Raviolis For The 71st Day In A Row
You know how kids can get obsessive with things? Like eating the same sandwich day after day after day after day? (I’m looking at you, KK, with the cheese sandwich). Mom tells me that I was on a Chef Boy-R-Dee ravioli kick for a while as a toddler. My parents must have loved that one, because a toddler with garlic breath and no sense of propriety just sounds like a boatload of fun.
Anyhoo.
I keep a list of all the books I’ve read. Yes, I know that’s a little OCD of me. But it also helps me identify trends.
Guess what kind of trend I’m seeing now in my reading?
Am I being influenced by the cuteness?
That’s right. Books about dogs. In the last six weeks I’ve completed five books about dogs and I’m working on my sixth. Want to see?
1. 
I liked this book so much I wrote a whole post about it. ‘Nuff said.
2. 
Sweet, but not particularly memorable.
3. 
Very enjoyable novel. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking that dogs really have these kind of thoughts!
4. 
An easy beach read. The personalities of the different dogs was the best part of the novel. Other than that there isn’t a ton to recommend it.
5. 
I loved this one. I feel like a smarter dog owner now.
6. 
I’m still working on this one but it is GOOD. GOOD. GOOD. Another must read for dog owners.
So that’s what I’ve been up to. What are you reading? Any recommendations? It doesn’t have to fit the dog theme, promise. I can eat a cheese sandwich now and then. I don’t even like Chef Boy-R-Dee anymore.
all things juice 
On my trip, mostly looking at pictures in millions of quilt books and magazines. And I am re-reading ‘Celebration of Discipline,’ very slowly. There is a reason it is a ‘classic.’ Unbelievably encouraging and uplifting.
I hear ya about ruts. Mine are worse: I re-read the same books over & over again!
A couple of light dog-related novels I liked, and that you might also enjoy:
“Flush: A Biography,” by Virginia Woolf. A historical novel (told in autobiography form) based on the life and times of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s spaniel, Flush. http://www.amazon.com/Flush-Biography-Virginia-Woolf/dp/0156319527/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278956433&sr=1-2
“A Dog’s Life,” by Peter Mayle, author of “A Year in Provence.” Narrated by “Boy,” who becomes the Mayles’ dog in Provence.
http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Life-Peter-Mayle/dp/0679762671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278956713&sr=1-1
Don’t knock the American cheese and Miracle Whip! 😉
Mmmm… in fact, I just may go have one this afternoon… although I have kicked it into the gourmet realm by adding fresh dill weed. Ohhhhhh yeah!
(PS – Tank claims he hates American cheese… I’m going to have to take him for a DNA test now because I think perhaps he’s not really my child.)
I love that you keep track of the books you’ve read!
Right now, I am reading:
1) The wedding girl – a novel by Madeleine Wickham
2) To Kill a Mockingbird – by Harper Lee (How I did not end up reading this is beyond me but I thought the 50th anniversary was a good time to do it.
3) Mad Men and Philosophy
i’ve just finished “stasiland” by anna funder. apparently, as noted on the cover, in 2004 it won a BBC prize for non-fiction. i had no interest in it but now end up highly recommending it (as i’ve found with a lot of books given or loaned to me). it’s about several people affected by the berlin wall, of all things, and it is pretty fascinating in a disturbing and very informative way. it was eye-opening and thought-provoking not dissimilar to “stones from the river” by ursula hegi (fiction) -if you ever read that one.
I read “The Art of Racing in the Rain”. I really enjoyed it. I ended up finishing it on an airplane. I felt stupid when I started to cry (not the crying, I love a good sappy book. just the crying in public), but the lady next to me said not to worry, she had read it and cried, too.
I wish I had thought to keep track of the books I’ve read. I’m thinking it would be in the hundreds of thousands by now (yes, I’m old). I like mystery/thiller/spy fiction the most (hello, Chef Boy-ar-dee) but have been known to take a break to read what everyone else is talking about. 🙂
You guys have great suggestions. Thanks!
Thanks for the recommendations!! Gosh, how much do you love all those covers too???
It’s okay about all the dog books. I have been going to town on mom books since Charlie was born : ) Always enjoy your Goodreads reviews!