"At some earlier point in time, I remembered liking my speech, but now it seemed silly and trite, an Up-With-People message, only I was the opposite of a perky, talented teenager. I could just see it now: a room full of three-hundred Winning Women, all pretending to listen to me, but secretly multitasking. Five minutes into my fifty-minute talk, the organization's president would usher me away from the podium."
~Another Bad-Dog Book, Joni B. Cole
What can I say about the fifth book by Joni B. Cole, Another Bad-Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love, and Neurotic Human Behavior, published in 2011? For starters, but perhaps most importantly also, it made me laugh. This collection of twenty-eight personal essays is filled with numerous observations and anecdotes, and much of this book resonated with me. I could really relate to it! I have kids who shun me sometimes, I've felt not quite good enough or up to the task at hand, and like so many other women, who are, shall we say, getting older, I want to look and feel good--and young. At times, I found myself surprised at how similar to the author I am, and I felt a kinship with her. The author's honesty is wonderful--honesty is one of the things I look for in any kind of writing--and her voice is down-to-earth and real. And although the author pokes fun at herself, I discovered a sensitive and smart woman who is passionate about her profession as a writer, teacher, and speaker, as well as her family, including her "bad-dog", Eli.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The only niggle I had with it was the part about "Super Joni", in the first story. To me, it seemed just a bit out of place, a little too cutesy for the rest of the book. Hopefully, that's not the author's favorite part of the book.
Good news! The author is generously offering a giveaway for a signed copy of Another Bad-Dog Book to a lucky reader (U.S. only).
- To enter this giveaway for this book, simply leave a comment.
- For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower, or that you subscribe in Google Reader.
- For an additional chance, post about this contest on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
Enter by 5PM PDT on Monday, October 31. One winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday, November 1. Good luck!
Special thanks to the author for sending me an advance review copy (ARC) of this book. Because the passage I've quoted is from an ARC, it may change in the final version.
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This sounds like a book I could relate to as well!
ReplyDeletefirst off, that cover is too cute. Secondly this sounds like a fun series.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun read … and one I would relate to as well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting book! I haven't heard of any of these and this is the fifth!
ReplyDeleteThese types of books can be awfully fun to read. I just finished an ARC of Awkward Family Pet Photos which made me chuckle. Thanks for mentioning this one.
ReplyDeleteHi all, I hope you give Another Bad-Dog Book a try. I love that readers find it funny and real and relatable. These days, we certainly need to laugh and connect more than ever! If you get the book, I'd love to know what you think! Thanks so much Suko for posting this!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really fun read, and one that I would enjoy. I love the fact that it's full of varying essays and that if the quote at the top of your review is anything to go by, it sounds amazingly funny as well. Great post today, Suko!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments! This is a great book for women who don't mind being called "Miss". The author has graciously decided to offer her book as a giveaway to a lucky reader, so those of you who reside in the U.S. will be entered in the drawing (except for the author herself, of course!).
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of this book.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
I love all dogs books that I read. I would love to win a copy of this one.
ReplyDeleteI am a long time follower.
I tweeted:
http://t.co/xUGRrXVo
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I like the books which make me laugh ! They are not very numerous . I asked me why ?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very entertaining and worth reading book-
ReplyDeleteSome of that neurotic behavior makes me laugh, too, except for when it's too personal! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book that would be entertaining and relatable. I always like books that make me laugh!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower!
laarlt78(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank-you for the great review and giveaway!