Lost Cat Books: September 2015

Friday, September 25, 2015

It's New George Strait Album Day!!! Hooray!!!

Click here to buy Cold Beer Conversations from iTunes

George Strait released his latest album today, Cold Beer Conversation, and it's a fantastic way to start your weekend!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

A Positive Update on The End of Your Life Book Club

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a book I'm not loving. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe seems like a book I'd absolutely adore and read in one day. It's well written and about books for crying out loud! What's not to love? But, I haven't connected with it. I've been forcing myself to read a page here and there just to get through it. Finally though, I've hit a spot that really clenched my heart. I'm about 30 pages from the end and without spoiling anything, the main character mother is on hospice care. Things have gotten seriously real with her cancer and suddenly I've found the emotion that had been lacking. Will and his mom (Mary Ann) have read John Updike's book Tears of My Father: And Other Stories, a collection of short stories. Will asks her which was her favorite story. She says, "the first one". It deals with death, which is currently hanging over her head like a velvet curtain. She directs Will to read this passage about a 55th class reunion:

This passage truly resonated with me. I don't think any of us, once we are out of what we'd consider the prime of our lives, thinks of ourselves as any less than prime. I know in my own head, I still feel like I'm 17, or maybe 21 or even 27, which was a very good year. I imagine that will continue as I age, and frankly, I kind of like that idea. The idealism of a room full of the rather aged still feeling like round cheeked beauties is lovely. I also like that I've finally connected with Mary Ann, a truly remarkable woman who until this point in her story has felt at least an arms length from me. At last, I feel I've really seen something very personal about her, about how she feels about her stage of life. I know now that these final 30ish pages will fly by, and when all is said and done I may look back on the book as a whole with affection.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Product Review: Thundershirt! Dog Anxiety Solution

This is Rex.

I have a great dog. Rex is a twelve year old red border collie. He's normally a confidant, happy guy. Then thunder rolls in, or someone lights a firework. Loud sounds reduce him to a fearful puddle trembling under my husband's desk in our basement. I have always felt bad for dogs who have fears because they're smart enough to know fear but not able to understand that noises won't actually harm them. We've teased Rex, tried to comfort him and helped him find good hiding places from that mean old thunder but as he's aged I've been trying to make his life more comfortable over all so I resolved to alleviate his fears. I decided to give the ThunderShirt a try.

The kids and I giggled at the funny name, and who doesn't chuckle at the sight of dogs in shirts? I admit, I was a skeptic about the shirt and had a "can't hurt anything" attitude about buying it but I hoped it worked. My hope was rewarded! I shouldn't have been such a skeptic - I swaddled my babies and that worked a charm. This is the same concept. The first time I put it on Rex he almost immediately calmed. It was crazy! He visibly relaxed and laid down in the living room instead heading for the basement through the storm. I'm sure it helped that the kids fawned over how cute he was in his shirt, but Rex really was less afraid! He didn't seem to mind wearing it at all. I've used it through two more storms and both times he has been able to just be Rex, unafraid and not hiding! Every dog should have one of these! I'm a believer in the ThunderShirt.

*My only complaint is that getting a scared dog to stand properly to get the shirt on is a bit challenging. That's not a design flaw, just a fact of dealing with an anxious animal. I put the shirt on Rex and adjust it a bit after a few minutes when he has calmed so it isn't all bunched up.

This is Rex in his ThunderShirt. See how it's on him a little crooked?
After he calms I am able to straighten it out and it fits perfectly.
You can buy your dog a ThunderShirt here.

From the manufacturer: ThunderShirt's patented design applies a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect for over 80% of dogs. Like swaddling an infant, Thundershirt is recommended by thousands of veterinarians and trainers around the world. Already helping millions of dogs, anytime calming is needed, a Thundershirt may help. Not just for thunder! Use for thunder, fireworks, separation anxiety, car travel, problem barking, general fearfulness, reactivity, and much, much more. A positive tool that almost all dogs seem to love to wear. With no need for training or medications, most dogs respond positively within minutes of the first use. Very easy to put on and take off. Made of lightweight, machine-washable material.

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Sunday, September 13, 2015

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 10

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday (1916 - 1990). In celebration of him, I've decided to share some of my favorite Dahl quotes. Some are from his books, some are statements outside of his books. They all inspire me, and make me want to read his lovely, magical books again.

This is the final Roald Dahl quote I will share today. It is my favorite because for me, it sums up everything he was trying to do with his books. Plus, it suggests my ideal life. A lovely bookshelf on every wall would be beautiful life for me!

Enough said.

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 4

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday (1916 - 1990). In celebration of him, I've decided to share some of my favorite Dahl quotes. Some are from his books, some are statements outside of his books. They all inspire me, and make me want to read his lovely, magical books again.

One of the things I like most about Dahl is his commitment to making books fun for kids but still infusing them with important messages and realistic characters. He had such a light touch it's easy to forget that his books are more than just fun and it takes a little reflection to realize just how wonderful they really are.

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 3

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 2

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday (1916 - 1990). In celebration of him, I've decided to share some of my favorite Dahl quotes. Some are from his books, some are statements outside of his books. They all inspire me, and make me want to read his lovely, magical books again.

Matilda is a particular favorite of mine. The Wormwoods are some of the most delicious villains in all of children's literature. Truly awful people, but not scary for little ones. (Trunchbull is another story, but she also adds the just right bit of fear.)

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 1

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The Dilemma of Not Enjoying A Good Book : A Review of The End Of Your Life Book Club

Click Here For More About The End Of Your Life Book Club

Do you ever pick up a book with great reviews that seems like your cup of tea and then not like it? I'm reading a book right now that I really ought to love. It got great reviews, it's about a topics I'm interested in - books and relationships - but it just isn't clicking with me. In fact, it makes me slightly uncomfortable. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe is the well written memoir of a man whose mother is dying of cancer. He accompanies her to chemotherapy, and as they have always done, they talk about what they are reading. Before they know it they feel they have formed a de facto book club, deciding what to read together so they can discuss it. The book reveals the remarkable life of the mother who is a high energy soul, traveling the world working to help refugees and making friends everywhere she goes. I would really like to be totally into the whole story, but it's told in such a matter of fact manner that's making it difficult to connect. These are interesting people, but I'm kind of bored by what should be a compelling read. It's terrible to say a son's writing about the end of his dear mother's life is dry, but it is. I feel shallow for saying it, but the book is not what I hoped it would be. Perhaps I didn't fully realize it was a memoir. Possibly I expected a work of fiction? It reminds me of a really long article from The New York Times. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I think I'll be happy when I finish. If you decide to read it (or already have), I'm interested in your opinion. Do you have a different point of view that might make me take a second look?

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Try Audible (my sleep aid of choice) FREE for 30 days! *Plus get 2 FREE audiobooks!

Click Here to Start Your Free Trial

Like many people, being an adult has wrecked my ability to sleep. I have to trick my brain in to shutting down. My primary trick is to plug in some headphones and play an audiobook. My brain focuses on the story, I relax and most nights I'm out like a light. On the nights I don't sleep, I get to hear the books I love read professionally instead of just letting my crazy brain run wild. It's a win either way!

(I don't just sleep to audiobooks, either. You'd be amazed how pleasant cleaning the house can be when Elijah Wood is reading Huckleberry Finn to you.)

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

I subscribe to Audible's Gold Plan, which means for $14.95 a month I get one audiobook (or a credit toward future books if I don't choose a new one ever month) and 30% off additional audiobooks. I love having pre-paid credits so I can always download the books I want when I want them.

You can try Audible for fee for 30 days. The benefits included in the free trial are:

• Get two free audiobooks to start -- after 30 days, get 1 book each month for $14.95/month

• Get 30% off the price of additional audiobook purchases

• Cancel anytime. Your books are yours to keep, even if you cancel.

Audible Gold Membership benefits:

• One audiobook per month for $14.95/mo

• 30% off the price of additional audiobook purchases

• Cancel anytime. A member’s books are theirs to keep, even if they cancel.

**BONUS**

These are my favorite headphones for sleeping. Sound quality is very good and
they're comfy! It doesn't get better than that.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Happy Thoughts for Readers episode 1

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Sure, I'm bummed out about summer being over, kids back in school, and especially my kids all being old enough to be in school all day, but let me tell you a secret. Being able to sit down to read in silence is H.E.A.V.E.N.L.Y.