In this “little gem” (Washington Independent Review of Books), Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and New York Times bestselling author Dave Barry learns how to age happily from his old but joyful dog, Lucy. As Dave Barry turns seventy–not happily–he realizes that his dog, Lucy, is dealing with old age far better than he is. She has more friends, fewer worries, and way more fun. So Dave decides … friends, fewer worries, and way more fun. So Dave decides to figure out how Lucy manages to stay so happy, to see if he can make his own life happier by doing the things she does (except for drinking from the toilet). He reconnects with old friends and tries to make new ones–which turns out to be a struggle, because Lucy likes people a lot more than he does. And he gets back in touch with two ridiculous but fun groups from his past: the Lawn Rangers, a group of guys who march in parades pushing lawnmowers and twirling brooms (alcohol is involved), and the Rock Bottom Remainders, the world’s oldest and least-talented all-author band. With each new lesson, Dave riffs hilariously on dogs, people, and life in general, while also pondering Deep Questions, such as when it’s okay to lie. (Answer: when scallops are involved.)
Lessons from Lucy shows readers a new side to Dave Barry that’s “touching and sentimental, but there’s still a laugh on every page” (Sacramento Bee). The master humorist has written a witty and affable guide to joyous living at any age.
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Lessons from Lucy is extremely funny (in a couple of places I laughed until water ran from my eyes and a slightly thicker fluid came from my nose). You’d expect that from Dave Barry. What you might not expect is how insightful it is, and downright touching. If you’ve grown old along with Dave, you will want to read this book. You’ll also want to read it if you’re a dog lover, but that’s optional. These are very lively life lessons even for the canine-impaired.
Every one of Dave Barry’s books has made me laugh, but this one also made me cry. It’s some of his deepest, most reflective writing ever (and then there’s the spleen story, which is an absolute LOL). You don’t have to be a dog person to love this book; it’s really about what kind of person you want to be.
Dave Barry is one of the great humorists of our age, and if you already like his style, then this is a must-read. If you are not familiar with Dave, this is a great way to get to know him. This book is more introspective and personal than much of his humor writing, but it still laugh-out-loud funny.
In this book, Dave reflects on his dogs, and in particular his current dog, Lucy, and how events in life and life in general can be seen through the dogs’ eyes and actions in a way that teaches Dave (who’se now getting older) some important lessons, in between the laughs. It’s poignant and heart-felt, but still wonderfully entertaining. It’s also short and broken into many segments, so very easy to pick up and put down.
At the end, Dave tells the inspirational story of his daughter’s illness and recovery, which is true and fits so well with the tone of the rest of the book. After this, go back and read some of Dave’s earlier work and just laugh, but for this one, be prepared to cry just a little.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I found myself chuckling frequently and turning the pages as fast as possible.
Dave Barry has presented a story about his dog, Lucy, that is full of love, laughter, tenderness, warmth, humor, deep insight, wisdom, and delightful memories. There are several lessons presented and each one is something we could all hope to achieve.
Even if you are not a dog lover, this is a book you must buy for your bookshelf! With a delightful sense of humor, you will find yourself immersed in the story and wanting to live life as Lucy does!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
While I liked the lessons from Lucy, she is a wise girl, I didn’t get much from the inbetween stories. Dave Barry has something to say, there was inspiration and some chuckling moments there but they were dulled by filler stories. I don’t know him, have never heard of him before, perhaps it I had a history with him I would have gotten more out of it. For a short book it felt long to me.
Don’t know which author I love best, Dave Barry or Patrick McManus but I’ve been reading Dave Barry since I used to see his column in the longview daily news a lot of years ago.
His sense of humor is unbounded….trying to read his presentations quietly is an exercise in futility in stifilling mirth sounds…..
Great read!
I always enjoyed Dave Barry’s syndicated column in my newspaper. So it was a pleasant surprise to have “Lessons from Lucy” appear as a choice on my kindle reading options.
Evidently Dave Barry and I are the same age. I found his writing much more introspective in this book, although it still had moments where I laughed out loud.
I also empathized with his observations about turning 70.
Hang in there, Dave!
Well, first of all, I love Dave Barry’s books. He has the utmost, fantastical sense of humor ever! I had to laugh silently so as to not wake my husband while reading this book. The comparison between dog and human was awesome! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to giggle, laugh-out-loud, and smile throughout the entire book. It was awesome!
Dave Barry is a well-known humorist. He has authored many books, both fiction and non-fiction. His accolades are sung throughout the land and rightly so. He has a Pulitzer Prize, is a NYT Best Selling Author, and even had a sitcom based on a couple of his books. As a columnist his funny takes on life and whatever else was in his head at the time have appeared in over 500 newspapers. Suffice it to be said lots and lots of people think he is funny, and I am certainly one of them.
Lessons from Lucy is a self-help book. Normally I look at self-help books as though the pages are laced with arsenic and leave them on the shelves in the bookstores to die a slow and painful death sad and alone. But I have finally found a self-help book full of useful information that should be read by anyone and everyone. Especially if you are in what poets call the “sunset years”, but Lucy and Barry refer to as getting old. Everyone gets old and this book gives us all great insights to navigate old age with a lot more fun than you might think.
Dogs are basically happy creatures. Barry captures the essence of happiness by studying Lucy’s reactions to situations such as meeting new people (or dogs). Lucy has an open mind about it once she sniffs them out. So should people. Not the sniffing part, but new friends and experiences are so much better than sitting around watching reruns all afternoon. So make some new friends and stay in touch with those you have. It will make you happy.
Be present in the moment is another gem of wisdom. Be happy with who you are with and what you are doing and for goodness sakes put down that cell phone and actually have a conversation. See? Lucy is brilliant and she has a happy life because of her willingness to be happy where she is and with whom she is with.
Each lesson is relatable and will stick with you, such as dealing with anger. Lucy gets mad at the garbage man, and then lets it go. People get mad and let it simmer all day, telling everyone about the horrible thing someone else did or did not do. Who doesn’t yell at the guy on his phone in front of you texting at the green light? Does it do any good? Nope, that guy is gonna do what he’s gonna do. Why get your blood pressure to the top of the chart over something you can’t do anything about? Be like Lucy and let it go.
Barry might be a grumpy old man (his assessment, not mine) but he is still one of the funniest writers I have ever read. His take on life will leave you thinking about it long after you have stopped laughing at the hysterical delivery of his message. As he states, “getting old sucks” but goes on to tell the reader how to make it fun. Really, really fun.
I recommend you grab this book and read it at least once, maybe twice because we all get old and you are going to need this info at some point. I am going to try and not be so grumpy, so opinionated and get out meeting more people and doing more things. I’ll stay connected with my friends and make new ones. Laughing more and living more sounds like the best advice I’ve ever read in a self-help book. I should have known a dog would make me a better human, but it took Dave Barry pointing it out for me to see it.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2018 Laura Hartman
As a person who loves dogs, the author’s insights are spot-on. The “real world” advice from Lucy was fun and inspiring They were, indeed lessons and words to live by. In other words, live more like a dog if you want to be happy.
A must read for Dave Barry fans and dog lovers.
Great stuff from Dave Barry- as usual!
If you are getting old, here is how to age and have a good time. I am 80 and people should enjoy life. I agreed with it all.
As always, Dave Berry shares with us the laments of humanity with enough laughter to ease the pain. I love Lessons From Lucy – as only another old dog can. Lucy is everyman. And mostly we are all as shy as Dave.
Dave Barry is exploring how to be a happier person by taking cues (lessons) from his frequently happy dog Lucy. He also talks about people, aging and life in general. This story is insightful, uplifting, entertaining and laugh out loud funny. You do not need to be a dog lover to enjoy this book but if you are put it on your must read list.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC of this story. The opinions expressed are my own.
Lessons from Lucy is my first Dave Barry book and it will not be my last. Using his humor and his love for Lucy. Dave takes you on a trip of advice and rules for living when you get older using humor and a little sarcasm. This fun quick read will make you laugh out loud and make you reflect on how to live your life better as you get older. It was a very good book.
What could be better than combing Dave Barry’s humor and the love of a dog? Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog was a perfect read to refresh my mental health and adjust my attitude. I laughed out loud and I felt warm and squishy inside.
Barry admits he’s always been a ‘dog person,’ as have I. My childhood mutt Pepper and I loved each other. She followed me to school, sometimes even got into the school to show up at my classroom door. I would lay on the floor to color and Pepper would place her chin on the small of my back. I loved to stroke her long, soft, floppy ears. For Barry, his childhood dog surpassed Lassie in heroism, for Mistral would eat the Brussels Sprouts Barry slipped to him during dinner!
Barry shares his dog stories and stories from his family life to illustrate the lessons Lucy has taught him about how to live.
I cracked up over so many things. He takes on Facebook and electronic devices, the horror of shellfish as “Phlegms of the Sea,” white lies, hurricane preparation, teenage angst over appearance, and the difference between dogs and cats. Dogs feel guilt, even if they haven’t done anything wrong; cats “have the morals of Hannibal Lecter.”
The seven lessons are not profound or unexpected, but essential and wise. Barry even scores himself on how he has been progressing in trying to put the lessons into practice!
It’s worth a try. I sure envy the happiness of old dogs. Our Shibas in their golden years impressed me with the smiles on their faces just enjoying the comfort of a thick foam bed.
I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Dave Barry fans will not be disappointed! In Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog, Barry shares all the humor, perspective, and life lessons he has been gifted during his time with his dog Lucy. With seven chapters in total, each chapter shares a new lesson but Barry tends to go the long way around in revealing it. That’s a good thing though. Laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes deeply thought-provoking, the lessons touch on the following subjects:
-be friendly
-find opportunities to have fun
-give priority time to loved ones
-let go of anger
-don’t judge people by appearances
-material items won’t make you happy
-be honest
As you can see, quality stuff inspired by the playfulness, love, and loyalty of man’s (and woman’s) best friend. Check it out!
Note: Thank you to goodreads and Simon & Schuster! I was a Giveaways winner of a paperback ARC (advance reader’s copy) of Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog.
“Lessons From Lucy” by Dave Barry
This was one fun read. Yup there is a lot to learn from Lucy.. and Dave makes it FUN !! I laughed and chuckled… and said… you got that right… Hope you will find this as true and entertaining as I have.