorry to get to the last page. It has no dogs in it, but is a lovely story about good things happening when people open themselves up to new circumstances – at any age. It starts a little slowly, but is worth the wait.
Laura says
Ah… books.
I love to read, and fortunately married a guy who loves to read, and read to me. We just recently finished the latest book in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Kunz. It was… ok, better than the book before it, but not great. the first book in that series is still my husbands favorite and the third, Brother Odd, is mine. We also recently read the latest book in Jim Bucher’s The Dresden Files series, Cold days. Skin Game is out next week Dresden fans, can’t wait! the books are laugh out loud funny at certain points and the characters are wonderfully developed. On the non-fiction front, I’ve got to check out those bill Brison books. I took classes in Linguistics in college and he was among our required reading and was thoroughly enjoyable. I love etomology and words and know I will love those. Also, looks like it’s time for me to pick up another dog book, with In Dogs We Trust. i’m so looking forward to more books because I just finished a huge project at work and am hoping the summer will slow down. thanks for the good suggestions everyone. 🙂
Gary says
Two more votes for Dog Food Logic and Inside of a Dog. I’m about half way through both. So far I like that chase starts her book with several chapters on how science works and how science can help rescue us from the cognitive traps we all suffer. As a scientist I think this stuff is really important (which is a good example of Confirmation Bias!). In Horowitz’s book a point she makes that I had never thought of before is that one reason we bond to dogs so easily is because they live in the same time frame/pace as humans. That is, our communications with them occur at the same speed as they do with humans.
Also just finished a Lee Child/Jack Reacher thriller binge reading session during a couple of long flights.
Jane says
Just finished “Terms of Enlistment” & “Lines of Departure” by Marko Kloos. In the space opera genre & I enjoyed them; well-paced, some character development as well as some science. In the middle of Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle–massive work–completely fascinating, incredible character development, depth, reach, grandeur, scheming & intrigue. Occurring in the 1600’s, it covers Leibnitz & Newton, banking, coinage, & war, slavery & court intrigue. It’s so huge, I take it in chunks; thankfully it’s a multi-volume set, so natural breaks. If you’re not up to such an epic story, I can heartily recommend Stephenson’s other works: “Snow Crash”, a dystopian cyperpunk story; “Anathem”, a far-future otherworld pure sci fi & his application of both hard science & projected trends in his books is thrilling. The man is an amazing author.
Biggest surprise of the summer was “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce. It was a sale book on Audible, so I don’t know if it reads as well as it listens. I wasn’t expecting much–it was on sale, right?–but this was one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve ever listened to. I don’t generally seek heartwarming out because I find most books trite & predictable, w/a hearty dose of unbelievable & ridiculous thrown in. And tho’ there’s definitely some unbelievable in “Harold Fry”, one is willing to suspend disbelief because there is so much that is utterly believable because I’ve known such people. Best book I’ve read in a long time.
Also read “Hangman’s Daughter” because it got such good reviews as a mystery, but I don’t care for sick-twisted antagonists that enjoy torturing people. In fact, there are so many psychos in ‘mystery’ novels anymore, I’m beginning to think it’s a cheap gimmick to cover mediocre writing & pull in buyers of snuff porn. So I won’t be reading another.
Now I’m on to “The Atopia Chronicles” by Matthew Mather. I haven’t read far enough to form an opinion.
Besides my fiction reading, I’ve been pouring over the two Control Unleashed books by Leslie McDevitt, & “Don’t Shoot the Dog” is patiently waiting on my nightstand.
Heidi Meinzer says
This book just came out and I haven’t read it yet, but it’s next on my list: David Grimm’s Citizen Canine: Our Revolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs, which explores the evolving legal status of our companions.
LaSush says
Any of Susan Wilson’s books are great dog love stories
One Good Dog/A Man of His Own/ The Dog Who Danced
Also totally enjoyed reading about an elephant with Diane Hammond’s
Hannah’s Dream
Robin says
Two great reads:
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl [Stacey O’Brien]. Who would ever think that an owl could love or be loved? Everyone should read this one. It was great!
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand the author of Sea Biscuit. Not about animals but about survival during World War II…..this truly was the greatest generation.