Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Hello, my friends! Welcome to this group, thanks for coming etc. etc. Please feel free to tell me a bit about yourselves, what you're reading, what you're writing, what you think you should be reading but are really dreading, what you can't believe your friends are actually reading....you know, stuff like that!

Well, golly gee! I'm reading Raven now....Loved the Art and recommended to friends who recommended to friends and so on and so on...Thanks for great reads!

Hey Garth!
We talked last year on the telephone when you joined our book club discussion at Lake Tapps by phone, remember?.... That was a great discussion!

As I spend part of the winter in Arizona, I just returned last month to this wonderful rainy weather! :-)...tanned anyway!

Recently read books include:

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant
Highest Tide by Jim Lynch (you may know him?)
The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller
The Book Theif by Markus Zusak
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Lolita by Nabokov
The Passport by Herta Muller
Tinkers by Paul Harding
Stoner by John Williams

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who Played with Fire, and The Girl who Kicked the Hornest's Nest...all by Stieg Larsson... A TERRIFIC TRIOLOGY!

Currently reading:

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (wow!)
The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat

Maybe I can get RAVEN on the list for our book club at the lake soon?...and maybe we'll try to invite you again? That would be great!
Susanne

Susanne, that's a lot of books! I'd be happy to join your group for a discussion of Raven if you'd like. Just let me know. And you have to be flexible with timing, of course....

Garth, I must tell you how much I loved "The Art...". It touched me and I found myself crying more than one. It is one of my favorite books. Actually when I posted a summary of 2008 in my reading blog it was my favorite book of the year.
I read a lot. Now I am reading "Wench" by Dolen Perkins-valdez. My previous book was "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh". One of the best books I've read. Another book I loved this year was "Wicked", as well as "The Road", "The Accidental Tourist", "Cutting for Stone", "Blackout" (Connie Willis is one of my favorite writers), "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
Last year the book series that impressed the most was "Song of Ice and Fire" and I can't wait for the next book to come out.
I will shamelessly add that I also enjoyed the Twilight series a lot (well almost all of it, except for the last book).
I wish you luck with your next books and I hope to read more great books like "The Art of Racing in the Rain" and meet more unforgettable characters like Enzo.

Hi Garth -- My book club read ARR a couple of months ago. We all loved it. We still talk about the evil stuffed animal that taunted Enzo! Great book!

Hi Garth- I chose The Art.. as my book club book for June. My group of girls are coming over at the end of the month to discuss and I can't wait. I too cried multiple times while reading the book. This book made me appreciate my 4 year old German Shepherd so much more! Such a fantastic read. I sat down and read it in 12 hours!

Hi Garth - I absolutely loved The Art of Racing in the Rain. I've told many people about it, and I have given new copies of it as gifts to at least 5 other people. I read then ending about 5 times, because I just loved it. Fantastic book.

Other fantastic reads from the past few years - The Help by Kathryn Stockett, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen, Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen.

I've been trying to finish Atlas Shrugged...but can't get past the halfway mark...too depressing!

Great book!

Hey there! I'm a librarian-in-training who is halfway through grad school. I currently work at a public library in Greenwood, Indiana. I recently recommended The Art of Racing in the Rain to our patrons by posting my review on our blog.

I read a lot of YA fiction because I assist the young adult librarian, and I'm taking a young adult literature class this summer. I'm currently reading We Were Here by Matt de la Pena, and it's excellent!

I haven't heard anyone mention "How Evan Broke His Head." I've read all three of your books. This was my personal fave. I think I liked it because you chose one theme, you stuck with it, and you didn't include so many sub plots that I was having to take notes to follow it. I think that in my own writing I tend to try to do too much and I admire what you have accomplished with a simple story line played out in many facets. Actually, you do that with all three books. Not saying I didn't like Raven and The Art of Racing... . I just liked "Evan" best. (Could that be because my son, Evan, shares a name with the title? Am I that much of a biased overly proud Mom? Yup.) I'm an avid reader. I won't make a list. But I will ask... what's next from you?

Hi Garth,
I'm 33, a teacher, in the Boston area. I absolutely LOVED "The Art...", which I read for a book club that a bunch of us teachers at my school formed a few years ago. I have always been a dog-lover and loved how Enzo's voice was totally and completely doggish! I have not read any of your other books but will definitely look for them!

A few other great books I loved that we read for the book club are Water for Elephants, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, The Help, and Those Who Save Us. I also am a HUGE fan of speculative fiction, and some of my favorite authors in the genre are Guy Gavriel Kay, Dan Simmons, Tim Powers, and Robin Hobb.

Right now I've just started The God of Small Things, which I'm looking forward to because my sister recommended it to me. I'm also looking forward to my summer vacation (2 more weeks of school!). Believe me, teachers look forward to vacation even more than students do! :)

Hello Garth,
The Art... was one of my favorite books! Loved that it was told from "man's best friend's" point of view, and boy, was Enzo the best friend ever. It was very touching and I also enjoyed the racing imagery. I even purchased a copy (I read one from the library) and gave it to my husband for his birthday. He loved it, too, even though he usually goes for thrillers.

This year, I've read (or begun reading...I don't have time to waste on books I dislike) quite a few that don't appeal to me: The Monster of Florence and Outlander (really disliked that one) are two that come to mind. I thoroughly enjoyed The Help, Alias Grace, and Eat, Pray, Love. I also read Little Bee which was pretty good, but awfully dark.

Now that I see you have other books out, I will add them to my "to read" list. I'm supposed to be reading Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy for my book club, but haven't picked it up yet.

I've read Evan and I am now reading Raven! While I enjoyed all three, The Art is still my favorite, but it looks like Raven is coming in 2nd....It's the animal-thing I guess.

Hi Garth,

I'm a 38yo mom in Belligham who was turned on to The Art by my (then) 14 yr old son who had borrowed it from his 9th grade English teacher. He loved it, and so did I, and I'm a cat person. Enzo was so wise and good. Our cat was just killed (he was old and it was a mercy killing you might say) by a dog last week and I have found myself thinking about this book a lot. The idea that my kitty may now become his hero is really sweet, so thanks for that.

I read post apocalyptic fiction, a lot of YA, fantasy, a bit of everything. Currently reading Garth Nix Lirael and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I also write post apocalyptic fiction and YA fantasy, which I am just posting on goodreads and getting a lot of support here.

I look forward to reading more of your work!

Hi Garth! Just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Art, despite the fact that I've never been much of a pet person. The perspective was fresh and unique, and I found myself feeling emotionally connected to Enzo more than I expected.

Anyway, lately I've been a reading machine. I tend to pick up books that have interesting covers or an enticing snippet on the back. The most recent books I've read are Sarah's Key (Tatiana de Rosnay), I Am Not a Serial Killer (Dan Wells), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson), and Before I Fall (uhm....crap, I forget who wrote it at the moment).

I'm not a writer in the official sense, but I love the act of writing and I get to do it whenever and however I want with my blog.

One question I have for you: ever been to Santa Barbara? I bet my book club would get a kick out of it if you came to one of our meetings. :)

Hi Garth,
I have been working at a bookstore for over 13 years and have handsold your "The Art of Racing in the Rain" more times than any other in the store. It appeals to so many age groups, crosses over so many different walks of life...from the teetotaler to the tattooed. I actually listened to the audio version and was totally smitten. The narrator was fantastic!! I look forward to reading "Evan" and "Raven". Cheers!

Hey Garth,
I recently read, Racing in the Rain and found that you nailed it with Enzo's character. I missed him and Denny after reading the book. Nice work.

I'm a student of writing and working on my own fiction while I read. I just read the Natural by Malamud and I've moved on to The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

Cheers!

Hi Garth,
My kids are finally old enough that I can read (almost) as much as I'd like to again. One of the first new books I bought was "The Art of Racing in the Rain". I have loved open wheel racing since working for Jim Trueman back in the 80's when he had an Indy racing team with Red Roof Inns. It was a GREAT book and I have recommended it over and over and always get a thank-you for it. It has reminded me of my own love of the sport, and I'm watching and attending races again. Thanks!

I think I'm the only person who can't read "The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo". I've picked it up over and over and can't get into it. I've recently read all of the Sherlock Holmes novels, "The Help", and "Pillars of the Earth" (long, but well worth it!) among others. Looking forward to reading Evan and your re-release of Raven.

Hello Garth,
What a great topic! Everyone loves to talk about themselves:)
I started reading The Art of Racing in the Rain after I found the sample downloaded on my Nook (ebook reader.) My race car crazy son downloaded it a few days before while waiting for Grandma at the doctor's office. Even after a few paragraphs I was hooked! Have downloaded Raven and Evan this week and am reading them now. What a mind!
Am emphatically suggesting Enzo's book to all my literate friends right now. The rest will have to wait for the movie or be happy with just a scratch behind the ears!
Read and love sy-fi, adventure, tech and mom blogs, assorted Twitter feeds and chili recipes.

Hello Garth and all

My first Stein book was The Art of Racing in the Rain but it won't be my last. Like many who have commented here, I was drawn to the book because the narrator was a dog and I wondered how well that would work. I must admit that the book really wasnt what I was expecting. It was so much more. While my initial curiosity was about the PoV, what got me was the philosophical depth. Enzo just kept saying things to me that were really important for me to hear.


I was unsuccessful getting the book into our book club the first year that I suggested it but it drew enough interest for a couple of folks to read it on their own and bring it back as a suggestion for the next year, successfully.

I get bored if I read to much of the same stuff for too long so my reading can get pretty eclectic. Just finished "The Gargoyle" - fabulous - and "One for the Money" - fun. If those aren't disparate enough, I'm reading "Northanger Abbey" right now.

I have never attempted any writing and don't anticipate doing so (though I contemplated a children's book about me and my dog once). I suspect it might make me enjoy the reading less.

Linda

Hi Garth- I have two friends, Karla and Shelli, who are active on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and loved the Art of Racing in the Rain. I have invited them to join the group. I hope that is ok.

Hi Garth- Last year you were on a talk radio show that was hosted by Fred Haney. I called in and talked with both of you, and you and Fred each sent me authographed copies of your books (Fred's is Messages from Jamie). I told you how much I loved Art and that I was a volunteer with animal rescue.

I recommended Art to so many of my animal loving friends, and they all loved it as much as I did. Embarrassed to say that I haven't yet read Raven....

I'm finishing up the 3rd and final book in the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series. I am a member of a live diverse bookclub, so between that and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I have read many different genres and books by authors I otherwise never would have know about.

I'm thrilled to be in this Q&A with you!!

Gio wrote: "Hey Garth,
I recently read, Racing in the Rain and found that you nailed it with Enzo's character. I missed him and Denny after reading the book. Nice work.

I'm a student of writing and working on..."

Gio wrote: "Hey Garth,
I recently read, Racing in the Rain and found that you nailed it with Enzo's character. I missed him and Denny after reading the book. Nice work.

I'm a student of writing and working on..."

Hi Gio -- I missed Denny and Enzo too! I cried myself to sleep the night I finished it!

Are they going to make a movie out of Racing...?

**Smiling and sending waves**
Hi I'm Karla, Diane sent me an invite to this group and thought it sounded very wonderful to have an oppertunity to be able to chat with Garth and fans. Thank you for thinking of me Diane :)
I have read The Art of Racing in the Rain in January and it is a treasure to have read and own. I has given me great insite to "what could that dog of mine be up to now??" I'm an owner of a beloved 5 year old Boxer named Obi who seems way to intelligent to be a part of my family. I like the vision with Enzo it gives me comfort knowing as short as our K-9 friends lives are he may have big dreams.
Hope to read your re-release of Raven stole the moon soon. Anxious to get my eyes O^O on it.
Garth keep on writting I still quote your book with friends at BBQ's and social settings. Love your work!Middlesex is what I'm currently reading it has a fresh vibe about it and deals with a subject I've never read about before. Has a Homeric voice very unique.

Shelly wrote: "Hmmmm. I'm a Canadian 30something mom of 3 boys. I picked up Art of Racing on a whim one day at Costco because a) the cover art was pretty funky and b) it was told from the PoV of the dog. I lik..."

Tell me about it. My TBR pile is shocking!

Emily wrote: "Hi Garth - I absolutely loved The Art of Racing in the Rain. I've told many people about it, and I have given new copies of it as gifts to at least 5 other people. I read then ending about 5 times,..."

Erik Larson is a friend of mine. Just had breakfast with him this morning! He's got a new one out next spring--look for it!

Bethmuse63 wrote: "I haven't heard anyone mention "How Evan Broke His Head." I've read all three of your books. This was my personal fave. I think I liked it because you chose one theme, you stuck with it, and you..."

Thanks! I always thought Evan didn't find its audience. I'm glad you liked it!

Tabitha wrote: "Hi Garth! Just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Art, despite the fact that I've never been much of a pet person. The perspective was fresh and unique, and I found myself feeling ..."

I haven't been to Santa Barbara. Maybe next book. I do have a dear family friend who lives there....

Karen wrote: "Hi Garth,
I have been working at a bookstore for over 13 years and have handsold your "The Art of Racing in the Rain" more times than any other in the store. It appeals to so many age groups, cros..."

There's no more powerful tool than handselling! Thanks for your support!

Christie wrote: "Hi Garth,
My kids are finally old enough that I can read (almost) as much as I'd like to again. One of the first new books I bought was "The Art of Racing in the Rain". I have loved open wheel raci..."

That's interesting. I couldn't get into Dragon Tattoo either. I tried to read it, but never got hooked. Then I tried to listen to it, but found it tedious. It's incredibly popular. I wonder what I'm missing....

Linda wrote: "Hello Garth,
What a great topic! Everyone loves to talk about themselves:)
I started reading The Art of Racing in the Rain after I found the sample downloaded on my Nook (ebook reader.) My race car..."

Ah....chili!

Joy wrote: "Are they going to make a movie out of Racing...?"

Yup. Starring Patrick Dempsey as Denny. Enzo is yet uncast....

I think most writers have a favorite theme. One theme that seems to appear in all three of your novels is the loss of a child in some way. Through custody battles, bad decisions, death. Is it fair to say that you seem lured to that theme? (And use in three very unique ways, I might add.)

Hi Garth, I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain. Will you be involved in the film at all? I put off seeing the film of The Lovely Bones, because I loved that book too, though in the end I thought Peter Jackson made a good film from it. But I also enjoyed Elinor Lipman's Then She Found Me, and couldn't watch the film all the way through. Right now I'm reading The Three Musketeers, partly because I've never read it and partly because I'm thinking about having a character in one of my novels-in-progress (I have three of them) write a (badly written)contemporary version. That book, which I think of as Novel 3--why bother with a title when an editor will just make me change it anyway--is set at a writer's retreat. Was The Art of Racing in the Rain your title from the start? I'm going to go out and get Raven ASAP.

Garth wrote: "Joy wrote: "Are they going to make a movie out of Racing...?"

Yup. Starring Patrick Dempsey as Denny. Enzo is yet uncast...."

That's great - must be a dream come true to have your book made into a movie!! Who is directing? Are they going to film it in Seattle?

Garth,

So I read ARR about a year and half ago (of course I loved it) which led me on a dog themed book run for about a month. I read:

Call of the Wild & White Fang - London
Merle's Door - Kerosate
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Haddon
From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava - Kopelman
Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale - Dye
Never Cry Wolf : Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves - Mowat

I figure you've read London...have you read Merle's Door? I loved it and for those of you who love animal books, I highly recommend.

Garth, thank you for the Art of Racing in the Rain. It was this month's selection for my book club, and I just finished it this evening. It has been on my to read list since it was published and I could just kick myself that I didn't read it sooner. It has been added to my favorites list. I so loved the car racing as a metaphor for doing what it takes in life to go the distance and prevail. And, of course, I also loved the story being told by the all seeing, all hearing, unconditionally loving family dog. Enzo was such an amazing treat - a zen budhist who adores his racing master and racing itself. And, I so appreciated reading about the racing world. I have no familiarity with it, but found your descriptions to be so vivid and fascinating. What is your connection to racing? I assume the individuals identifed in your book are real champion drivers, I recognize one or two names.
Thanks again for the great book. Now I have your others to look forward to.
I also just finished The Help and the third Laurie King book in her Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. I also have loved Merle's Door and highly recommend it. It has a great juxtaposition of scientific information about dog history and evolution as it relates to the dog Merle. Very different from most non-fiction dog books.
Best wishes for your continued success!

Ivan wrote: "Garth,

So I read ARR about a year and half ago (of course I loved it) which led me on a dog themed book run for about a month. I read:

Call of the Wild & White Fang - London
Merle's Door - Keros..."

Ivan - Merle's Door, read it, loved it.

Garth - Who would you cast as Enzo?

Hello! My name is Heather and I am a mom and Development Director (grantwriter/ fundraiser) from a small town in Illinois. I read The Art a year or so ago with one of my book clubs and loved it! I am really excited to see that is will be a movie, I just called my mom to let her know when I saw that!

I read as much as I can, but between working full time and being a mom of two small girls with a husband that travels all the time, I tend to be pretty busy. I have recently read, and loved, The Help, The Book Thief, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire (I can't wait for Mockingjay), Shiver, Little Bee. I am currently reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I love historical fiction, anything by Jodi Piccoult and YA. I have a bookshelf that is full of TBR books, but I just keep getting more, it's my addiction.

I dabble in the children's book writing world and intend to dedicate more time to that passion once I have more time to dedicate. I am actually heading to the SCBWI conference in LA this summer for the first time!! I have written a picture book manuscript that I have sent out to publishers and have collected a few rejections letters.

Looking forward to the discussion and reading your two other books!

Garth wrote: "Joy wrote: "Are they going to make a movie out of Racing...?"

Yup. Starring Patrick Dempsey as Denny. Enzo is yet uncast...."

Did I start a RUMOR? ;)

Garth, I'll jump on the bandwagon here and tell you how much I loved "The Art of Racing in the Rain." It has made my short list of all time favorites.

I read a lot. Tend to read a lot of animal related stories, and I love books that are smart and funny. (ie: Pratchett, Adams etc.) I don't read romance novels and can't believe that some of my friends do.

I am working on my second book. (Both books have animal themes. My first is "Born Without a Tail." Actually approached your agent for the one I'm working on ("Circling the Waggin's") since he represents you and also Bob Tarte (another great writer on animal themes), but he passed. (from what I understand about how demanding he is, maybe not such a bad thing. LOL) Still looking for an agent to represent me on the latest endeavor.

Planning on reading your other books.
- Ariel

Garth, Long before the world fell in love with Enzo in The Art of Racing in the Rain,I fell in love with Evan and Dean in How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets. It still remains one of my favorite books of all times and I have recommended that book to so many people who also love it. I have also read Raven and I believe both Evan and Raven end is such a way that they are begging for a sequel. Any chance? I would love to find out what happens next for Evan and Dean.
Tracy

Garth wrote: "Susanne, that's a lot of books! I'd be happy to join your group for a discussion of Raven if you'd like. Just let me know. And you have to be flexible with timing, of course...."

Okay Garth...I can gather a pretty good sized group if we plan ahead...usually we meet on the last Monday evening of each month. I could arrange either for August (best weather-wise.. a plus!) or Sept.
It doesn't have to be the last Monday...we can work around your schedule, but if you are serious, we should plan to have a couple of dates to work with fairly soon so everyone has enough time to read it!
I just ordered Raven yesterday from Amazon :-)
Susanne

Hi Garth, I read Racing in the Rain shortly after our greyhound Giselle crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Needless to say, your wonderful work brought tears to me eyes. At the time, I had an unpublished novel titled Loveland, which featured a greyhound named Whistler. After reading your book, we adopted a greyhound, who just happened to be named Whistler. My novel was published shortly thereafter:
I'm currently reading The Postmistress, and I can't believe I actually know people who are reading Twilight!

Hi Garth,
I listened to a section from "The Art" while driving home (Iowa) from Wisconsin, and I was hooked~ so glad to find you on here. It was a very moving section involving Eva, the wife, and maybe I'd better not say any more, because I don't want to spoil it for anybody. I loved how Enzo tried, very doggishly, to distract Zoe and engage with her, but she didn't, or couldn't. Really got to me.

I just finished reading Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving and started reading The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker. I have written one novel, Blind Faith, and am going to start working on another one.

I hope Enzo doesn't die in the book- my good friend Mr. Dogg died just a few months ago. Fortunately, we still have JaneFriend.

Hi Garth,

I absolutely LOVED Art of Racing in the Rain. In fact, I named one of my yellow labs Enzo after reading it. And he too is a tv-watching dog. I'm not sure if car racing shows excite him, but he sure goes nuts when he sees any dog/horse or other quadriped on tv. Funnily enough, he doesn't seem to be bothered by bipeds (even Ewoks or Wookies, despite their resemblance to walking bears). Perhaps being named after another tv-watching dog gives him the ability to understand television, as my other 3 dogs don't seem to care for tv or get too involved in any show or movie. I realllly hope that my Enzo grows up to be as great a dog as his namesake in your book. Thanks for such a memorable novel!

Hi Garth,
I really appreciate having such a beautiful story to add to my favorites. Now I get to enrich my friends lives when I give them a copy of Enzo's story. Another jewel I've read is "Swimming in the Starry River" by P.Carey Reid. I found it by chance on the library shelf and would recommend it for anyone who enjoyed "Art of racing in the Rain" (unfortunately,no dog characters). My family's mantra, "That which you manifest is before you" has brought much success!
I'm eternally grateful!
Gerry

Garth, I'm in complete awe of the time commitment to do this. You are a rock star.
I've already emailed you last year gushing of how much I loved Racing.
I'm now waiting for my own debut about dogs to come out in Jan. and for my agent to sell my second book about dogs.
My burning question, are you writing another book involving dogs?