A Dog's Purpose

A Dog's Purpose is W. Bruce Cameron's journey inside the mind of a dog as it tries to discover it's purpose.

Life starts for Toby as a feral dog.  He is inquisitive and finds fleeting affection, but death is not the end for this dog.  Each time he comes to the end of life, he awakens as a puppy with a new life and a new name.  As he travels through each life, he uses the lessons he has learned to help the people around him as he tries to discover his purpose for existence.

A Dog's Purpose is at times funny, sad, and touching.  Every animal lover should read it, but it is especially for dog lovers.  As a cat person, I enjoyed the book, and I loved the dog's observations about cats.  He generally thinks they have "no discernible purpose."

This book is a wonderful view of love from a dog's eyes.  The complexities of human life and relationships get boiled down to play, love, comfort, and eat.  Anyone who has ever loved an animal will understand and appreciate this dog's single-minded devotion to his master's comfort and happiness.

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Liam has always been tall for his age, but now that he is twelve and shaving twice a day, he doesn't really look like the other kids.  His parents want him to fit in with the other kids, but Liam just wants to get out of his home town and see the world. 

One day Liam decided to take advantage of his height.  Everyone always thinks he's an adult, so why shouldn't he get the benefits of being an adult?  He teams up with a classmate named Florida, and they pretend to be father and daughter. 

Everything is great until Liam gets the opportunity to take his daughter on an adventure.  The adventure is more than either one of them bargained for.  Can Liam keep up the pretense that he is Florida's father?  Should he?  As Liam strives to be more "dadly," he and Florida get to know each other better, and they learn to appreciate each other and the importance of a good dad when you're in a tough situation.

I loved this book!  It was funny and touching.  Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but the chocolate factory is a trip to outer space.