"The Art of Racing in the Rain"

This week, I'm going to plug a book because I've read so many great ones over the past year.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is my most recent read.  I simply could not put this book down!  What attracted me to it in the bookstore was the picture of a golden retriever on the front (and the comments from other authors on the back), but the book isn't about a golden retriever at all.  Enzo (the dog) is actually a mix of some sort (if I remember correctly) and the story is told through his point of view, which is hilarious!  This dog is so loyal and insightful that from the first few pages, I felt like I knew him personally.  It is brilliantly written and from beginning to end evokes emotion after emotion from its readers.  I laughed out loud, I cried, I got angry, I was happy... and then I laughed and cried some more.  Enzo takes you through his life, and in turn, his owner's life during those years and all the trials that come along with.  You're never left hanging, however, as seemingly every chapter includes a little life lesson... from the dog, of course.  That's where I learn most of my life lessons, don't you?