Choosing Your Next Read – – Mine: A Big Little Life (A Memoir of a Joyful Dog) by Dean Koontz

My last few book buys from Amazon have been how-to books; one on juicing and another on detoxifying. I seem to buy more of these types of books than fiction. I guess it’s because I’m self-taught in so many areas that I never want to stop learning.

However, while sitting in a hotel room over Memorial Day weekend, I just finished watching HBO’s Liberace picture, “Behind the Candelabra,” when I flipped to a PBS station where “Between the Lines with Barry Kibrick” was on. Barry was interviewing novelist Dean Koontz.

Barry is such an interesting interviewer. He prepares by not only reading the books he will be dissecting with the authors, but shows insight into their actual thought processes as well.

I landed on this channel because of a fellow author being interviewed, yet stayed because of the insight both men shared about writing, loving, experiencing and living. Also the fact that Dean’s book was about his dog, was a bonus. I was intrigued to hear more, while my own dog, Amore’, lay next to me.

Trixie was Dean’s dog. She was a very happy dog, despite having a rough welcome into this world. The photos alone on the book cover (front and back) make you smile, feel joy.

This is from the book’s back flap: Trixie weighed only sixty-something pounds. Dean occasionally called her Short Stuff, and she lived less than 12 years. In this big world, she was a little thing, but in all the ways that matter, including the effect she had on those who loved her, she lived a long life.

Doesn’t that make you want to BAWL LIKE A BABY!!! Anyway, I digress.

It’s obvious that I was drawn to this book because of my own love for these creatures; moving heaven and earth to make sure my for-legged baby stays with me a long time.

Dean mentioned in the interview that his relationship with Trixie was one of the most profound experience he has ever had. He places his relationship with Trixie only second, behind his wife. He was a little embarrassed to share this fact; that he values and cherishes his relationship with Trixie more than he does with most humans. And I can understand. Having a bond with an animal is nothing short of miraculous.

I just received the book in the mail yesterday and have it on my have-to-read-in-June list. So what is the point I’m making? This. Sure, it’s fun to pick all your reads from the NY Times Best Seller Lists. You won’t be disappointed, I’m sure. But if you get the inkling, think about what matters most to you in your life. Put together a few keywords, then search online for a book that matches your keywords. I can guarantee you, you will have one satisfying experience after another using this method.

Choose wisely.

A BIG LITTLE LIFE (A MEMOIR OF A JOYFUL DOG) is sold on B&N for $1.99 in hardback, on Amazon for around $12 in paperback, and iTunes for $11.99 in paperback.