Thursday, June 25, 2009

Giveaway: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Summary: Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it. -- Harper

One of my favorite books so far this year has to be THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein -- you can read my review here. My book club read it a few months ago, and we all agreed that it was just a marvelous book! I have been recommending this book to everyone I know, and I'm just so happy to say that I have a copy of this novel to share with one lucky reader. In addition to the book, I also have some "Enzo" swag to share with three of you!

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me the name of your favorite fictional dog. If you'd like to double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post. This contest is open until Thursday, July 9th at 11:59 p.m. EST; and I will notify the winners the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

67 comments:

Mozi Esme said...

Clifford the Big Red Dog? Actually, I think it's Carl in the Alexandra Day series...

Pam said...

Oooh - I love both of the ones mentioned in the first comment. I also love Goofy.

melacan at hotmail dto com

Cheryl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl said...

Good question. Ok mine would have to be Chief from The Fox and The Hound Movie

He may be old but he is wise and a good friend

clbstitch at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I love the dogs from the movie Homeward Bound.

Sandie said...

Please enter me in the giveaway; this one has been on my TBR list for ages! My email address is skirkland@triad.rr.com and I'm a follower on Twitter. My favorite fictional dog would be either Toto in the Oz books or Old Yeller.

Dawn said...

fav pooch: Lassie, of course! or maybe Orbit from The Jetsons!

Book Escape said...

My favorite fictional dog is Scooby Doo.

We're reading this for our bookclub pick this month!

nbbaker1102AToptonlineDOTnet

ccqdesigns said...

Any book with a dog is always a good book. And, your review was compelling. I would love to read this book and it is on my wish list at PBS.
rebecca dot cox at charter dot net

ccqdesigns said...

I am a follower of your blog via email and I tweeted at ccqdesigns
rebecca dot cox at charter dot net

Kate said...

Brian, the Family Guy Dog is my favorite!

katcomstock at yahoo dot com

here's my blog post:

http://novel-discussions.blogspot.com/2009/06/win-copy-of-art-of-racing-in-rain.html

Meghan said...

I think my favorite is Charlie from All Dogs Go to Heaven. He's not in a book so I hope movies count! I'd love to read this one.

meghankk at gmail dot com

Jo-Jo said...

Hmmm...I think I will have to go with Pluto...I remember chasing him down at Disneyland to have my pic taken with him. lol
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

jpetroroy said...

I'd have to say Clifford!
jpetroroy@gmail.com

Stacie said...

I loved reading the "Good Dog Carl" books to my boys. So, I will go with Carl. I want to give this book to my dad for his birthday. I know he would love it!
Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

Linda said...

I've heard such great things about this book. My favorite fictional dogs are Old Dan and Little Ann from Where the Red Fern Grows.

lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Malena Lott said...

Well, who doesn't love Snoopy? Book sounds fantastic.

Serena said...

Wow, what a great question...how do I narrow that down? Tramp from lady and the tramp!

I really loved that movie.

What a great idea for a giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Oh I JUST picked this book up from the library and love it so far. Let's see, I think my favorite dog in literature would be Charlie from John Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie. I'm not a poodle fan but I did love Charlie and love love Steinbeck.

My email is: iwriteinbooks at gmail dot com

Mom of 5 Boys said...

I'm not a big fan of dogs, so I've been avoiding this book. However, I've heard too many positive reviews, and I'm feeling a bit out of the loop now! I think I should probably give it a try...

My favorite fictional dog would have to be Buck in Call of the Wild, but only because I liked that book!

Alipet813 said...

Scooby Do! My kids and I watch him together. I also RT your tweet and posted a link to my blog. www(dot)thatsanovelidea(dot)blogspot(dot)com.

thanks for the chance! I have had this book on my wish list for quite awhile!

Sandra K321 said...

Toto from the Wizard of Oz.

scottsgal said...

I'd say Scooby Doo, Pluto and Snoopy - great book premise - I'm a total dog lover

msboatgal at aol.com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

My favorite dog? Sam in the Sookie series. Does he count?

No need to enter me. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Unknown said...

My favorite fictional dog is Scooby Doo.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

tweet

https://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/2331038596

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

Linked contest on my sidebar

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com

bjhoppper(at)me(dot)com

Colleen Holt said...

My favorite fictional dog is Asta, hands-down, from the Thin Man series. I love the breed, and he (she?) was just so cute in the movies. I've heard wonderful things about this novel, and would love to read it. Thanks!

bkgobbler@aol.com
Colleen Holt

Jo-Jo said...

I blogged about the contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

M. said...

Sounds like a really different kind of book!

I like Nux the stray mutt who gets adopted by Marcus Didius Falco in Lindsey Davis' Imperial Roman sleuth series.

mayamissani AT yahoo DOT com

Marie said...

I really like Tee Tucker from the Rita Mae Brown books and, Rin Tin Tin from when I was a kid -- and, of course, Lassie and Benji :-)

marielay@gmail.com

heatherzilla said...

I love Rollo from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

Andrea said...

Growing up I loved watching the Benji movies! I would love to read this story!

And I blogged about the contest here
belle2211@yahoo.com

Marie said...

I've heard such great things about this book. I'd love to read it.
Please enter me. Thanks.

My favourite fictional dog: Snoopy.

mparke[at]mts[dot]net

Veronica said...

I need to read this book as part of the Dog Days of Summer book challenge! My newest favorite dog (they're all my favorites)is Almondine from The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

soaib@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Scooby Doo!

Please enter me!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

SJ said...

My pick would be Snoopy. Thanks for the entry. reader047 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My favourite fictional dog is K-9 Dr. Who's pet robot dog.

This one looks like a good read, please enter me into this drawing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Aimee said...

How about Hooch from Turner and Hooch? Great dog movie! Thanks for the contest! acirucci(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

Wow. I ad forgotten about all of these fictional dogs. I think I will go with Clifford the Big Red Dog. I wonder if Linus will be mad that I didn't choose Snoopy. :-)

nicole at linussblanket dot com

Unknown said...

I've also blogged about this giveaway here.

Thanks,
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Jenny Hill said...

I loved Mr Muggs as a child - email is jenny dot hill at shaw dot ca

Jessica said...

I'm going to have to go with Snoopy. Ever since I got a really Beagle puppy, I've been a Snoopy fan.

I loved this book and NEED a copy!!

thebluestockingsociety AT gmail

sharon54220 said...

I would have to say Snoopy.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Wanda said...

When I was a little girl.....my favorite book ever was Harry the Dirty Dog.
I think I still have that book too.

So.....it will have to be Harry!

ikkinlala said...

My favourite's Mutt from The Dog Who Wouldn't Be.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

AllyKatt said...

Actually what comes to mind is the dog Marley from the book Marley & Me.

Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book!

espressogurl at hotmail dot com

mrsshukra said...

I have fond memories of reading books about Carl (Good Dog Carl, etc.) to my child!

Annie1 said...

I have to go with Scooby! He's been around since I was a child, my children grew up with him and he's still going strong for my granchildren!!


Thanks

nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

Tweeted


http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/2366094217


Thanks


nancyrobster@gmail.com

ossmcalc said...

I would really like to win this book. Please enter me.

Favorite Dog: I can't remember his name, but it is the dog that waits outside the subway entrance for his master to return. The master dies at work and never returns. There is a statue of the dog in Tokyo.

thank you,


Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Victoria said...

Love Scooby Doo!

victoriah40@yahoo.com

Miss Remmers said...

My all time favorite fictional dog would have to be Lassie.

reremmers4807 at wolves.northern.edu

Carlene said...

I love Chet in the book Dog On It. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net

Belinda M said...

My favorite fictional dog would be lassie

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anita Yancey said...

The name of my favorite fictional dog is Scooby Doo. Please enter me. Thanks for having this giveaway.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

The Tome Traveller said...

Oooh, I have been wanting to read this book, please enter me!

I can't remember the dog's name but years ago I read Dean Koontz' The Watchers. One of the main characters is a dog that escaped from a lab...he can spell! It is a great story and he is my favorite fictional dog.

Kristi said...

That would have to be Marley from Marley and me!

Please enter me in the contest!

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Sue said...

I've been wanting to read this! My favorite fictional dog? I loved 101 Dalmations, but couldn't pick one.
Thanks for sharing~

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Old Yeller of course! Gotta love old yeller!

Debbie
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

janetfaye said...

Benji is my favorite.

Thanks!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Patti said...

Snoopy is my favorite fictional dog.

budletsmom at yahoo dot com

Lee P said...

My favorite fictional dog is Marley from the movie Marley and Me. What a sad movie. I cried. Thanks for this giveaway and please enter me.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Erin @ CanadianGiveaways said...

I like Odie!

Erin @ CanadianGiveaways said...

I blogged about this here:

http://canadiangiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/07/booking-mama-book-giveaway.html

cqueen2 said...

the littlest hobo ..loved that show.

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

dag888888 said...

Benji! Had his poster and cant get the Benji theme song out of my mind! I feel love....

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com