New read

Last week a staff member at Juvenile Hall left this book for me in the volunteer mailbox. She had taken the time to wrap it in gold paper with a matching bow and included a thank you note for the time I spend with the kids.

First, I was surprised and pleased. It's always nice to be appreciated.

Then I read the book, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, by Garth Stein. Because I always come to Juvenile Hall with a dog in tow, usually either Demi or Brix, the staffer believed I would enjoy reading it. Oh, was she correct! I read as much as I could each day, turning pages and hoping I could read a little longer. As I got further into the novel, it got better and better and better.

I'm trying to be careful. I don't want to say too much or give it all away. But for starters, every novel has a perspective. In this case, the narrator is a dog! It's a dog who believes that in his next life he will return as a human, something he looks forward to. The background is family life and racing cars. There, I've said enough. Just read it!