Buddha's Dogs

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Buddha's Dogs is absolutely wonderful. Inspiring, funny and heartbreaking, I look forward to reading it over and over again. The imagery is so powerful and original, I kept reaching over to read it while I was stuck in traffic. Already I can't wait for her next book!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Buddha's Dogs is absolutely wonderful. Inspiring, funny and heartbreaking, I look forward to reading it over and over again. The imagery is so powerful and original, I kept reaching over to read it while I was stuck in traffic. Already I can't wait for her next book!

Rating:
Summary: A steal at twice the cost.
Review: I have a small shop where I carry a few fine books. My customers are loyal and careful about what they read. In three years of business I've received only one hot check. No one has ever stolen from me.

One afternoon, an attractive young woman walked in wearing a shirt that said "RENO!" and carrying a large shopping bag from the clothing store down the block. She asked me if I had something wonderful to read and I replied that I did. I asked her if she was in the mood for poetry. She said yes.

I handed her my last copy of Buddha's Dogs by Susan Browne, a collection of poems that can make standing difficult after first reading. She took the book to the love seat in the corner and grew so quiet that I'd forgotten she was there. I went about my business serving other customers.

After several minutes, the woman rose and moved slowly to the exit. She looked sad, happy and a little disoriented when she nodded goodbye. I was disappointed that she didn't buy the collection I'd recommended but thanked her as she waved her shopping bag out the door.

I searched for Buddha's Dogs the rest of that afternoon. I retraced the woman's steps through the store, checked all of the shelves where she'd browsed, looked under the couch cushions. Finally, I accepted that the book was gone and that I'd encountered my first book thief. I've never seen the woman again.

So, this is my review and I'm not sure I could offer Buddha's Dogs a higher rating. This book of poems is so good that it can make you a criminal. Buy it but don't lend it.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic.
Review: This might be Susan Browne's first book, but she is an old pro when it comes to the mastery of poetry. To writing about dancing with her father to teaching a student that doesn't like Emily Dickinson and then poems about her mother's death, Browne tells stories that could break your heart, yet then you start to laugh at her wise observations on life. A definite recommendation.