THE BOOK OF BARKLEY: Mom's Doing the Happy Dance

Friday, March 6, 2015

Mom's Doing the Happy Dance

Really - she should close the curtains first.

Mom picked up the mail and there was Kirkus Reviews Magazine. Kirkus Reviews, along with the (London) Times Literary Supplement is considered the gold standard for serious authors, and readers who care about serious books. One of her good friend's dad is a University Professor and he always subscribed to it (it's not an inexpensive magazine). Mom says they are known to be fair but brutally honest - especially on new and Indie authors. Some writers told her not to let them review The Book of Barkley, but she did - trying to spread that story beyond the pages of a blog and amazon and hoping that would lend her some "literary cred" as more than a scientist who blogs.

They put it as an Indie Book of the Day in January on their website, saying how much they loved it, and she was so happy. But she knew, that less than 10% of the books they review end up ever in their magazine. The selections are 100% at their editors discretion, and they typically choose the strongest reviews in a variety of genres,

So when she opened up the February 15 issue today - there was happy dancing going on.

I'm going to act like I'm super excited and dance with her and maybe she'll give me an extra treat!

9 comments:

MonkeywranglerMarch 6, 2015 at 7:45 PM
What wonderful news for your Mom, Abby! I hope you got a couple extra treats today! And tell her "thanks" for supporting DFW Lab Rescue this month too. I've met one of their folks at the local dog park.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Idaho PugRanchMarch 6, 2015 at 9:41 PM
How cool is that! Congrats
hugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
ReplyDelete
Replies
Brinley WestieMarch 7, 2015 at 12:49 AM
Congrats to yer Momma!! Dat is definitely worth da Happy Dance!!!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Kinley WestieMarch 7, 2015 at 2:17 AM
Congrats!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Cap'n JanMarch 7, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Smiling all over myself - I love that Barkley and his Mom have done so very well and continue to help with the worthy cause of rescue... Tears and smiles, all at once.

Cap'n Jan
ReplyDelete
Replies
JaneofVirginiaMarch 7, 2015 at 5:23 PM
Often, books worth reading do not get the attention they deserve ! I am really glad that Barkley's book (and of course, your own) is getting as many humans to read it as it is, and that it is the recipient of critical acclaim !
ReplyDelete
Replies
MurphyMarch 7, 2015 at 6:01 PM
Wow, that is very impressive! You should be proud of your mom! Congrats and we think it is worth MANY more treats!

Your Pals,

Murphy & Stanley
ReplyDelete
Replies
LBJMarch 7, 2015 at 6:57 PM
Monkeywranger - I got the book today. That is JUST so cool, and in great shape for being almost 60 years old. That was a wonderful surprise!.

IdahoPugRanch - thanks and your UPS guy should be delivering yours any time now.

FinleytheWestie - thank you so much!

Whitley Westie - Ditto!

Cap'n Jan - you were part of that journey and I'm glad you got to know him a bit before he left us.

Janeof Virginia - indeed, and had I not read your books, I'd likely not been brave enough to try it. Thank you for being an inspiration.

Murphy - Abby got some more treats, and she was quite happy to see her Dad after being away from him two weeks for work travel.
ReplyDelete
Replies
KBMarch 7, 2015 at 7:03 PM
Yay!!!! Congrats - that is a huge accomplishment!
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Welcome to The Book of Barkley and the Blogville dog blogging community. This blog was created for more memories of Barkley as well as updates on our Lab Rescues that have joined our household since Barkley left us.

Stop in and say hello. However, comments from strangers offering business links will NOT be posted. I

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

FIVE STARS

No one who has ever had a dog as a companion will be able to read The Book of Barkley: Love and Life through the Eyes of a Labrador Retriever by L. B. Johnson with dry eyes.

Johnson tells the story of her life, from childhood to adulthood, from the perspective of her relationship with Barkley, a Lab that she got when he was just a stubborn ball of fur who ‘selected’ her when she viewed the litter of which he was a part. Her descriptions of adjusting to Barkley’s presence in her life, and how this helped her come to terms with and understand her past and learn to take life a day at a time on her own terms will resonate profoundly with anyone who has fallen in love with a dog and had to learn to live with its loss.

This is a story of unconditional love and acceptance, the kind that asks nothing but love in return. As Johnson and Barkley forge bonds of trust and understanding, she also strengthens her human relationships.

This is much more than a mere memoir – it is a story of life and how to live it, and how we humans can learn to live our lives better if we’d only learn to live it like a dog does. The author uses language well, with descriptions of animals, people, and places so vivid you feel that you can feel the textures, smell the odors (pleasant and otherwise) and hear the whining of a puppy needing to go out to do its business. Life can be sad or happy, and the author takes us through it all – a trip that you won’t regret taking. A five-star book that definitely merits the Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence

About Barkley and His Mom

My Mom started this blog due to requests from friends who wanted a place to go for stories of her furry friend Barkley that weren't in the book and stories of my rescue and new life in my furever home. She donates all of the proceeds from her writing to animal rescue and groups that train search and rescue and service dogs but that's OK, as she still gives me lots of dog treats and toys.

The Book of Barkley is Mom's first memoir. She used to be a jet pilot for somebody's Uncle but now has a Ph.D. in something involving science and forensics which is like TV but without expensive suits or cleavage. Additional mayhem is provided by my Dad and our 100-year-old "fixer upper" Mission Bungalow.

Her second memoir "Saving Grace - A Story of Adoption" was published in April of 2015". Her Third Book - "Small Town Roads", her first Fiction Novel was published October of 2016 and was an NPR selected "2017 must read" and 2017 Readers Favorite International Book Award GOLD for "Fiction - Religious Theme". Her 4th book, "Calexit, The Anthology", a Novella with other authors, was published in October of 2017 and was on the Amazon Best Seller's list two days later. Her fifth book "True Course - Lessons from Life Aloft" was a #1 best seller at Amazon 24 hours after publishing so I think she has been bribing you all with treats.

Abby - Mom's Lab Assistant