Book Club Corner What Books People Are Reading

By Frank Herbert Winner of numerous awards and first in the series, this epic science fiction novel, Dune, takes place on a desert planet Arrakis. Paul Atredides must follow in his family’s footsteps of ruling over “spice,” a most valuable commodity. His family is betrayed, sending Paul on an unforgettable journey towards his destiny. This is a wellloved classic series.

By Joseph Heller This classic satirical war novel was set in World War II with a distinctive chaotic timeline that develops with the plot. This highly structured novel, told through the eyes of different characters, created its own catch phrase on illogical absurdity. A story worth exploring and reexploring, Heller’s novel of 1961 is still relevant today.

By George Orwell George Orwell’s controversial 1984, often read by teenagers, has more to offer the second time reader. This timeless, compelling story of Winston, the rebellious main character, who tries to live a secret life beyond Big Brother’s watchful eye, speaks to today’s audience, just as it did when it was first released in 1961 with its political, social and sexual themes and prophecies.

By Stephen Hawking Hawking explores the ideas of how the universe began, how time flows, the boundaries (?) of space and more. First published in 1988, Hawking uses words all can understand to get his complex ideas and theories across. As time has passed, many of his original ideas have been confirmed and new chapters have been added. Well worth another read.

A Neighborhood Story

What started as a chance meeting in Boney’s parking lot ended up a fanciful canine wedding in Coronado. Let us be clear. We are talking about two dogs, both terrier mixes, same age and size, different only by color - Teddy, the groom, is black and white; Tina, the bride, is brown and white.

These two puppies, both eleven months old, live only two blocks from one another. Their many play dates were foretold by the barking and jumping at the door when their mate was still a block away. And play they did, like there was no tomorrow - chasing each other, rolling around, vaulting bushes; they were beyond best buddies.

Tina’s family includes three girls, Katie, Sofia and Amelie Moreno who recognized their affectionate play as true love, and in their imaginative thinking felt that the puppies should be married. The girls planned the wedding with some help from their mother, Amy. Handmade calligraphic invitations were sent,

a retired Navy Chaplain agreed to officiate and Teddy offered his Coronado courtyard for the ceremony. Over 40 neighbors and friends, (this was before COVID-19), many accompanied by their dogs, attended the canine ceremony and reception.

A neighbor, Walter Becker assumed the role of disc jockey entertaining the attendees with a mixture of appropriate songs, such as “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window,” “Who Let the Dogs Out,” “Puppy Love” to name a few.

Just prior to the actual wedding ceremony, Bruce Davidson, another neighbor, read an official “Prepuptial Agreement” to the relief of both dogs and the delight of the well-wishers.

That signaled the start of the bride, Tina, being led down the aisle by Katie, the maid of honor, preceded by her flower girl sisters, Sofia and Amelia who strewed rose petals along the way.

At the altar, Teddy and Tina professed their love by vows and drinking from the same nuptial bowl. Finally, Teddy was told to kiss the bride which he dutifully did and together they proceeded down the aisle to the reception area. Here, Harold Myer, grandfather of the Moreno girls and Tina toasted the newly wedded couple with these words:

“We are here to celebrate a ‘good girl’ and a ‘good boy!’ May you play together with terrier exuberance and joy! Bark when you see one another with excitement and zest, Knowing that your time together is always the best! Learn to ‘sit’ and ‘speak’ without getting a treat. Surprise the other when you drop a toy at their feet. When you’ve run and jumped till your tongues hang out Just lay down and nuzzle one another with a loving snout. Cheers to you both and to all those whose lives you bring joy. Here’s to Tina and Teddy, a ‘good girl’ and a ‘good boy!’”

In the annals of dog lore this may not be a first, but it was a fine sunlit afternoon enjoyed and savored by both man and beast.