Read With Me II – Book Announcement!

It was close friends, one vote close.

The winner of our Read With Me Round Two Book contest is….

“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson

It appears we all will be finally figuring out what everyone is talking about.  Then after reading it you can decide if you would like to read the rest of the trilogy! I promise that we will not be reading all three books together.  I’m just going to get you started on this first one!!!

You officially have two weeks to snag your copy and send an email to lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com to tell me that you are in or leave me a lovely comment.   Our first reading assignment will be posted on Friday, September10th with some starter discussion questions just like last time!  In case you are new to Read With Me, this is how it works; Each week I will post our discussion topics, just a few questions that you can either comment on here or send your responses to that same email address.  After the discussion topics are listed, there will also be the reading assignment for the following week. New reading assignments will be posted on Fridays so that you will hopefully set aside a small amount of time before bed on the weekend to read and then have the week to ponder the topics! Once we have finished the book, the amount of weekly topics you worked on will be the number of times you are entered for the gift card.

Not clear? Check out this example from our first round of Read With Me!

Go get your copy, comment or send me an email at lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com to tell me that you are in, and look for your first reading assignment to come on Friday, September 10th!
(Keep checking back for a Promotions Contest to grow our reading group and win a Barnes & Noble gift card!)

The Art of Racing – The Finish Line!!!

We did it! Yes we took our time, sure we could have gone faster, but we did it!  Round One of Read With Me was successfully completed and I am so pleased that we chose “The Art of Racing in the Rain” as our first book.  This book allowed all of us I think to get that glimpse into our pet’s brain that we have been wishing for!  I think one lesson we can all take away from this is loyalty.  We know that dogs are “supposed” to be loyal but this novel showed it.  It allowed us to see it and feel the reason and purpose behind all of the actions our furry friends take to make us feel loved.  We should all strive to be as loyal and loving as Enzo.  Yes, we all should be more like a dog.  That dog.  Instead of continuing to ramble on and on and on about a novel we all now know and love, how about some standard, wrapping it up questions?

1. Favorite “Enzo” moment?  Was it the crows?  Driving in the car? Playing with Zoe?  Tell us what you just couldn’t get enough of and why!

2. What quality in Garth Stein’s writing brought this novel to life for you?

3. Your reaction to meeting little Enzo.

4. What emotion did you feel the most during this novel and why?

5. And the standard….would you recommend The Art of Racing in the Rain to a friend?  Why is it, or is it not worth the read?

Feeling lost???  Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up on Week One, Week Two, Week Three , Week Four, Week Five , Week Six and read with us!

** Don’t forget, you only have One Week Left to cast your vote for Read With Me Round Two! **

Congratulations to Lindsay who won our “participation” contest for this first group together! Your Barnes and Noble gift card (which you could conveniently use to purchase our next book) will be in the mail shortly.

Read With Me Round Two! – Cast Your Vote

As our first Read With Me book is coming to a close with this week being our last assignment and just one reflection left, I have been naturally searching for what will be next.  Since I am having trouble deciding and you are going to be right there reading with me, I thought you should have some say too!

So, you have until Friday, August 27th to cast your vote for which book you would like to read for Read With Me Round Two! Our new book will be announced the following day and just like in Round One, you will have two weeks to get the book. Our first assignment will start on August 10th. (That gives you “Art of Racing” readers a week off before we start up again )  All you have to do, is email your vote to lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com with Read With Me Vote as the subject.

Now, for the finalists and what their book jackets reveal as well as links to the books so you can really get a good look! ( I know how we all like to check out the covers.)

1. Little Bee by Chris Cleave

“We don’t want to tell you what happens in this book.  It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it.  Nevertheless, you need to know enough just to buy it, so we will say just this: This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again – the story starts there…”

The magic is in how the story unfolds.

“Immensely readable and moving, and affecting story of human triumph.” – NY Times Book Review

“One of the most vividly memorable and provocative characters in recent contemporary fiction…Cleave paces the story beautifully, lacing it with wit, compassion and, even at the darkest moments, a searing ray of hope.” – Boston Globe

2. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

“ Larsson’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family sage, love story and financial intrigue into a complex and atmospheric novel.

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago.  All these years later her aged Uncle continues to seek the truth.  He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction to investigate.  He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander.  Together they tap into a vein of iniquity and corruption.”

“A blazing literary sensation.  This dark hearted thriller is now poised to burn up bestseller lists in America.” – Vanity Fair

To Vote: Email your vote to lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com with Read With Me Vote as the subject.
Voting Ends on Friday, August 27th at 4 p.m.

The Art of Racing – Week Six

The Art of Racing – Week Four Reflection – Chapters 29-42

As this book draws to its end, I keep finding so much grace in it.  A humbling grace really.  The ease Denny seems to accept that this, Eve’s death and Zoe’s custody will be a long battle.  The gentleness Enzo handles his master with as he watches him suffer yet doesn’t allow him to stumble into a drunken stupor. (“Don’t judge me. That’s not your job. Your job is to support me, not judge me.”)  The sweetness in which Denny and Zoe simply acknowledge that they are both plain sad about Eve’s death.  No hysterics in the moment, no irrational reactions, just a kind embrace and a true emotion. Sad.

I think we all have most likely had the “What would I have done?” thought, or how could I have dealt with all of this and as with anything I think it is one of the many in the moment heartaches that you push through.  Enzo even poses the question to us on how much can one person take before breaking. Denny didn’t have a choice but to begin pushing through.  At least, that is what he told himself.  We all always have the option of the easy way out. The way of self-pity and weakness but to prevail and prove you are stronger takes a kind of grace we all should strive for.

These chapters also had many unbearable moments.  The family barricade keeping him from his wife’s funeral, Denny’s memory of his dew claws being cut, and Annika…oh how I knew that would come back to haunt him. I suppose we all knew though right.  That foreshadowing thing will get you every time!  Right there with the unbearable was the humor.  Enzo “sticking his paws in his ears” while receiving the hip dysplasia diagnosis he already knew he had and had been compensating for his whole life.  So sad, the hip dysplasia and the compensating to fit in, yet so funny his reaction.   Enzo admitting his love for Law and Order (I knew this dog and I were meant to be…a dog after my own TV heart!) and describing what he thinks Denny’s experience was like in those terms.  So sad Denny going through all of that, yet so hilarious Enzo accounting for it in TV drama words.

The grace Garth Stein has given to all of his characters and the grace he himself used in writing this book has allowed all of us to find our relation in the story.  Whether it is memories of loved ones or knowing that someone else out there has personified their pet, their feelings and their daily thoughts brings us together, straight to the end.

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Reading Assignment : Week Six
- Chapters Forty Three – End
We will have one last discussion post that will be posted next Friday as usual!

Discussion Topics: There is just so much to talk about!

Respond to the below topics by either answering in the comments section, or emailing lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com Either is fine, so go with your comfort!  Next Friday new discussion topics will be posted that will cover our last reading assignment!  This week they cover last week’s assignment!

1. “The one who drives smart will always win in the end.” How do you think Denny must play it smart upon hearing that his in-laws want custody of Zoe?

2.Denny’s Lawyer Part One:What was your first impression of Denny’s lawyer in Chapter 32?  Do you think what might be considered “personality flaws” helped him be a better lawyer, or the opposite?

Denny’s Lawyer Part Two: Denny’s lawyer has a problem with pronouns, only referring to people as “him, her, it” instead of making it personal.  Where do you see this happen in your everyday life, what is its effect and how could we (society) change it?

3.  I loved Enzo’s lesson on the concept of “Being alone is not the same thing as being lonely.”  (pg 198) How do you differentiate those two states of being for yourself? What makes you lonely as opposed to comfortably alone?

4.  Why do you think friends have such a difficult time just allowing one another to be upset/mad/depressed etc. as Denny’s friends do?  Why do you think there is a stigma in our world that says it isn’t okay to just be upset?

5.  Denny’s “tell sign” that he is stressed or upset are shaky hands. What is your “tell sign”?

6. What do you think Enzo going to see Zoe every week did to bridge the gap between father and daughter? 

** Discussion Challenge: **

After posting your responses return to the site throughout the week and post a comment responding to at least one other person.

Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up on Week One, Week Two, Week Three , Week Four, Week Five and read with us!

The Art of Racing – Week 5

The Art of Racing – Week Four Reflection – Chapters 19 – 29

This past week’s assignment was a little difficult for me as it brought back memories of my mother’s sudden passing and how grateful we were to not have to have watched a long, painful battle.  I suppose that was us trying to find the silver lining, but still, it was something to hold onto.

I felt as though while these chapters had their humorous, exciting and eventful moments some of it was also like watching another couple argue in front of you and being uncomfortable.  You know, that “I don’t think I should be watching this private matter.” sensation?  The matters of Eve’s illness and prognosis almost seemed too intimate but again, that could just be a personal matter.

With all of the emotions during this time and the family changes I think we got a better look at Enzo the dog, not Enzo the human dog. Yes he still had human moments, and yes we were still in his thoughts and brain but he very much did the things we are used to our dogs doing; comforting the sick, staying guard, running away.  Maybe it was the emotions for him and losing a bit of the self-control he always has but I enjoyed seeing the “good ol’ dog” side of Enzo as well.

Don’t know what I am talking about, read about our “Read-Along“, and join us!

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Reading Assignment : Week Five
- Chapters Twenty Nine through Forty Two
Only two weeks left! Next Friday our final reading assignment will be posted.

Discussion Topics: There is just so much to talk about!

Respond to the below topics by either answering in the comments section, or emailing lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com Either is fine, so go with your comfort!  Next Friday new discussion topics will be posted that will cover Chapters Five Through Nine.  This week they cover last week’s assignment!

1.  Listening Part One: On Page 101, Enzo discusses the importance of being a good listener.  Go back and re-read his thoughts.  Why do you think it is a good trait to be a good listener, or do you believe this at all?

Listening Part Two: Reflect on yourself honestly, do you think you are a good listener?  How do you think you could either become a better listener or help those around you improve their skills?

2. When Denny comes home from the hospital at one point he says out loud, “She is going to to okay, she is going to be okay.”  Speaking our wishes is a very adult, human thing.  What power if any do you think doing that holds?  Can you tie Denny doing this into his racing philosophy?

3.  Beginning in Chapter 23 we are really starting to have to deal and be witness to Eve’s illness.  What is one quality/moment/reaction you love that Enzo had our did towards her throughout this period and why?

4.Share your reaction/how you felt while you read Chapter 26 about Enzo getting to “race” with Denny.

5.Do you think the concept of Enzo killing the squirrel (not the actual act of killing & eating it) upon learning of Eve’s death was an animal reaction or human reaction?

6. Who do you think handled Eve’s death with the most grace, and what showed that?

** Discussion Challenge: **

After posting your responses return to the site throughout the week and post a comment responding to at least one other person.

Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up on Week One, Week Two, Week Three , Week Four and read with us!

The Art of Racing – Week Four

The Art of Racing – Week Three Reflection – Chapters 10 – 18

This past week more than ever it has been difficult for me to put the book down, and when I saw Chapter 19 approaching I had to use serious restraint.  I decided that as the “moderator” of this little adventure I truly need to hold back so that I am not clouded on our discussion questions with what I know is around the corner.  Despite the funny events, and Enzo still proving to be a highly intelligent pup in this last assignment I felt a bit sorry for him.

I was sad that he was left alone as I often wonder what my pups think and feel if they are left for an extended period (not three days of course), and I thought it was interesting that he didn’t address whether dogs have a sense of time or not since you always hear about that.  I also felt sadness that Enzo was “ready” but for the first time I understood his wanting to move on after the Mongolian beliefs were explained.  Enzo is taking honor in this decision and is of course excited to get to what he believes will be his human life.

Suspense with the racing, suspense with Eve’s help, suspense with the fall, this last assignment had me flipping those pages swiftly! If you didn’t see my response do last week’s discussion topics, you can read them in the comments section here. I am thoroughly enjoying seeing your thoughts via email and the comments, keep on reading!

Don’t know what I am talking about, read about our “Read-Along“, and join us!

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Reading Assignment : Week Four
- Chapters Nineteen through Twenty Nine

Discussion Topics:

Respond to the below topics by either answering in the comments section, or emailing lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com Either is fine, so go with your comfort!  Next Friday new discussion topics will be posted that will cover Chapters Five Through Nine.  This week they cover last week’s assignment!

1.  Do you have feelings toward a specific animal similar to how Enzo feels about the crows?  “Scum, creatures of cluster. they call them a murder when they are in a group.  A good word, because when they are together you want to kill them.”

2. Do you think Denny didn’t tell Enzo about taking the racing spot even though he told Eve and Zoe on purpose because of their porch conversation?  Why? Or, do you think his daily life simply made him forget? Why?

3. Can you remember any moments as a child where you were trying to show off or show all that you knew to a group you admired similar to how Zoe was behaving when the various racing professional came to dinner?

4. Where do you feel as free as Enzo feels when he is running through the woods at Denny Creek?

** Discussion Challenge: **

After posting your responses return to the site throughout the week and post a comment responding to at least one other person.

Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up on Week One, Week Two, Week Three and read with us!

The Art of Racing – Week Three

The Art of Racing – Week Two Reflection – Chapters 5 – 9

Just like you, I want to read more, and more, and some more after that.  Since we all seem to be struggling to put the book down, this week’s assignment will be a bit longer to hopefully help everyone fill their reading craving.  So while we are all juggling jobs, children, spouses or none of the above remember that this is to be a source of relaxation and a time set aside just for you. Your time.

What I love about books is getting wrapped up in them.  The problem with that is that sometimes I forget they aren’t actually part of my life.  So when I am washing bottles and think, “I wonder what Enzo’s up to?” , I have to remind myself that I am losing my mind because;

A. Enzo is a dog.
B. Enzo is a fictional dog.

I seem to keep thinking about if I was him how would I have tried to warn Eve, what could I do and what devastation might this all cause to the family.  I suppose that is all the more reason to keep reading!

Don’t know what I am talking about, read about our “Read-Along“, and join us!

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Reading Assignment : Week Three
- Chapters Ten Through Eighteen

You said you didn’t want to put it down, so no complaints!

Discussion Topics:

Respond to the below topics by either answering in the comments section, or emailing lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com Either is fine, so go with your comfort!  Next Friday new discussion topics will be posted that will cover Chapters Five Through Nine.  This week they cover last week’s assignment!

1.  If you were Enzo Part One: If you were Enzo, or any dog I suppose, what TV channel would you want to watch all day and why?

2.If you were Enzo Part Two: If you were Enzo how would you have tried to tell Eve about her illness?

3. As there were several laugh out loud moments, find a moment you found particularly humorous in Chapters 5 or 6 and share!  ( I have mine ready to go!)

4. “That which you manifest is before you.”  Do you think this is true? Have you ever applied this or something similar to anything in your life?

** Discussion Challenge: **

After posting your responses return to the site throughout the week and post a comment responding to at least one other person.

Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up on Week One, Week Two and read with us!

The Art of Racing – Week Two

The Art of Racing – Week One Reflection

It appears we all have the same problem with reading…time. When will there ever be enough time?  I have tried too  many things – putting it on my To-Do list, goals of when I want to be finished and the famous, “I’ll read in bed before I go to sleep to relax.” HA! Do you know what I do to relax in bed? I go to sleep.  No matter how many times I think I am going to read before bed I just realize that the smarter decision is to savour those hours of sleep.

What works?  First thing in the morning.  Apparently the opposite of what I had always tried (before bed) is what I needed.  Before the day really gets going, while I am still tucked in with the dogs snuggled up around my feet I reach over on the nightstand pull out my book of choice and get to business.  I also try to set a reasonable time limit for myself according to what I need to get done that day.  Fifteen minutes? Maybe even 30 if the day is looking bright.  It seems to set my day to a great start and I already get to cross one thing off my list before I even set my feet on the floor.

In case you didn’t see my response to you in the comments section (which appears to have a rainbow background when I post – who knew?) here is what I had to say in response to you all!

So, while reading everyone’s thoughts, I pretty much came up with a two word response to y’all…

“I agree!”

I have a little of everyone in me I suppose. I wish I could juggle multiple books, but I rarely have time to focus on just one these days as it is.  While a cover won’t completely turn me away, there is nothing like a great cover – It seems that crisp, clean covers/fonts catch my attention.  Despite the lack of time, and sometimes commitment challenge of a lack-luster story there is nothing like leaving your day to day nonsense behind and letting a book’s characters and background suck you in!

Oh and I too, loved Redeeming Love among many books of all genres…The Lovely Bones, Harvesting the Heart, The Glass Castle, In An Instant and even Harry Potter.

Don’t know what I am talking about, read about our “Read-Along“, and join us!

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Reading Assignment : Week Two
- Chapters Five Through Nine

We’re stepping it up kids…you can do it!

Discussion Topics:

Respond to the below topics by either answering in the comments section, or emailing lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com Either is fine, so go with your comfort!  Next Friday new discussion topics will be posted that will cover Chapters Five Through Nine.  This week they cover last week’s assignment!

1. When Enzo hears Denny tell Mike that he has to to make a trip to the vet and that it might be “one-way” their is a mood shift in Enzo’s thinking.  What emotion or emotions do you think are now going through Enzo’s mind and why?

2. At the end of Chapter Three, Denny in regards to racing, says that he must be aware of nothing but being part of that specific moment and reflecting will have to come later.  How do you think this relates to someone’s daily life, or how should we make it part of our life?

3. What human element has been applied in Enzo’s life so far that is your favorite?  “I never knew my father.” in Chapter Two. Wishing for thumbs in the end of Chapter Four? 

Discussion Challenge:

After posting your responses return to the site throughout the week and post a comment responding to at least one other person.

Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up on Week One and read with us!

** Thanks to everyone for tweeting, facebooking, blogging and even e-mailing about our group. Congratulations to Christine for winning our Promotions Contest! **

The Art of Racing – Week One

Here we go! (I feel like Oprah..isn’t that what she says at the beginning of her magazine? Regardless, here we go!) I am just thrilled to be reading “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein with everyone!  Each Friday I will post discussion topics based on what we read the precious week as well as the new reading assignment for the following week. Since we haven’t read yet, this week’s discussion topics will be slightly different.

Don’t know what I am talking about? Read about our “Read-Along” and join us!

Reading Assignment : Week One
- Chapters One through Four

Sound like a lot? Relax it is 16 pages. Sixteen. You can do it!

Discussion Topics:

Respond to the below topics by either answering in the comments section, or emailing lifeofthekazmanns@gmail.com Either is fine, so go with your comfort!  Next Friday new discussion topics will be posted that will cover Chapters One Through Four, this week we are going for background!

1. What is it that you enjoy most about reading and/or being a reader?
2. Personally, what do you find most challenging when reading? What turns you away from committing to a book?
3. List one favorite book for us all!

Don’t worry, you can jump in with us at any time.  So go grab your copy, catch up and read with us!

Remember, our Promotions Contest ends next Friday!