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Lisa's Looking Glass

Lisa Wells Reviews:
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I bought a copy of Garth Stein's "The Art of Racing in the Rain" last week, but as I often have two, three, or four books going at a time, I thought I'd put it aside and finish one of my other books before adding another to the mix. That evening, curiosity (and the dog-lover in me) won out and I thought I might just read the first paragraph. Well, maybe just the first chapter. Actually, the chapters are quite short so I read another. And then another. Well, maybe just one more. I just couldn't put it down - so I didn't.

A story full of metaphor and imagery, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" breaks down what it is to be human; our weaknesses, our strengths, the pain, the joy, the challenges… and yet you are never once amazed that you are gleaning life lessons learned from a dog. A dog named Enzo who is the narrator for this story. Enzo is a dog who loves to watch TV, especially the Weather Channel ("[it's] not about the weather, it is about the world!"), a dog who loves to watch auto racing, a dog who loves his family. He once saw on TV that a dog that is ready will come back in his next life as a man. Oh my, Enzo is ready.

To watch Enzo's family through his eyes is to experience a unique perspective. He is a participant in all that occurs, but only peripherally. He is the proverbial "fly on the wall" in many situations, but little do they know that he is perceptive and understands, sometimes more than his family does. And yet he is a dog and he has limitations. He cannot articulate his thoughts and despite his desires, he does not have even one opposable thumb and yet Enzo feels deeply, his happiness becomes your happiness, his frustration becomes your frustration - his family becomes your family. Garth Stein has crafted a book with so much heart, truth and compassion that it just begs to be read. Afterwards, I just dare you to look at your dog, or any dog, quite the same again.

Buy a Signed Copy of The Art of Racing in the Rain - $23.95

Meet Garth Stein on August 23rd! Click Here to Find Out More!

JipKiss has Gone Green!

A Green Tip! - ABFAS has a lot of "green" shoppers and when we ask "Would you like a bag for your purchase?" a great many of our customers just say no! Many choose to use the bags they've brought and others just go without, preferring to save a bag.

The next time you make a purchase at ABFAS, we want you to know that there is one more "green" option and invite you to check out our new shopping bags! Made of 100% recycled fiber with a minimum of 95% post consumer content, these handled bags can be used, reused, and reused again! If you usually get a bag with your purchase, consider asking for one of our "green" IndieBound shopping bags and be sure to bring it with you each time you come back to do more ABFAS shopping!

Remember that it all counts... every little bit!

Could you work with your spouse?

All over the internet, articles abound about whether people should, would, or could successfully work with their spouse. Does it work? Should we? Could We? It could spell danger! It's only obvious that none of those writers bothered to talk to the folks at ABFAS because we have a couple making it work, right here!

After the moonlight ceremony that joined Donica and Stephen's families on August 28th of last year, Donica made the decision to change jobs and join the ABFAS family as well.

Their work schedules have changed a bit over time and as of now, they only work together one day a week, but they find themselves looking forward to that day. On Mondays, after arrangements are made for their 15-month old son Isaiah, and Donica's five-year old son, Jalen, they both meet up at ABFAS where Stephen is the Manager.

When these two are together, it's easy to see that they enjoy each others' company. They are quick to laugh and enjoy being close to each other so it's no surprise that when asked about the challenges of working with your spouse, Stephen cites trying to be professional when his wife is around. Stephen is a fun-loving man with a cheerful disposition and when Donica is around, his playful side comes out in droves. Donica, very sweet and equally as cheerful, laughed as she remembered a time when Stephen played one of his practical jokes on her while on the job. It involved a "funny voice" on the phone and she fell for it. Of course, the next time a similar voice came on the phone, she thought she had him... luckily she stopped herself when she realized that it might not be Stephen. Good thing too—it wasn't!

Being able to keep things light while on the job is what most of us hope for, but what happens when you have an unresolved disagreement with your spouse and you still have to put in a day of work together in the public eye? As Donica mentions, that can be a bit difficult because you have to come to work, still stirred up, with no chance apart to work through the problem. "We always work through it in a couple of hours, but it's hard because we have to work through it in front of everybody."

You'll find that most of the time though, any "disagreements" on the job are the good-natured, imaginary kind. According to Stephen, "this is the only place that I get to be boss!" and mentions that he likes the fact that "I can fire her any time that I want!" Considering that Donica admits that once, she was "actually fired three times in one day," this is an area where they tend to have a lot of fun. Stephen may be the Manager and he may jest about being the boss, but in reality Stephen tells us with a smile that Donica "knows me too well to let me get away with anything."

When a couple works together in a small business, coordinating a family vacation could be another challenge to overcome, but beyond that, Stephen and Donica couldn't come up with anything but good things to say. "We like that we get to take lunch together most Mondays" and "it's nice to spend some time together once in awhile without the kids," were recurring refrains, but Donica seemed to sum it up best when she said "I get to hang out all day with my best friend who makes me laugh; and I get to learn about books and get paid!" I suppose it just doesn't get much better than that.

Congratulations to Donica and Stephen who are celebrating their first anniversary this month! We hope you'll stop in and wish them many more years of happiness... on and off the job!

Pat's Corner

Pat is Nannyizing for a summer month and has been spotted in some unusual haunts.