BETWEEN THE LINES

Book Talk by Joe


'Tis the Warm and Fuzzy Season!

Some of my favorite recent releases are books that made me feel good while reading them, books that make me want to share that warm and fuzzy feeling with others.

No, I'm not talking about the flood of Christmas and holiday books that always appear this time of year. I'm talking about books that are about one of the great-est creatures with whom we are fortunate enough to share our lives - the dog!

I've been reading books about dogs for almost as long as I've been reading books. So allow me to share some of my recent discoveries.

On the top of my list is an extraordinary book written by Ann M. Martin, A Dog's Life - The Autobiography of a Stray. This is the fictional life story of Squirrel, a stray dog who must make her own way in the world, written in the first person of the dog herself. Both heartrending and hopeful, Martin tells an exquisite story with grace and insight.

On the nonfiction side of the aisle are three equally remarkable books. First is The Underdog - A Celebration of Mutts by Julia Szabo, which tells you every-thing you ever wanted to know about the most popular dog on the planet - the mixed-breed and wonderful mutt.

And, lastly (at least for the purposes of this column) are reissues of two books by Elise Lufkin, the founder of New York City's Great American Mutt Show. The books are: Found Dogs - Tales of Strays Who Landed on Their Feet, and Second Chances - More Tales of Found Dogs, both full of real-life stories and wonderful photographs of dogs, ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.

There are so many other warm and fuzzy books about dogs (and other animals), No Dogs in Heaven by Robert T. Sharp, The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell and Animals as Teachers and Healers by Susan Chernak McElroy, to name just a few.

This is a perfect time of year to honor our best friends by reading about them, both fictional and real-life stories. So tonight after dinner, sit down with a good dog book in front of your fireplace. Maybe even read it aloud to your own best friend. And if you don't have one, consider paying a visit to the Humane Society of Sedona.

Happy Holidays!

(This column was approved by Philly, the bookstore cat.)