Another book I’ve recommended and given as a gift countless times since I first read it is The Art of Racing In The Rain, by Garth Stein. Published in 2008, it’s newer than The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be but has already become a treasured classic. Unlike The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be, which is a good read for young adults and up, The Art of Racing in the Rain was written for an adult audience.
This book came into my life by accident: I was online late one night, ordering books to give as Christmas presents, and spotted a title that seemed sure to appeal to a racecar-loving nephew. When the package of books arrived and I discovered that The Art of Racing in the Rain was a novel—starring a dog—I set it aside and went back to the task of finding the right gift.
Eventually, after the rush of the holidays was over, I picked up the book, not expecting much and still confused by the title. Plus, no one I knew was talking about the book (that soon changed as it topped the New York Times bestseller list—and stayed there!).
Despite my blasé attitude, I was entranced from the very first page. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s unique—the narrator is a dog. At its heart, this is a profoundly wise story about love and family and finding one’s path in life.
About the author: Garth Stein is an award-winning writer and the author of four books. The Art of Racing in the Rain brought him an international following, and became so wildly popular it was made into a movie in 2019. An immediate hit, the film finished sixth at the box office on its release and eventually earned more than $33 million worldwide.
