The Nicholberry Dispatch

Kristin Hannah, dog noses, and the incomparable Celadon Books. Oh my!

Welcome back to the Nicholberry Dispatch, where I bring you the latest insights into all things dog and a few things human. As always, I promise to keep it brief, but will also link to some great content that just might take you down a rabbit hole. And if you know me at all, you know I love a good rabbit hole!

BOOK NEWS

Honestly, when Puppy Brain went to auction, I didn’t have the first clue how to assess the offers. But in all of my conversations with really wonderful publishers, the one that most resonated with me was Celadon Books. I had the good fortune of meeting with both Randi Kramer and Jamie Raab, not knowing that Jamie was a legend in the publishing world and that Randi would be such an extraordinary editor. I just liked them. I liked what they had to say about Celadon, their vision for Puppy Brain, and the deeply curious questions they asked. Little did I know how incredible this Celadon team would be. It has been an unexpected serendipity in the process and I’m so grateful for their belief in this book. And in me.

SOMETHING TO LEARN

How do dogs “see” with their noses?

Alexandra Horowitz did this Ted Talk in 2019, but if you never saw it, it’s worth 4 minutes of your day. I’ve often posted on Instagram about the miracle of the dog nose, as its architecture is truly dazzling, separating inhalations into air that is used for breathing and air that is specifically used for smelling. Dogs can “smell in stereo” (using each nostril independently) and can identify mind boggling details about this world (to which we humans are utterly oblivious). This short clip is particularly well done and will help you understand your dog just a little more! Bring on the sniffy walks…

SOMETHING TO READ

The Women

Confession: I have not yet read this novel. But I’ve listened to several interviews with Kristin Hannah and this book sounds like a passion project - the culmination of decades of desire to write this particular story. (I have one of those in me - as you can imagine, it has a lot to do with dogs!). To hear her speak of the way this novel brewed for so long, and then the way it came together, is enough for me to know that it’s going to be a great read. It will be hard for her to top The Nightingale, but she just might do it with this book. Anyone want to do a virtual book club? 

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.”

- Author Unknown

SOMETHING TO LOVE

Let’s keep changing the world, one dog at a time.

Hugs,

Kerry