Fun, weekend read for animal-lovers
354129
First, let me start by saying: I have type 1 diabetes, I am an avid animal-lover, and I lived in the South for 10 years (and I miss it very much).  For these reasons, Skyward sounded like the perfect book for me ...and indeed, it was a fun and engaging read for me.  At it's heart, Skyward is a story about healing emotional wounds and learning how to trust and love.  Both the hero and heroine of the story are dealing with lost love.  Harris was abandoned by his father and then took on the role of caretaker for his alcoholic mother, and later for his drug-addicted wife.  Ella experienced the loss of her parents when she was young, and experiences many heart-breaking losses as a pediatric nurse.  Both characters must face their difficult pasts before they can make the major life changes necessary to allow them to move on.  In addition, the sub-plots that are woven into the story make it all the more interesting.

Although I truly enjoyed the story, I thought the characters should have more fully been developed.  Monroe provides clear and colorful descriptions of the southern landscape, and yet she fails to do the same for her characters.  They lack traits from any type of local/regional culture (with the exception of Lijah) --they could live virtually anywhere.  Each character has a generic type of personality, but there is no depth to their being. In contrast, Monroe describes the landscape beautifully and she presents information about birds of prey in an engaging manner that broadened my understanding and interest them.  The author also provides a nice introduction to the Gullah culture through the enchanting tales and words of wisdom from one of the secondary characters.  Monroe appears to have done thorough research about both birds of prey and the Gullah culture.  However, she has limited knowledge about type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.  The majority of the information about diabetes in this book is incorrect.  If the author had done even a cursory investigation of type 1 diabetes, she could have corrected most/all of the inaccuracies about this disease.  Despite the misinformation about diabetes, Monroe blends this disease into the story smoothly without overdoing it.  The necessary tasks involved in caring for a diabetic child are seamlessly woven into the story.

Skyward appealed strongly to the animal-lover in me.  My most vivid and enjoyable recollections of this story are of the various birds ...Santee (a Bald eagle), Cinnamon (a Harris hawk), Buh Rooster, and my favorites, the Tweedles (two vultures).  In addition, the tale of self-discovery and healing hearts appealed to the romantic in me.  If you are an animal-lover (or at the very least, you like animals) and are looking for a light romance novel, I highly recommend this book.  If you have no interest in animals and are primarily looking for a romance novel, this is not the book for you.
656040
This is a fun read for animal, bird lovers and those who love San Francisco. Cats are curious, so it makes sense that Li'l Tom, a cat, is the PI protagonist. I hope to read more stories about the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau.
218258
A fun quick read I also love animals and it has a hint of the supernatural. This would be a great beach book
4956469
Fun to read, and you get involved with the characters in the stories.  The animals in these novels, really make the story-line sing. They are funny, insightful, and to anyone who has had cats for companions, true to life!  Recommended for anyone who loves animals, and a good story!
550403
Wonderful little read. Whimsical with adorable hand drawn pictures and color photos of the artists' work in the book.
I love how the author puts herself in the storyline to engage with her characters.
Appropriate for any age who loves animals.
4725892
I came across this book at site where bloggers post their book reviews.  I knew I wanted to read it immediately because it was about a dog and well we know here that I am animal minded and loved the furbabies!  I reached out to the author and she so kindly and quickly responded.

If you are an animal lover, enjoy reading, like stories that are heartwarming and contain life lessons this book is for you.  It is a very quick and enjoyable read from the viewpoint of Joey.  Joey, the chocolate Lab, takes on a trip where we learn his rules, lessons and thoughts about his initial mother, his new human family, the runs and walks with his dad, being injured and what comes after.  I enjoyed reading this story, especially with the book being in Joey's voice because so many times I wonder what my furbabies must be thinking from my tone, words, actions, etc.  So many items I do must seem so arbitrary or random to them!

When I first started reading it I was not sure if it was going to be the standard cutesy dog lover story or something traumatic where I would need tissues for the rest of the day...I am very pleased to say it was neither!  It had cute moments and it had some sad moments, but by and large this story enabled us to get to know Joey, his family and what he loved.  The runs with his dad and the swims or splashing with his mom are probably my favorite parts of the story.  It showed the relationship between human and dog, friends and how they can become family.  The only part I got tangled up in was the initial history of his family lineage...but then as we learn more about Joey's roaming ways this made sense and was very applicable!

Upon completing this story I wanted to meet Joey.  I wanted to see if he came to events or something of that nature because my goodness he sounded so sweet and fun!  I was worried what I would find though when I saw the book was published in 2014 and that when the story occurred Joey was already 9+ old. Sadly while looking at the website and Joey's blog JH shared that Joey has passed, but his passing is the only thing I did not enjoy about this experience.  I found the story a joy to read and a true loving testimony to the impact and relationship Joey had with his family, neighbors, vets, mail carriers and all those he encountered!
3180584
I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more to come!

Bella is a dog, clearly, and while we are never really told where she came from, one can guess without having to share the details that I am sure no child needs to hear.

Bella is taken in by someone knew and provided quite the life with her new person. She meets new animals at her new home as well as new people.

It is super fun to follow Bella around, hear her thoughts, meet her friends, and get involved in the life of a dog via the dog.

The book isn't just following Bella. It includes a little action involving a dog-napping, but nothing that I would worry about kids reading  it stays very G-rated.

While I enjoyed the book and am sure any pet lover would; I would definitely recommend this for girls, ages 7-8ish to age 10, maybe.

It is definitely a book I can see my 9 year old reading and enjoying.
4586666
This is a quick fun read about an animal shelter dog who is tasked with finding romance for her new owner. I was given a copy of this book to read in exchange for writing a review. I have to admit that I am not usually a big fan of animal themed books, but I quickly found myself drawn into the story and the interaction between Holly, Mr. Ivy, Victoria, and Kip (you'll have to read the story to find out about these characters). With the dogs' help, the humans work their way through conflict to find that they have more in common than they thought. I found the story to be well written and entertaining.
4863554
I was lucky enough to be offered a free review copy of this book just prior to publication, and was drawn in to it straight away by the title and subtitle, with the expectation of a much more philosophical and detailed canine take on the classic cartoon book, "All I Need to Know I Learned from my Cat". I knew that I enjoyed the author's writing, from her blogs and from her debut novel "Poison Bay", so I was interested to see how she got on with this new departure. Though I'm not a dog person (it's cats all the way for me), I am an optimist, and I really liked the format of this book, which nominates a new reason to be joyful (each dog-inspired) as the title of every chapter.

My verdict: it was delightful - not just an affectionate memoir of her much-loved pet dog Killarney, but also an intimate and poignant account of how she grew herself during her dog's thankfully long life, in career terms, in resilience and in character. There's a nice balance between the many touching moments and self-deprecating or wry humour, so that it never becomes over-sentimental or mawkish, and while unsurprisingly focusing on the dog, she doesn't anthropomorphise. It's very well written, and several times I laughed aloud over a particularly choice turn of phrase, e.g. when choosing a new puppy for her father, she comments that she didn't know that particular breed "came in other formats".

I'm sure anyone who has ever owned a dog, especially for the whole of its life, would savour this book, and it would make a great present for any dog lover. Or indeed for any optimist, or anyone who could do with spotting more joy in their life.

Mind you, all the talk of poisonous snakes and toads, to which Killarney seems irresistibly drawn (to the benefit of the local vet and the detriment of the author's bank balance) has put me right off going to Australia any time soon!

(Plot spoiler alert: it was a good decision to end the book before Killarney dies, so that the tone remains upbeat and optimistic - and it's good news too that just when Killarney is entering old age, she acquires another dog, and so the premise for a sequel to this book, which I look forward to reading.)
2518616
This collection of entertaining essays about dogs and their human friends will have you smiling and often laughing out loud all the way through. Author Wade Rouse collected from some of America's best known humorists their personal accounts of life with their canines. Anyone who has been lucky enough to be loved and owned by a dog will recognize, sometimes with a small catch in the throat, these insights into a relationship like none other.

I was especially captured by the motives behind entering into the dog/human equation, particularly for the first time. The reasons that many gave for becoming a part of this life-changing relationship are as diverse as the personalities involved.

Some are the newly partnered couples, unsure of whether to have a child. As Jen Lancaster relates in her essay, "Dogs Are The New Children," she and her husband were open to sharing their home with another being, "just not one that had the ability to borrow their cars, or get their prom date pregnant, or get neck tattoos." They sought control and believed in discipline, so they resolved to have pets, not kids. Their disapproval of other people's children's public behavior soon evaporated as their dogs threw their theory out the window by behaving as dogs tend to behave --- like themselves. "Eventually we'd morphed into the kind of parents we were so quick to judge," she writes, "but we didn't care." The idea of bringing their own children into the world didn't seem as daunting by comparison.

Then there are the singles who wouldn't dream of bringing a human into their lives unless their dog approved.  And the couples who really, really think of their dogs as people and dress them in fashionable outfits and speak to them in made-up languages.

There are the dogs who heal wounded souls, or become surrogate nannies to children. And dogs who co-opt a partner's share of the bed and all of the furniture. And always, always, the dogs who just weasel their way into your heart in ways that you never expected.

There are stories of the angels who offer foster care to dogs from the no-kill clinics where they volunteer. These generous and warm-hearted people help to transition a stray animal into an adoptable pet to find a forever home with a loving family.

The 21 short stories often say as much about the humans in the relationship as they do about the dogs and how they changed the humans. It rarely seems to be the other way around, at least not with true dog lovers.

Then there are those, like my husband and me, who have had dogs in our lives since childhood. Between us and with us, we counted 15 four-footed friends who, each in their own way, made significant changes --- all for the good, in our opinion --- to us and to the lives of our children. They are all grown now, and each has two dogs at the present, but that number fluctuates, frequently upward. And they are all from rescue shelters. My husband and daughter volunteered at a local shelter for many years, and the temptation to bring home every winsome little face you fall in love with is especially strong in our daughter. It's a good thing she inherited some of her parents' practical genes, or she'd be known as "that dog lady" in her community. They get to you --- they get inside you in ways that you can never imagine until you open your door and your hearts and let them in.

Wade Rouse has succeeded in creating a book that every dog lover will treasure, and I can't imagine a greater gift for the dog lovers in your life. You will find some of yourself and especially something of your dogs on every page.

Reviewed by Roz Shea
3503486
As an avid animal lover, I never tire of stories about pets, wildlife, or any four footed friend.  These short stories are a perfect pre-bedtime read.  I tried to read one each night but usually read two or three because I enjoyed them so much.
2082971
This Book Was a really fun read, and it is really obvious that the author loves and appreciates dogs very much. I wish there were more quotes, but other than that- A great book!
4396702
I do not have a dog.  I am a cat lover but if you love animals you will love this book.  This makes me want a dog because I remember how the dogs I had growing up would love me unconditionally.  It is well written, it keeps your interest and is a quick read.  The author goes back and forth between the dog's perspective and the dog owner's perspective which keeps it interesting.
2424825
With a title like The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals how can your interest not be peaked?  This is the first book I have read by the boisterous duo of Stanley, a three-year-old Labrador/Rottweiler mix and Katrina, the eight-year-old tabby cat.  The chapters or stories are told from the point of view of the animals so we as the reader receive an unique glimpse into life as the animals see and experience it.  The result is obstreperously entertaining!

Stanley, the Labrador/Rottweiler mix, is exactly how I believe a three-year-old dog to behave and act like.  The chapter describing the To-Do List expresses a dog's easy going temperament in three simple living mantras: Eat, Sleep, Play.  Yup, a dog's life.  This is in contrast to Katrina's To-Do List which is forty-five points long.  This is not surprising as Katrina's full name is Katrina Von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge.  What makes the stories interesting is that the antics are actually planned out by these deceptively smart animals and the owners don't really know the truth.  I loved the added touch of the Stanley knowing how to read numbers but deceiving Katrina or how in the chapter about the toilet paper incident the animals had secretly stashed extra snacks.  The creator of these delightful characters has made the characters more complex then simply a dog and cat in a book.

My favourite chapters were the Poetry Slam, the toilet paper party, and the chapter where Katrina worked on improving her poetry and wrote a poem about climbing a tree.  I laughed out loud on that last one.  Felicia Marziarz, other wise known as "Neighbor Girl", has created and brought to life an entertaining book with loveable, enduring characters.  She is also an award winning author as she won the 2014 Silver Moonbeam Children's Book Award in the category of  Best Book for authors under the age of 18 for her first book about Stanley and Katrina.  See below for more information.  I do believe this book is great for skilled independent readers who can follow the frequent change in voice and characters.  It will keep them on their toes.  Enjoy this clamorous romp through the minds of a dog and cat.

*I reviewed an pdf copy of the book to facilitate this review as a part of their Book Blast Tour.
1735694
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover.  I especially liked the author's clearcut interest in dogs and the human dog relationship, and the end of the book (no spoiler here) was amazing.  Good read!
1637656
Fun read, wildly differing characters, some really breath-holding scenes! And a doggie!
4314695
Favorite Quotes:

I met my future husband in a computer programming class.  I would like to say that it was love at first sight.  But honestly, he irritated me quite a bit and I was not interested in him at all as a potential partner.

We had never had goats before and thought that rescuing one was a good thing After a few weeks, she regained her strength and became a bossy little handful of horned stubbornness.

My Review:

I rarely  meaning never  read nonfiction for pleasure, as I do far too much of that on the job and want to spend my off hours reading for entertainment.  However, I don't recall ever reading a more simply written and entertaining non-fiction accounting or memoir in my long and varied life.  The Moltenis are a successful professional couple who decide to retire early from the IT sector and establish a Hobby Farm, which is something I was not aware even existed in the real world.  These intelligent and lovely people knew next to nothing about the animals they decided to raise and care for, and dutifully went about researching and studying each species as they took them in.  They were soon experts on everything hoof, feather, and fur related.  They amassed a veritable Noahs Ark as they deemed the best course of action to slowly start with two of everything.  However, given their willingness and soft hearts, they seem to have a hidden knack for selecting special needs animals.  Each addition to their menagerie was quickly found to have a unique problem or issue that required special or additional accommodation, modification, research, treatment, and or handling.  Their veterinarian probably put his children through college or bought a vacation home from their fees alone.
Despite their best efforts and good intentions, they were never able to obtain milk from the cows they hoped would provide them with dairy products.  They also dealt with a lonely goat with an attitude who demanded an intimate dining experience, a grieving pig, quackless and runaway ducks, a quarantined and confused turkey, and hearing impaired bunnies.  I particularly enjoyed the accompanying pictures and maxims at the end of each chapter, summing up the lesson learned from each species adopted.  While not highly stylized or literary prose, their story was a quick and enjoyable read that will leave a smile on the face of any animal lover.