Book Review and Giveaway.

Tucker and Daisy's Mom here today.  I received an e-mail from a representative for Barbara Lampert, author of "Charlie: a love story", asking me to feature this book on our blog.  I agreed if I could have a copy for review, as I didn't want to feature a book I didn't read.  Below is a synopsis of the book

Charlie: A Love Story tells of the beautiful love between Charlie, a Golden Retriever, and his best friend Barbara. When Charlie turned eleven and started having some health problems, a gardening journal Barbara was keeping quickly became mostly about Charlie. His story is told in journal form while it is taking place, and because it was not meant for publication, it is an intimate look at an incredible connection between a canine and a human. The story of that connection is told by Barbara, a psychotherapist who specializes in relationships.

Charlie’s story is far more than a depiction of his struggles against illness. Those years revealed the depth of his character, the wisdom he had gathered over his lifetime. And those years contained some of Charlie and Barbara’s most memorable times together, the culmination of their connection.

MY REVIEW:

First up, the fact that Charlie is dead is not a spoiler in any way.  The events in this book start in 2002, when Charlie is already eleven.  With that said, I did not really enjoy this book.  The journal format of this book means that we don't get Charlie's whole life story.  Ms Lampert does go back and give a short recap of how Charlie became part of her family, but there is not a lot of detail about how Charlie became her heart dog.  We are just expected to believe it because she tells us it is so, though to be fair you can feel how much she loved Charlie from the way she writes about him. However, if I am going to read a dog book that is going to make me cry, I want to share in the dog's whole life, not just a little time at the end.  The book was not awful, but not great either.

However, your mileage may vary.  So if you wish to read this book, I will be happy to share my copy.  If you want to be entered to be the new owner of my copy of this book, leave a comment on this post.  I will draw a winner if more than one person wants it.  United States residents only, please.