MARY LAMPHERE AUTHOR

I recently bought two paperback books from the library bookshelf sale. The first, called Dog Songs, is a New York Times bestselling book of poems by Mary Oliver. It won the Pulitzer Prize. The other, Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct, by P. M. Forni, apparently has no cover-worthy accolades.

Dog Songs was disappointing to me. I may be jaded because although I love pretty words, I don’t always ‘get’ poetry. And although I know of Mary Oliver, I’ve never read her before. I love the book title and I love dogs, especially MY dogs, but if I was pandering to dog lovers and book readers, I think I’d be more general in my offerings. Of the thirty-five poems and one essay included in the collection, twenty-eight of them are about the author’s dogs in particular. By name. Now, again, I love my dogs and am sure there would be a tribute to each of them specifically, but if I hoped to engage others, I would want them to chuckle, cry, or shake their heads at the shared familiar antics of our canine friends.

As for the second book, Choosing Civility, I found it to be quite nice. Published in 2002, some of the ideas and examples are a bit outdated, but the basis for each recommendation will always be sound.

Admittedly, I found value in both books.
Dog Songs inspired me.
Choosing Civility inspired and provided validation.
These books make me want to be a better writer and a better person.
What more could you possibly hope for from the bargain bin?