What I've been reading: Books No. 41-42

Book No. 41 was " Good Dog 101: Easy Lessons to Train Your Dog the Happy, Healthy Way" by Cristine Dahl. I appreciated this book from the library so much that we ordered a copy of our own. Best part is that the author gives you "recipes" for dealing with behavioral problems. And she's occasionally funny as well. She also suggests treats, toys, and other supplies in lists at the end of the book to assist with training. The only downside is that it feels like she copied & pasted some phrases or passages over and over again, like when she's teaching a few different techniques to deal with the same problem. But overall, really invaluable. As a first-time dog owner, I really appreciated this book.

Book No. 42 was " How to Be Both" by Ali Smith. This novel doesn't do well on GoodReads with folks who don't like experimental novels. Ali Smith herself, according to interviews, doesn't like the term "experimental novel," but I think it's best to be prepared for the novel (pun intended) structure of the book, which I won't spoil in this review. I was mildly annoyed by some stylistic choices a few pages in but was pulled into the narrative and really appreciated that I stuck with it. I really loved both halves of the narrative, both the Renaissance character Francesco del Cossa and more modern early 21st century character, George. The theme of "being both" resonates throughout, and the imagery of the prose is like poetry even in the sections not styled as poetry. I think I'll be remembering scenes from this novel for many years.



( The other books I've read so far this year: )