For The Love of Animals...

Animals are of great importance to us, especially here in the South. We use them for food, to help us hunt, to assist those with disabilities, and, most importantly, to provide company and comfort when we need them. Animals are seen as part of the family. This is why I am highlighting some of our new non-fiction titles that center around animals of all kinds--cats and dogs, domestic and wild.

The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress tells the story of how journalist Kress found a twelve-week-old wheaten terrier in a pet shop and didn't think twice about bringing her home and naming her Izzy. After all, the facility was USDA-licensed so Izzy couldn't possibly be a puppy mill dog, right? When Kress began her journey of becoming a mother, she began to wonder about Izzy's mom and so begins an eye-opening journey through the world of dog livestock auctions, puppy mills, and internet sales sites to uncover the truth about the so-called "pure bred" puppies. My only problem with this book is that there are no photos to illustrate the authors important discoveries and show the consumer what it is really like in the world of factory-farmed puppies.

If you decide you want a pure-bred puppy, choose a reputable breeder who raises the pups in their own home. In order to choose the dog right for you and your family, check-out The Good, the Bad, and the Furry by Sam Stall. Like the title suggests, the author gives it to you straight in this book of dog breeds. Under each breed, you will find the standard for height, weight, coat, and intelligence as well as where and with what kind of person this dog thrives. You will also find out about the origin of the breed, the trademark traits, any hassles in training or behavior, and any medical problems that plague the particular breed. You are also given a kind of cross reference for similar breeds you may want to check into. My favorite section under each breed, however, is entitled "If someone broke into my house, this dog would..." These are the most hilarious and sometimes painfully honest observations of these dogs. For instance, we learn that the dalmatian is a wonderful watchdog, he/she will "Wake the dead with its furious barking, then open up a can of four-alarm whoopass" on anyone who breaks into your house.

The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th & 19th Centuries is a small tome by Mimi Matthews. Divided into sections according to type of animal--dog, cat, horse, etc.--this book tells little snippets about various famous figures and the animals that played an important role in their lives. You can learn about the titular pug who gave the Emperor of France a nip, Alexander Pope's devoted Great Dane, and even about the Bloodhounds hired to hunt Jack the Ripper. If nothing else, this book is totally worth checking out just for the stunningly beautiful color portraits of the animals.

Dr. Carin Bondar shows us that the trials, tribulations, and victories of motherhood are not exclusive to homo sapiens in her book Wild Moms: Motherhood in the Animal Kingdom. Breaking motherhood into its various stages, Bondar discusses the diversity of development, cooperative and communal child rearing, brood parasitism, pregnancy, birth, weaning, and all the problems that come with these stages and how various species handle them. One of her chapters also highlights that other animal species suffer from depression and abuse just as humans do. This book is a good look at mothering across many species and it is informative and easy for the lay person to understand.

More Large Type Non-Fiction

 

  "Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself" is by Julie Barton. Julie Barton was twenty-two when she collapsed on her Manhattan kitchen floor. She was only one year out of college, but she was severely depressed. After her mother received an incoherent phone call from her daughter, she raced from Ohio to New York to bring her daughter home. Psychiatrists, therapists, and family all tried to intervene, but nothing seemed to be able to bring Julie out of her darkness. Then, one day, Julie decided to do one hopeful thing: adopt a Golden Retriever puppy that she named Bunker. She tells the story of how depression overwhelmed her, the slow path to recovery that she had to walk, and the astonishing way that animals can heal both broken hearts and minds.

     "Go Big or Go Home: the Journey Toward the Dream" is by Scotty McCreery with Travis Thrasher. When the sixteen-year-old from Garner, North Carolina entered the singing competition, he had no ideas what doors it might open for him. Scotty McCreery was a kid with country songs in his soul and a voice to sing them like they should be sung. He dared to compete on "American Idol" at a young age and he won fans in the U.S. and overseas. This book tells his story from his roots in North Carolina to his victory on America's most popular singing competition and the launch of the music career he had always dreamed about.

     "What I Told My Daughter: Lessons from Leaders on Raising the Next Generation of Empowered Women" is edited by Nina Tassler with Cynthia Littleton. This series of essays from a powerful and diverse group of women explores the best advice they have given their daughters either by examples, through their own lives, or in character-building, teachable moments between parent and child. A popular entertainer and former child star urges her daughter to walk in her own truth, to not break glass ceilings if she desires to nurture a family as a stay-at-home mom, and not to abandon a career if that is her calling. One of the country's few female police chiefs teaches her daughter what it means to be courageous, how to respond to danger, and most importantly, how not to let fear stop her from experiencing all that life has to offer. An Emmy and Tony award winning actress who teaches her daughter the importance of getting back on the horse even after he has thrown you face-first into the mud. From Madeleine Albright and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Dr. Susan Love and Whoopi Goldberg, these essays are sure to inspire mothers and daughters alike.

New Titles for Those in the Crafty Corner

Those of you who enjoy fiber-craft (i.e. sewing, knitting, crochet) will enjoy three of our newest titles on the subject.

     First up for all of you who enjoy sewing and want to freshen your home or give a room a new look, we have Easy to Make! Curtains & Blinds by C & B Crafts. This book is broken down in easy-to-read sections that allow even beginners to get in on the decorating fun. In the "Getting Started" chapter, you will learn about the different types of windows, how to choose the right window treatment, what sort of fixtures you will need, what kind of fabrics work well, and how to work with patterns and textured fabrics. Next, you'll learn how to measure for your curtains, calculate how much fabric your project will take, and learn about lined, interlined, unlined curtains, and sheers. The third chapter discusses how to create the perfect blinds for your windows. You'll learn how to measure for your blinds, calculate fabric quantity, and see the difference between Roman, soft pleat, and roller blinds. The final two chapters discuss the finishing touches like trims, embellishments, and tiebacks as well as the equipment and techniques you will need to create your new looks. This book includes color photos and illustrations as well as a glossary of terms for your convenience.

     Next, we have Sew Brilliant Bags by Debbie Shore. This book contains 12 beautiful projects for sewing your own bags, purses, and totes. The easy-to-use instructions are accompanied by step-by-step photography to make your projects a breeze. All of the techniques are fully discussed and the projects are made using a basic sewing machine. The author also teaches you how to customize your projects to suit your own tastes as well as how to design and make your own creations.

     Finally, we have a knitting-project book that features projects that are a bit more whimsical. Woolly Woofers is by Debbie Bliss and contains more than twenty knitwear projects for your dog. There are sweaters for the winter and costumes for the holidays. Both beginner friendly projects and advanced skilled outfits adorn these pages. There is a chic Breton striped top and beret; a tweed cape and matching deerstalker that takes its cue from Sherlock Holmes; a black and white sweater inspired by the Jolly Roger; and a festive Santa Paws costume. All of these projects include the step-by-step instructions and knitting pattern for your convenience.

    Come and check out these titles today!

Cats and Dogs

Here at the library, we love our pets! I grew up in the country and I have owned pets most of my life, so when two new pet books came across my desk, I just had to share.

     The first is a small book with a lot of good ideas for getting your cat to like you. "Yes," it says, "It is possible!" The book is called 97 Ways to Make a Cat Like You and it is written by Carol Kaufman. If you are in a one-sided relationship with your cat (let's be honest, most cat owners are) then this may be the book you need to check-out the next time you are in the library.These 97 inspired, sometimes silly, but absolutely fun-for-you-and-kitty tricks and games will endear you to your cat.

These tips and tricks are based on scientific understanding of cat behavior. For instance, tip #43 suggests you "rack 'em up" by putting pennies in a plastic Easter egg and let your cat have at it. You'll also learn the "Head Butt," the "Hide and Seek," and the useful "Cat Burrito." Almost all of these tips are simple, practical, and very inexpensive ways to play with and connect with your cat.

     The second book we have is called The Complete Dog Breed Book and it is published by DK books. This encyclopedia provides photographic profiles on more than 420 of the world's best-loved dogs. Each dog's profile gives vital statistics such as height range, weight range, average life span, coat colors, grooming needs, and trainability. There are also temperament ratings and descriptions of the breed's origin so that you can best choose the type of dog for you and your family. Do you want an alert watchdog who will be wary of strangers, but calm and dedicated to your household? Then, why not choose a Catahoula Leopard Dog? Want a small, but energetic dog that is also smart and responds well to obedience training? Well, look no further than the miniature schnauzer. This cheerful, friendly dog is good with the whole family.

     Granted, every dog has its individual personality and could use firm, consistent training to help with family socialization and every cat has its own idea about who rules the roost. But, the benefits of owning a pet have been well documented: lower blood pressure, more exercise, ease of depression symptoms, and greater self-esteem. Love your pets and remember; adoption is best, but always choose your pet on whether or not it will fit with your lifestyle and family dynamic, not on how it looks or its breed.

Could You Survive Henry?

Surviving Henry: Adventures in Loving a Canine Catastrophe is an account of Erin Taylor Young's life with an obstinate boxer named Henry. Fueled by fond memories of a boxer she had as a child, Erin Taylor Young sets out to find a boxer puppy for her family. One that could provide laughs and cuddles as well as long walks and wagging tails. What she gets is Henry--who Erin describes as suffering from "Supreme Dictator of the Universe Syndrome." She can't figure out how God chose to give her such and aloof and stubborn creature to be a part of her family. She doesn't understand why Henry doesn't seem to care if he is with the members of the family or not. The only time he seems to show any interest is when she begins her routine to leave the house, then Henry decides that he can't leave her side. Erin knows this is only because he loves riding in the car; not because he likes being with her. But, oh, that face when she closes the door behind her; it's enough to melt her heart, so Henry goes with her to the video store, the gas station, and anywhere else that is even slightly appropriate to take him along.
On their first day at the dog park, Erin keeps Henry outside the fence on his leash to see how he will react to the other dogs. As each new dog passes by the fence to sniff at him, Henry leaps in the air with excited anticipation; as if to say, "I wanna play! Oh please, please let me play!" Once inside the fence and off his leash, Henry quickly makes friends with the dog park set and follows a couple of his new friends--retrievers--into the small pond for water-loving dogs. There is only one problem, Henry doesn't know how to swim and he panics. Poor Erin thinks she is going to have to jump in after her awkward boxer, but he manages to paddle his way back to the shore.
Henry seems to be prone to misadventures and near death scenarios and his poor owner can only hang on for dear life. Take, for instance, their adventures at Erin's parents' lake house. On their first visit with Henry, he falls off the dock and poor Erin plunges in the freezing water to rescue him. It just so happens that every time they visit Henry seems to fall off the dock. Unless, of course, he is wearing the expensive doggie life jacket that they bought him. Once, they decided to take Henry on the Pontoon with them. He did okay, although he did pace around the decking and had to have a petting from everyone on the boat, not to mention he had to sniff the air on all four sides. When Henry moved to the front of the pontoon, he stuck his nose through the gate, but it isn't too long before he spots a flock of ducks up ahead. Erin's son manages to catch Henry's leg before the sixty-pound dog managed to get through the gate and into the water--and probably become fish food after meeting the boat's propeller.
Erin recounts many such near-misses and disasters that seem to be drawn to Henry. He vandalizes his obedience school, crashes through a window, and tears up countless toys. Erin is convinced that Henry lives to torment her. The longer she has Henry, though, the more she comes to realize that he has been put into her life to teach her a new meaning to the concept of unconditional love.
This book is a quick, funny, and poignant read. Henry's adventures can be related to by anyone who has ever been the owner of a stubborn pet. Henry's quirkiness is endearing and the lessons he teaches his family are ones that every family should learn. If you are going to love one another, then you must do so unconditionally.

A view of the Delta and the dogs that live there.

An interesting book we've added to our collection recently is Delta Dogs - a series of photographs by Maude Schuyler Clay, which includes an introduction by Brad Watson and an essay by Beth Ann Fennelly.

But the stars are the combination of the dogs and their surroundings. All the photographs are in sepia tones, showing dogs of nearly every size and shape in fields, by the side of the road, playing in the water and various other doggie activities.  Each of the photographs has a small notation about where the image came from, some very general like 'Field Dogs, Mississippi Delta' and some very specific as 'Dog under the Burrus House, near Benoit'.

The photographer was born in Greenwood, Mississippi and her works are part of the collections of several museums including the Museum of Modern Art.

One Big Happy Family by Lisa Rogak is a feel-good book about animals that have fostered infant animal outside of their own species.  Most of the foster parents featured are dogs that have helped raise everything from a kangaroo joey to a pygmy hippo, but other animal surrogate parents get in on the act as well such as a male orangutan helping with a pair of frisky lion cubs.  In all, fifty stories of inter-species relationships are shared along with photos of the mixed families.  One of the most fascinating pairings shown is a wild lioness that began taking care of an antelope calf shortly after that same lioness and another had killed and eaten the calf's mother.  A quick read at under 150 pages, this is one that is likely to fascinate adults and children alike.

Follow Some Fox Tracks...

I followed a different path this past week with one of my favorite authors---instead of reading her newest novel, I listened to it instead!  Rita Mae Brown's Fox Tracks is the latest in her cozy series starring Sister Jane Arnold, Master of Foxhounds of the Jefferson Hunt in Albemarle County, Virginia. This book's action begins in New York City, where Hunt Clubs from all over the United States have gathered for their annual dinner and gala event.  Feeling celebratory, Sister Jane and her young friend (and Custus Hall graduate) Tootie run down the street a few blocks to visit a tobacco shop and purchase cigars.  After an entertaining conversation with the owner, Adolfo, Sister and Tootie are shocked when they return to the shop to retrieve Sister's cell phone and find Adolfo dead with a package of American Smokes cigarettes lying over his heart.  This murder leads to an investigation of contraband tobacco that stretches across Virginia and even through Albemarle County.  Interspersed with the tobacco plot are descriptions of hunts and events in the lives of the human, canine and horse characters.  I suggest you begin reading this series with the first book, Outfoxed. If you enjoy listening to audio books on CD, Fox Tracks is a special treasure because it is narrated by the author herself! 

Rabid for Dogs...

Are you the owner of one or more pampered pooches?  Do you believe in Halloween costumes, doggie daycare or other luxury items for your favorite canine companion?  If so, then Pamela Redmond Satran's, Rabid:  Are You Crazy About Your Dog or Just Crazy is the perfect book for you! This book is a humorous look at the United States' dog-centered society, and will help the reader laugh at his/her own behavior and the insane antics of all sorts of dog people.  The book covers 11 chapters of strange and bizarre things that people do to and with their dogs--from beauty and fashion to dogs in movies, celebrity dog IQ and what to do with your dog when he/she passes away.  My favorite part of the book is (I'm not kidding) doggie weddings!!! The pictures are cute and the book is very entertaining, but it also gives the reader a view of the often "over-the-top" emotional insanity of dog lovers.  Pamela Satran is the author of the New York Times bestselling humor book How Not to Act Old and coauthor of eight baby name books including the bestselling Beyond Jennifer & Jason.  Satran is also a columnist for Glamour and contributes frequently to the "Daily Beast," the "New York Times" and "More."  Discover more inrormation about Pamela Satran by visiting her website and pamelaredmondsatron.com.

Dogs Versus Cats

First let me say that dogs are fine, but cats are better!  Something about that drooling, rub my belly, I’ll do anything to please you attitude, just comes off as well, fake.  Cats are aloof, intelligent, and as the bumper sticker says, “take a message and get back to you.”  However lately I have read two of the cutest book about dogs.  One is part of a series and if you haven’t read them, give them a try.  They are very charming.  The other is by an author who has written other books but this is her first one on dogs.

Fashion Faux Paw by Judi McCoy stars professional dog walker Ellie Engleman and is the sixth title in this series.  When Ellie is hired for a Fashion Week event—caring for the dogs who will model outfits that match human models’—she’s more than ready to escape her world of pet-a-porter for the glitz and glamour of the fashion world.  But the glitter rubs right off when a designer drops dead of anaphylactic shock, her EpiPen useless after someone tampers with it.  The victims’ peanut allergy was as well-known as her dress designs.  With a little psychic help from the designer’s miniature Schnauzer, Ellie and her canine sidekicks are determined to sort through a coterie of backstabbing rivals and bitter enemies to find out who wanted the designer out of the competition—permanently.

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick is a hilarious and heartwarming story about bad dogs and the women who love them.   Lara Madigan has a gift:  She can help you find your soul mate—your canine soul mate, that is.  As a dog trainer with a soft spot for strays, she’s found perfect homes for sulky Shih Tzus, broken-down Border collies, and diabolical Dalmatians.  But while she’ll always make room for one more rescue mutt, she’s not sure she’s ready to commit to another human being—especially after her long-term boyfriend drops the bomb:  He’s not a dog person.  Horrified and temporarily homeless, Lara and her furry pack move in with her mother, a wealthy fashionista who forbids even a single drop of drool.  As word gets around the exclusive gated community, Lara is overwhelmed with demands for her services.  A model wants personal training for her overweight “flabrador”; an aging socialite preps her pedigreed puppy for dog show domination.  If Lara can survive the breakup, the outrageous requests of her high-maintenance clientele, and her dogs’ systematic destruction of her mother’s McMansion, she might finally find the rescue dog who rescues her in return—by leading her straight to the guy who could be her perfect match.

Saving Gracie

I read a book I could not put down! It contained suspense, horror, murder, retribution and joy. What is this must read book? The title is Saving Gracie: How One dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills by Carol Bradley. The world of puppy mills is frankly awful. The statistics listed in the book are horrifying. Dogs are bred over and over again in cages with not enough room to stand up in and are confined there with their own excrement. If injuries occur, including broken bones or the loss of a limb, they must endure with no medical help. They are useful until they can no longer breed and then they are shot, poisoned, drowned, etc. as one of the many methods used to end their lives. By 2007 the Humane Society of the United States estimated from two to four million puppy mill dogs were sold in the United States and the number of puppy mills had risen to 10,000. In some areas they are regarded as a cash crop. Gracie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was rescued from a breeder with 337 other dogs. She was so matted that she had to be completely shaved. Along with the skin infections, her ears were infected and filled with mucus. She had a case of dry eye so advanced that it had left her half blind and her teeth were almost completely decayed. She was eventually adopted but showed severe emotional problems that her owner had to work hard to overcome. Today she is a beloved pet that will always have some issues but now she is a member of a family and just not a puppy producer.

Fido Fashion

Lately, have you been thinking that Fido looks like a candidate for "What Not to Wear?" If so, then check out Dogwear by Mette Syrstad Hoydal. It has over thirty super-easy sewing projectst that offer fashionable, functional and fun gear for your four-legged friend. From vests to jackets to chokers, these are made for the nattily attired pooch. And in additon to the forward fashions, there are also directions for collapsible water bowls, doggie bags, harnesses and dog bed liners. Whether pure-bred or shelter-adopted, these styles will let your love for your furry friend shine through. See if you can resist the cute pooch on the cover of this adorable book!

Unwrap a Christmas Story

Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs is part of the Lakeshore Chronicles. Prim librarian Maureen Davenport is finally getting her chance to direct Avalon’s annual holiday pageant, and she’s determined to make it truly spectacular. But it might just require one of those Christmas miracles she’s always reading about. Former child star Eddie Haven can’t stand Christmas, but a court order from a judge has landed him right in the middle of the merry-making as Maureen’s co-director. Maureen and Eddie spar over every detail of the pageant, from casting troubled kids to Eddie’s original and distinctly untraditional holiday music. Is he trying to sabotage the performance to spite her? Or is she trying too hard to fit the show into her storybook-perfect notion of Christmas? This was a pleasant Christmas story. I read this author when she wrote historical romances and enjoyed those. This is my first modern day story by her. I think I picked this one up because the heroine is a librarian. And one thing the blurb did not mention was the fact the town library was due to close due to lack of funding. The town rich person wants his nephew to star in the pageant and for that he would establish the necessary funding. All Maureen has to do is cast the nephew, whether he is perfect for the role or not. This part hit really close to home. With the recent economic downturn, I can see a community having to decide between police, fire, or the library. And it seems that there is often someone who wants to put on a display of power and call the shots. One of best parts of this book is the fact that the denoument occurs at a fundraiser at the New York Public Library!

Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle continues the adventures of New York coffee shop owner Clair Cosi. She is looking forward to the holidays and seeing her daughter Joy, who is studying at a culinary school in Paris. She’s also hoping to spend sometime with her new boyfriend, Police Detective Mike Quinn. However as often happens in Clair’s life, her plans go awry, starting with finding the body of a friend who is a traveling Santa Claus. She soon becomes embroiled in the case vowing to find out why her friend was murdered and who did it. Joy calls and says she’s staying in Paris and Mike is assigned a cold case that promises to keep him busy the whole holiday. She decides to focus on the case and in the process is stalked and attacked. Then she hears Mike is seeing someone else. Will things ever be merry and bright? Just in the nick of time, Clair, with the usual suspects—her ex-husband, Matt; her ex-mother-in-law, Madame; and her ever faithful baristas--unravels not only the Santa Claus murder but opens doors to Mike’s cold case. With every book, this series gets better and better. I love the interplay between Clair and her daughter and the way her ex-husband keeps popping back on the scene. Her romance with Mike Quinn is developing, but the appearance of his ex-wife is a bit jarring, if true to life. Madame is still one of my favorite characters, even though she only has a minor part in this book.

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson is another pleasant Christmas read. After all—any story combining a dog and Christmas, well, enough said. Betty Kowalski isn’t looking forward to the holidays. She just can’t seem to find Christmas in her heart. Maybe it’s because her husband is gone. Maybe it’s because she’s missing her grown children. Or maybe it had something to do with her obnoxious new neighbor, who seems to be tearing his house apart and rearranging it on the lawn. But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn what Christmas is really all about. Melody Carlson is primarily a Christian writer and the cover photo of the scruffy dog looking through a window caught my fancy. While the characters are pretty standard and stereotypical, this is a short and enjoyable read if you are looking to de-stress from the holidays.

Get Seduced by Some Animal Magnetism

Many of you may be familiar with Rita Mae Brown's works. She writes several series and has written many stand-alone novels and non-fiction novels about the art of writing. The first is a popular cozy mystery series that she co-writes with her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown, starring Mary Minor Harristeen, Postmistress of Crozet, VA, and the second is a series starring octogenarian Sister Arnold, a Master of Foxhounds in her 70's. Several of the stand-alone novels hilariously describe the lives of two sisters who live in a town that straddles the Mason-Dixon line, and one is a historical fiction story about the life of Dolly Madison. Rita Mae Brown's most recent book is a biography discussing her relationship with the animals that have influenced or are currently in her life. The book, Animal Magnetism is a well-written treatise on why animals are special to Rita Mae Brown and allows the reader to get into the mind of the author. I appreciate the fact that Ms. Brown does not apologize for how she feels animals should be treated and enjoyed discovering that there is much more of Ms. Brown in her fiction books than I had previously thought. If you are an animal lover, or want to discover a little more about Rita Mae Brown, then this book is one that you will truly treasure! It made me proud to be "Southern" and hug my dogs after I finished reading it.

Dogs Rule

I have to confess that I am a dog fan--I can't help it! I like cats too, I just like dogs more. A new book crossed my desk today that I just had to read. Michael Schaffer's book One Nation Under Dog: Adventures in the New World of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog-Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food. The title may be daunting, but the subject matter inside is wonderful and the cover is very cute. Schaffer examines all of the politics behind Americas love affair with dogs and other companion animals, and how pets have moved to the center of people's lives. It's fun and factual, and a great read for someone who loves dogs. Especially fun is when Schaeffer discusses how the way we treat our pets reflects our own views on topics such as science, consumerism, politics and family. Michael Schaeffer is a former staff writer at The Philadephia Inquirer, U.S. News and World Report, and Washington City Paper, who lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Keltie Hawkins, and their daughter Eleanor. Schaeffer insists that his own pets, Murphy the Saint Bernard and Amelia the black cat are not "freakishly pampered" like many of the pets he talks about in his book!

Canine Conundrums and Cat Capers

I have been on quite a "non-fiction" reading binge lately but I could not resist the title of this new book. D. Caroline Coile, PhD & Margaret Bonham's Why Do Dogs Like Balls? More than 200 Canine Quirks, Curiosities, and Conundrums Revealed is a truly charming and interesting book. Being the "mom" of two rambunctious dogs, this book piqued my curiosity as to why dogs act the way they do. Coile and Bonham are both pet experts who detail, in this book, interesting and unusual questions that people have asked them about canines, and their answers to these questions. The book is organized in a "question and answer" format and is divided into nine sections and an index. The questions range from "Can dogs learn to read (imagine how much money that would cost you to buy books for them) to How good is a dog's sense of smell (100 million times the sense of smell of a person). The nine sections include: Dog Behavior; Canine Intelligence; The Dog's Emotions; The Canine Body; A Dog's Senses; The Sexual Dog; Dog Care; More Canine Questions and Dog Breeds. The index is especially helpful if you have a specific question you want answered and do not want to read the whole book. If you are a feline fanatic, don't be discouraged - Bonham and Coile have also published a book titled Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop? More than 200 Feline Facts, Fallacies and Foibles. The book has the same format as the canine title, and answers questions such as Can cats swim? and Is cat litter radioactive? This delightful cat book is as entertaining as the canine version and is perfect for the cat lover in you. But, take my word for it--it is hard to resist reading both of these books from cover to cover!

"Steamed" and Mysterious!

For those of you like a little romance with your mystery, I have discovered a great new "Gourmet Girl" mystery series, complete with recipes. This book has a little bit of everything, a touch of romance, a splash of humor, and a sprinkling of great characters. Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant is the first book in this series. Written by a mother-daughter team, Jessica Conant-Park has a master of social work degree from Boston College and is married to Chef William Park. Her mom is author Susan Conant, who holds a Doctorate on Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is the author of the Cat Lover's Mysteries and the Dog Lover's Mysteries and is the six-time winner of the Dog Writers Association of America's Maxwell Award. Included in the book are six pages of recipes to make a romantic dinner that one of the main characters served to the other. The star of this story, Chloe Carter is always on the quest for the perfect meal and the perfect man. Known on the Internet as the "GourmetGirl," she accepts a date with "DinnderDude" online, she discovers he is just another cheap, boring, egotistical man. When he skips out on paying for dinner because he is stabbed to death in the men's room, Chloe goes on the hunt to find his killer- especially since the prime suspect is a cute chef that she has a crush on. The investigation pushes Chloe into the gourmet restaurant scene where competition is as cutthroat as murder!

A Dog-Gone Great Mystery

I just finished reading Hounded to Death, a new mystery written by one of my favorite authors, Rita Mae Brown. A bonafide Southern writer (she resides in Afton, Virginia), Ms. Brown’s books truly reflect the social graces, culture and food that all Southerners know and love! Hounded to Death is the latest book in Rita Mae Brown’s foxhunting series starring Sister Jane Arnold, Master of Foxhounds. Sister Jane is a feisty widowed woman in her seventies who has done her share of living and is very respected by the members of her hunt club. When murders occur in her community, Sister Jane can not resist joining the investigations. As with the other books in this series, Ms. Brown gives wonderfully detailed descriptions of the day-to-day operations of a hunt club, including particulars about the foxes, hounds, horses, farm animals and the lives of the hunt club members. Readers can trust the accuracy of these details because Rita Mae Brown is also the Master of Foxhounds of a hunt club located in Afton. The animals in this series do take part in the narration; however, whenever any animal speaks, their narration is in italics and only other animals are able to understand their dialogue. The books in these series are cozies- the murders that occur are gruesome but not gory. Ms. Brown has written many stand-alone books as well as other series such as three novels about the Hunsenmeir sisters, Juts and Weezy, and the Mrs. Murphy mystery series (co-authored by her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown). If you have not read any of Ms. Brown’s books, you should definitely “treat” yourself to one of her mysteries!

A Tale of a Boy and his Dog

I just finished reading the most amazing book! It was The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski, and it has just been named the next "book" on Oprah's Book Club. If you have not read it yet, you are in for a treat! Being a dog lover, I was intrigued by the cover, which has a picture of a boy and his dog. At first glance, the book seems to be a story about a boy and his "growing up years" but it is so much more than that. The story is wrapped around a mystery, the intricacies of dog breeding, familial relationships and the sometimes painful way that boys grow up. The prose is beautiful and the descriptions of Wisconsin, the story's setting, are wonderful. If you think that the large number of pages of the book is daunting, do not fear. The book reads quickly and I bet that you become so entraced with the book you'll forget all about how long it is and will be sad when it's over. The Oprah show will have David Wroblewski on one of their shows in the next few weeks, so I encourage you to read the book before the author interview. I am sure, like me, you will have a few questions that need answering! If you enjoy books about dogs, try also reading Cormac by Sunny Brewer or Pawprints of Katrina: Pets Saved and Lessons Learned by Cathy Scott.