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The Art of Racing in the Rain
The Art of Racing in the Rain | Garth Stein
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zo, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zo at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
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julieclair
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It has been years since I read this book, but I remember loving it.

#SpringSkies Animal POV #LitsyLove @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs My choice too #greatminds 8mo
forestandcrow I cried over this book and movie. The dogs purpose is a great series too. 8mo
julieclair @Eggs 🤓😀 8mo
julieclair @forestandcrow I haven‘t seen the movie, but I shed some tears over the book, too. 8mo
34 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheBookgeekFrau
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#ItTakesAllKinds #WithRain

One of the books challenged in my school district as inappropriate for the high school library due to sexual content 🙄🙄

Eggs Enjoyed this one 🐶💙☔️ 8mo
lil1inblue Seriously??? They'll ban anything these days. 😓 8mo
TheBookgeekFrau @lil1inblue I kid you not. The claim is that it contains sexual content that doesn't contribute to the story. I'm pretty sure the parents challenging this believe their kids still think babies are brought by storks. 8mo
See All 9 Comments
dabbe Can I roll my 👀 any farther back in my head? This is a lovely book! #argh 8mo
TheBookgeekFrau @dabbe The eye rolls are real!! 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Crazy ass people in the world 8mo
dabbe @TheBookgeekFrau As @TheBookHippie would say, #oytothevey 😵‍💫 8mo
TheBookgeekFrau @dabbe EXACTLY! 🫣 8mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘ve heard this one is great! 8mo
TheBookgeekFrau @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Omg, it is!! 💞💞 8mo
38 likes9 comments
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Gaillovestoread
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At Calgary airport - starting this book that I have been meaning to read for years!

LeahBergen Too “dog sad” for me. 😆 1y
6 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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dabbe I almost picked this one. LOVE! 💙🖤🩵 1y
Eggs It‘s a good book! 1y
62 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TheBookgeekFrau
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Eggs Great book👏🏻👏🏻 1y
dabbe LOVED this book! 💙🖤🩵 1y
TheBookgeekFrau @dabbe Me too!! 💕 1y
33 likes3 comments
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rwmg
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Mehso-so

A dog who is the beloved pet of an aspiring racing car driver looks back over his life.

I have to admit that even after watching some of the races referred to on YouTube, most of the racing metaphors went way over my head. It was a quick read, but felt emotionally manipulative. For example, it was blindingly obvious that I should not read the last 1/3 over my lunchtime Starbucks. Teetering between a So-So and a Pan

rockpools Always interesting to hear a different viewpoint. I get quite grumpy with ‘emotionally manipulative‘ - I might cross it off the tbr. Thanks! 2y
rwmg @rockpools In all fairness I should point out that it did not strike the other members of my book club that way 2y
21 likes2 comments
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rwmg
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19 likes1 stack add
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TheSpineView
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Eggs Great choice 🧡🐕🖤 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙📚🙌🏻 2y
60 likes2 comments
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Bigwig
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Pickpick

Shout out to @unfortunately.ashley for the gift of this 2008 novel (I‘m probably the last person on the planet to read it). The narrator, a dog named Enzo, provides insightful/hilarious/tragic commentary on the lives of the young family he lives with. I know…a dog book. But Enzo, an intelligent, big-hearted character with aspirations and a moral code, has a refreshingly precise voice and his way of seeing the world is stripped of human artifice.

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Deblovestoread
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#manicmonday #LetterA

📚 Tagged
🖋 Margaret Atwood
📺 Ally McBeal
🎤 Airborne Toxic Event
🎼 All Things in Time (Toad the Wet Sprocket)

Glad to see this back @CBee @JoScho miss you and hope you are well!

Want to join the fun @julieclair @Avander @MaleficentBookDragon ?

CBee Thanks for playing 😊😊 2y
AmyG Ugh that book! I ugly cried. 2y
38 likes2 comments
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
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Ok, a quick stop at Beaufort, the town I stayed in for a 3 day artists retreat until the morning of my 50th birthday, where I stopped for a coffee on the way home, caught up on messages not recieved due to lack of reception up there and a browse through an op shop..... a must do, purchased something even if there wasn't anything too good on the shelves....
The top 2 were published the year i was born I realised when I got home!

Ruthiella Happy Birthday! 🥳🥳🥳 2y
44 likes2 comments
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Booknerd222
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27 likes1 stack add
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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

A friend passed this book to me after her son had read it for a class a few years ago. Thanks to #booked2022 I finally read it. Entertaining concept of using the dog, Enzo, as the narrator. Denny, the main character,is a semi professional race car driver,but is waiting for his “big chance”. He falls in love, marries,and becomes a father. Then tragedy strikes. Themes: child custody, justice,the bond between an animal and human. #weathertermintitle

Cinfhen Ahhhh!! Great choice!! I‘ve always meant to read this book / I‘ve heard it‘s amazing 🤩 3y
66 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DivineDiana
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This book was loaned to me a few years ago. When I realized that it can work for a challenge prompt, I decided the time is now! Combining with audio. #readingmyshelveschallenge

55 likes2 stack adds
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calmaxtra
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Pickpick

4/52: The Art of Racing in the Rain

First book of 2022 to make me bawl my eyes out. This story drew me in and let me see life through a dogs eyes. It was captivating. Loved it.

#Litsy #Fiction #Dog #ReadingChallenge

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Gingerbikerchick
Pickpick

By the last few chapters I couldn‘t put it down and there were lots of tears. If you like animals and our human relationships with them, then this will touch your heart.

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ShelbyA7
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Pickpick

Book #55: For my dog Archie‘s 3rd birthday, I wanted to read a dog book. This one is completely from the POV of the dog, Enzo, which I loved that. It will have you thinking about your dog‘s mortality and soul, along with how they are always there for you through good times and bad as you are there for them. I thought Enzo‘s final scene was written beautifully, definitely had me tearing up. This made me want to read more dog books. Here‘s my dog 🐾

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triplem80
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Pickpick

I know I'm super late to the party, but I finally read this after having it on my bookshelf for YEARS. And, wow, I really loved it! I'm not an animal person in general (or a dog person specifically), but this book really tugged at my heart strings, and made me want to get a pet of my own. (I won't though, for reasons.)

And this was my August #doublespin pick, so yay for knocking if off that list!

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TK-421
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“The true hero is flawed. The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles--preferably of his own making--in order to triumph. A hero without a flaw is of no interest to an audience or to the universe, which, after all, is based on conflict and opposition, the irresistible force meeting the unmovable #object.” #QuotsyJul21

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persephone1408
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#curiouscovers
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@Eggs
Day 29: pets
I picked The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein & Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo 🐕

Eggs Well played👏🏻📚🐕 3y
15 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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gfox
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Pickpick

It took me awhile to really get into this book; but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I wish all dogs could talk. I imagine they would think and say much of the same stuff in the book. This is a great, easy read and I'm so glad I didn't bail before it got good.

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gfox
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There's a saying that goes "Be the person your dog thinks you are". I immediately thought of that quote when I read this. This is how we should all be, it's what I strive to be and yes....I think this is how our dogs see us, even when don't see it in ourselves.

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gfox
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"To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live" .....

This 1 paragraph resonated with me on so many levels. I truly do want to live my life this way

CaffeineAndCandy 💜💜💜 4y
6 likes1 comment
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gfox
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I can't just read a informational book. I have to read one for fun too....

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Traci1
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#12booksof2020 - Day 2
@Andrew65

This was another 5 star book for me. My review from earlier this year: Oh, this book. It was just so unexpectedly amazing. It made me laugh. It made me angry. It made me hopeful. And boy did it make me cry. Enzo may not have had thumbs, but he was a better person than most people I know.

azulaco I cried so much! I like re-reading books, but I don‘t think I can bear to re-read this one. 4y
LeafingThroughLife I loved this one, too. Such a great book! 4y
Traci1 @azulaco I am glad I read this one, but I'm with you. I don't think I will re-read it. 4y
See All 7 Comments
Andrew65 Good choice. Interesting how often books that make us cry are favourites! 4y
Oryx I love this. And Enzo ❤️❤️ 4y
dariazeoli I keep circling this one, wanting to read it but not wanting to cry! It‘s also why I haven‘t watched the movie adaption yet. 4y
Traci1 @dariazeoli I struggled with the decision to read it. I'm not one who goes into books with dogs lightly. I still haven't watched the movie, and I'm not sure I will. 4y
59 likes1 stack add7 comments
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ldemass
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Pickpick

"There is no dishonor in losing the race. There's only dishonor in not racing because you're afraid to lose."
-Enzo

Absolutely loved this emotionally charged book.

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TheSpineView
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OriginalCyn620 Love this book! 4y
SheReadsAndWrites One of my all time favorites. ❤️ 4y
55 likes3 comments
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EadieB
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Day 21 - #Rain #ForeverNovember
#TheArtOfRacingIntheRain #GarthStein

Meet the dog who will show the world how to be human!

OriginalCyn620 LOVE this book! 🐶❤️ 4y
EadieB @OriginalCyn620 I loved it too! 4y
BethM I ugly cried so hard my husband was worried about me. 4y
EadieB @BethM I can understand that! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘ve got to read this one!! 4y
44 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Freespirit
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Thank you for the tag @Eggs ❤️
🐶 Enzo the wonderful dog from The Art of Racing in the Rain ( great book)
❄️❄️ Ha ha .. definitely no snow where I live. It is a sub tropical coastal town 🌞🌊🌦☀️
@TheSpineView
Join in if you‘d like @KatrinaRose @Junebug17 @Arvena @Buechersuechtling 😊

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 4y
Buechersuechtling Thank you for thinking of me 🤗 but I already participated. In case you wanna peek: https://bit.ly/2UE4P4P. 4y
Freespirit Thanks @Buechersuechtling I hope you get some snow this Christmas❄️ 4y
42 likes3 comments
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Texreader
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What a great article for lots of reasons: to help us introduce non-reading friends to reading, to help us learn to love a New genre, to just finding a list of well-loved books including the tagged book already on my tbr.

https://mindjoggle.com/best-books-start-reading-habit/

GingerAntics This one is on my list, too. 4y
55 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Corar
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Mehso-so

I really liked the dog‘s voice and point of view, but the story was too sad for my tastes.

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Scochrane26
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Doing both Thursday questions today.
1. Not sure if we will have trick-or-treating ☹️
2. I turned in my ballot today! I‘m taking a few days off next week, & I finally get to travel (to Asheville)! My neighbor is putting up his Halloween inflatables—his dragon plus 2 new ones! I‘ll take a pic later.
#thankfulthursday @Cosmos_Moon

Cosmos_Moon_River Yay for early voting! Ours starts in a couple weeks and I‘ll be there! 4y
Scochrane26 I did the absentee ballot, but we are having early in-person voting starting on the 13th. A lot of people I know did absentee. 4y
21 likes2 comments
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Traci1
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#ThankfulThursday
1. My oldest kid is 22. Youngest is 5. This will be the first year in decades that we won't be trick or treating. My daughter and I will be throwing Henry his own Halloween carnival. With games, treats, crafts, and hopefully enough fun that he won't be disappointed.
2. A husband who encourages my interests. I mentioned canceling owlcrate and starting BOTM, and his response was "Just do both." ❤

@Cosmos_Moon
@so1quilt

Cosmos_Moon_River That is such a sweet idea to stay in the spirit! Love # 2 🎃 4y
25 likes1 comment
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Traci1
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September Wrap-up:
🔹️20 books finished (13 off my shelves)
🔹️11 physical books
🔹️9 audios
🔹️Best: The Art of Racing in the Rain and Witchy
🔹️Worst: Camp Austen

TheNeverendingTBR Supernatural ❤ 4y
Traci1 @TheNeverendingTBR I love the Supernatural books. I don't think they're making any more, which stinks because I've read them all except for a couple. I'm thinking when I run out I may have to resort to fan fiction to get my Winchester fix. 👻 4y
TheNeverendingTBR @Traci1 I have the first book but I've yet to read it, I'm a huge fan of the series though! ❤ 4y
49 likes3 comments
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Traci1
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enzo may not have thumbs, but he is a better person than most people I know. This one will be with me a while, I think. 😭

GingerAntics This sounds so sweet! 4y
Traci1 @GingerAntics it is sweet, and funny, and sad, and hopeful. And I think Enzo is my favorite narrator of any book. 4y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Yanya
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Pickpick

I love the way this is written! So emotional! I now look at dogs in an entirely different way and want to start a conversation with them!

5 likes1 stack add
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Rallydally
Pickpick

Amazing. So sad but just perfection.

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Laughterhp
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#3Books that made me cry

Me Before You - I can‘t remember if I cried while watching the movie or reading the book. I know one of the formats made me cry.

The Art of Racing in the Rain - I remember reading this one on the couch and just starting balling my eyes out and my husband had no idea what was going on 😂

AmyG Yep. I weeped at the end of Racing in the Rain. (edited) 4y
Deblovestoread All of these made me cry my heart out...so good but so sad. 😭 4y
OriginalCyn620 Yep, all these made me cry too. 😭 4y
49 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Jovy
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Pickpick

This was a thoughtful, delightful read - with Enzo the dog reminding us to never give up, savor the moment. Let go of what brings you down and enjoy life. The last bit will have you crying, even if you‘re not a dog lover.

#ReadWithMrBook #NarratedByAnimal

Caroline2 I just bought this book the other day. Good to know it‘s a good read. 👍 4y
Jovy @caroline2 Hope you enjoy it!! 4y
35 likes1 stack add2 comments
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JessClark78
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Thanks for the tag @Eggs

1. Paint It, Black - The Rolling Stones

2. White Sage incense

#ThankfulThursday

Eggs ❤️ the good old Stones❤️ 4y
37 likes1 comment
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Tracyantoon
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Pickpick

I asked my kids to pick mommy‘s next book to read off the shelf and of course they picked the one with the cute doggie on the cover (how did I not see that coming?). I didn‘t like this as much as I was hoping I would though. The ending got me right in the feels though. So it‘s a pick.

TerriGreen This is one of my favorite books! I read it many years ago and I still remember certain quotes. Love that dog! I haven‘t seen the movie yet. 4y
40 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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majorc
Mehso-so

For me it was ok. Maybe it was the long descriptions about races and cars.. I don't know. I think I liked the movie better 😏

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Enzo, the family dog, tells the story of his human family 🐶🐾

#Bookhunt
#scavengerSaturday

ShyBookOwl Good one. This has been on my husband's physical tbr for years 😂 I haven't read it 5y
66 likes1 comment
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maleahrae
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Enzo is not the same breed as my Gemma, but this was emotional to read as a dog owner! As a human. The beginning of the book gave a big indication as to what was coming but I still cried so much! I loved how smart Enzo was. I think in any other book I've read that was narrated by an animal, the animal is limited or naive. My kids want to watch the movie now. I hope Enzo is as endearing on film. Have you seen it?

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I have this book on my shelf but I'm not ready to have my heart ripped out just yet. 5y
47 likes1 comment
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LibrarianChels
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OriginalCyn620
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I LOVED this book! 😭🌧
#rain #bloomingbibliophiles

BethM Omg this book tore me apart! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I was about to post this book too! 5y
AmyG I weeped at the end. (edited) 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘ve got to read it!! 5y
64 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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wanderinglynn
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#acrossapril April 5: rain

I almost got stumped by today‘s prompt as this book was hiding behind some decor.

TheSpineView I see someone wanted to be in the pic too. 💜🐾 5y
Chrissyreadit So cute! And everything matches! 5y
wanderinglynn @TheSpineView someone wants me to pay attention to him. As if he‘s been ignored all day. 😂 5y
See All 7 Comments
Eggs He has the ‘poor me‘ look 👀❤️ Great choice and photo! 5y
wanderinglynn @Eggs yes, he‘s very pitiful. He only got 4 walks today and 2 car rides. 😂 5y
Leftcoastzen He‘s always adorable! 5y
94 likes1 stack add7 comments
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JaneyWaneyB
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Pickpick

Thanks for the tag @UwannaPublishme #ISpy with my little eye a book with a cute animal on the cover. I love this book, it made me smile and it made me sob.

For anyone who fancies playing #ISpy this Sunday evening tag me in books with a landscape on the cover

#BeautifulCovers #FavouriteRead #Books

MemoirsForMe Awww! Just seeing that pooch‘s face makes me smile. Hope you‘re doing well and staying safe. 🤗❤️ 5y
JaneyWaneyB @UwannaPublishme all well and safe here in the UK. Hope you are well and safe 😊💖 5y
36 likes2 comments
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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nSbhsN4Zs8

Enjoy!

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My.heart.is.lit
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I think by the end of this I‘ll be crying my eyes out in the dog bed with my pups 😩🐾🤷‍♀️