Better World Book Club: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Posted by Dana on 07.15.2009 at 9:56 am

Don’t forget to sign up for the Better World Book Club.  We pick a new book each month that you can discuss with us here on the blog or take it back to your neighborhood book club.  We even set you up with everything you need for your meeting…. a synopsis of the book, discussion questions and even a great recipe.  You can sign up by going to manage subscriptions now.

You can also catch the selections AND discuss the book here on the blog and on the new book club page.

Our Latest Pick

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein

I don’t mind a little crying over a good book if then end justifies the tears.  In this case, the ending and much of went on in the middle was predictable, but the book was ultimately worth the tears.

The story is told by Enzo the dog – who is nearly a human trapped in a dog’s body.  Frustrated by his lack of opposable thumbs and his inability to speak, he makes an interesting observer and sometimes participant to the life of race car driver Denny Swift.

I found his loyalty and love for his family to be both doglike and manlike at the same time.  The books deeper messages, couched in racing terms and dog thoughts were a bit like reading a novelization of The Secret.  But who couldn’t use a reminder not to give up and to believe “that which you manifest is before you’?

For some book club discussion questions and a tasty summer recipe, check out the new book club page and feel free to leave some comments and let me know what you thought of the book!

– Dana

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