Sunday Salon

Finished up Homer's Odyessy by Gwen Cooper this morning and got the review out of the way and posted to all the sites where I share my reviews. Loved the book, wished I had finished it earlier, but that is a waste of my energy. I have decided here in the new year to try to lay out some goals and organization to my reading. That may sound like work but I am frustrated that I have so many books that I really want to read and share with others but can't seem to make as much progress as I want. So I want to tie up the loose ends, like reviews I need to do for books from the Early Reviewer books on LibraryThing.com, and then chip away at the other ARC's that I have waiting in the wings. I think along these lines I also need to adopt the reading rules that I read I believe in a Nancy Pearl post. You allow yourself to read the number of pages equal to your age, and if you aren't hooked, you may put the book down and pick something else up that will grab your interest. Time is short in this life and as much as I love to read, I do not want to read anything that is not grabbing me. My interests are so varied, so I won't become bored reading the same topic. Wish me luck, and I will continue to share my reviews of those that I finish and my comments on those that I don't finish and why.

This week I am going to work on finishing Joyce Carol Oates', A Widow's Story, A Memoir which I am enjoying. Next I will chip away at the LT Early Reviewers ARC's that are left on the table. I also want to move on to the second memoir of Harry Bernstein, and get the review of The Invisible Wall,the first part of three, done.

Homer's Odyessy

5 OUT OF 5

One of the most touching true animal stories I have ever read. Now, I must confess I am a “cat lover” and have had a cat or cats as pets, most of my life. That being said, I have learned more about these wonderful creatures from this book, and the story of Homer’s life up until now than I could have learned from all of my wonderful kitties.

Here we have this precious little kitten with a severe eye infection before he ever opened his own eyes. His eyes are removed to save his life. Then the vet starts to look for an individual to adopt and care for Homer for the rest of his blind life. Gwen accepts the challenge even though she is not sure that she is up to it. One of my favorite lines in the book has to do with the fact that Homer does not only “not know” that he is blind, but none of his furry friends are going to tell him that he can’t see either. As a result, he believes he can do anything any other cat can do, using the same techniques. Instinct is powerful. His highly developed other senses are amazing to read about.

I don’t want to give away any of the delightful stories and antidotes that Gwen shares about his life because each of them are special, some very funny, hilarious, heart touching, and unbelievable. However, as Homer’s story unfolds you soon recognize that there is no exaggeration in any of these stories. There were moments when I gasped as I read the adventures and antics of this little guy. Others are laugh out loud moments. Woven in with all of these tales is Gwen’s story of coming of age and maturity, which is engaging as well. There are lessons to learn for everyone about relationships not only with animals but with humans as well.