It's
World Animal Day and authors Terri Giuliano Long and David Brown are hosting a hop. You know I'm a big animal fan. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs. I would have more, but I need another 2 legged household member first to balance things out. I used to work as a zoo keeper and my graduate studies were all about endangered species and recovering the
Florida panther. So naturally, I thought I should participate.
For as much as I am an animal person (or perhaps it is because I am such an animal person) I do not like to read about animals. Books with animals are always sad. I don't think I ever even read the
Velveteen Rabbit. Therefore, it's a bit ironic that my favorite books for October (I know October just started but the books are that good I know nothing else I read this month will top them) has animals in semi-leading roles.
First up is the hilarious
Further Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman (available Oct. 16)
. When I read the first book in the series, I was all about God (short for Godzilla, the little anole lizard). I even did a couple of posts dedicated to him. However, in this second installment I have to say Doomsday stole my heart. If I glimpsed her name on the page I knew I need to take a deep breath because I would be laughing so hard at the end of the scene I couldn't breathe. Did I mention Doomsday is a doberman? She has a squeaky high pitched voice and when she bears her teeth she isn't trying to be tough; that's how she smiles. How do I know this? Check out
my review and then pick up the books for yourself.
My favorite series (after reading this last installment I think it has knocked Harry Potter out of the top spot) is an epic fantasy and has many creatures. There are also a set of animals that are paired with each of the main characters. I guess they are kind of like familiars (I can't remember if that is how they are referred to in
The Six or not). Outside of a mention here or there these animals (a horse, lion, badger, song bird, owl, and fox) haven't really played much of a part in
The Gateawway Chronicles. I just finished the fourth book,
The Enchanted (available Oct. 18; read
my review) and the animals have a much bigger role. It was interesting to see them interact with the characters and wonder if they will be more prevalent through the rest of the story (to be honest I had all but forgotten them).
Right now, there doesn't look like anything bad will befall these furry and feathered creatures. J. B. Lynn and K. B. Hoyle - I'm putting you on notice
YOU CANNOT LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THESE CHARACTERS. Otherwise I will be very, very upset. Consider yourself warned! :)
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I'm sooo glad you liked Doomsday. She's a riot to write!!
ReplyDeleteI missed the arc for Hitwoman!
ReplyDeleteDid you check Edelweiss? That's where I got mine from the publisher. I don't really know how to use that site so don't ask me how your request it (the publisher sent me a pre-approved link).
DeleteLoved Hitwoman.! So fun that I didn't want it to be over. Can't wait for the second. I have it on preorder.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Velveteen Rabbit Donna. I admit is was sad but well worth reading. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI understand you not wanting to read sad stories about animals. I do love Watership Down and Richard Adams' other novel, Plague Dogs, but both are incredibly sad.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed Jack London's Call of the Wild and White Fang. #
Thanks for taking part in the blog hop, Donna.
Thank you so much for taking part in the hop, Donna! I don't blame you in the least for not wanting anything bad to befall the animals. I would feel exactly the same! Happy World Animal Day!
ReplyDeleteWhy are animals so dang sad? Sure, we live longer than animals, but there's no need for this! I sincerely hope that J. B. :Lynn and K. B. Hoyle listen to your warning, because I'm going to have to pick up those books now myself.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I hate sad animal stories - even though it's ultimately happy, the part of The Subtle Knife where Lyra has to leave her daemon almost killed me!!!
ReplyDeleteI usually dislike sad animals stories a well especially when they loose their best friend!
ReplyDeleteWow, that had to be a great experience studying the Florida panther and working as a zoo keeper! I am a huge animal person too but I hate to read books or watch movies with animals too since they always make me cry.
ReplyDeleteI will look up the books - thanks.
ReplyDeleteI, too, dislike sad animal books. I'm working with a teenager right now who is writing a horse book, and she killed off a colt in the Prologue. A suggested that I didn't really see how that was necessary to the plot or character development, but reminded her it was her story. Sigh....the colt remains dead. Yes, I can be a realist, but that doesn't mean that I'll be killing animals in my books. I prefer a little hope and light. :)
ReplyDelete