Lessons From Lucy by Dave Barry

It is impossible to read anything by Dave Barry and not literally laugh out loud as I did many times. Mr. Barry is a brilliant writer who delivers in this offering, wit and wisdom from the perspective of his dog, Lucy.

Dog lovers will love the bits about Lucy but if your not a dog lover, don’t worry as you will still enjoy this laugh out loud quick read I highly recommend for the laughs and nuggets of wisdom that can only improve our lives.

The laughter alone can do that, the rest is a bonus.

Rating 5
Linda C.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

I did not read this book. I will refrain from reviewing because I couldn't finish it. Sorry I couldn't get into it when I tried.

In Barry's wonderful style, he notices that his dog Lucy is handling old age far better than he is. So, he decides to be more like her and have fun with his life. In doing so, he reconnects with old friends, makes a few new ones, and has more fun.. This is a fun read with a little bit of life advice thrown in.

Dave Barry's wonderful writing style is all there, and, as a long-time dog owner, I appreciated the affection and respect between author and dog. The structure got a bit tiresome toward the end, however

I have been reading Dave Barry for years but this one really got me, being a dog lover. I love Daves writing style it’s light and airy quick read and super cute examples of life lessons using the dog and examples as a backdrop. Super cute and I would highly recommend, particularly if you’re a Dave Barry fan or a dog lover

Sweet and legitimately laugh out loud funny. Dave Barry is one of my favorite authors, and this book demonstrates why. Lucy teaches us a thing or two about life, and how to just roll with the punches. Such a good book!

Such a cute, short read. Loved how each chapter was based on a lesson and how Lucy (his dog) taught him this lesson. Funny and heartwarming. I'm not familiar with Dave's other works, but will be checking them out.

Although not my favorite Dave Barry read, Lessons From Lucy was enjoyable and funny at moments (less "moments" than his past books). I also liked his implementation of a theory of lessons we can...and likely should...learn from our pets. This aspect actually made this book a bit more "deep" if you will, than his others - he calls it a bit "self-helpy." It definitely did carry a message that, amidst his silliness and commentary, is very valuable to hear. Barry's style of writing reflects more of a conversation he's having with the reader, including moments in which I impulsively laugh out loud following reading a response (which can result in very amusing reactions from others when reading in public spaces :)). He has this uncanny ability to tap into the mundane, life events that touch us all and find the humor in them, often while slightly berating himself. He is down to earth and VERY relatable. This South Florida icon has inadvertently gotten me to reflect on daily life, whether describing the tenets of parenting, education, or self-growth, through humor and wit. Lessons From Lucy hit that mark as well.

My favorite lesson was Lesson #3: Pay Attention to the People you Love (not later, right now).
"In the end, all that really matters - all you really have-is the people you love. Not your job, not your career, not your awards, not your money, not your stuff. Just your people." So true, yet consistently hard to recognize as we work our way through this life.

5 star book here. Great lessons especially from a dog named Lucy...lol This is a fast read and very enjoyable.

In Lessons from Lucy, humorist Dave Barry writes about life lessons you can learn from your old dog. Examples include "make new friends" and "keep having fun." There isn't much connection from the stories he tells to the life lessons from the dog, but the last chapter redeemed the book for me. The book is filled with stories, self deprecating humor and is a sweet read for a dog loving person wanting a light book, but I think there are better dog lover books out there.

Thank you for NetGalley for this free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really miss Barry's weekly columns. The book was funny and poignant and appropriate for many ages.

I'm late to the party since the book is already a huge hit but wanted to say thank you Dave Barry. In the old days I would be just physically handing this title to people, now of course I simply share the title for them to do whatever is their preferred method of reading as long as they read it. What starts as a basically amusing and dear Dave Barry delight, on track with what we've come to count on when we pick up one of his titles, ends with the deeply personal and insightful chronicle of his daughter's illness. You cannot put this down and you shouldn't.(she gets better!!) I suppose one could give it a silly tag-line of Dave Barry reminds the reader what is truly important in this crazy world. But it's so much more than that. I wish I had an eighteenth of his talent to express how this is not an annoying self help journey - this is talking to a friend who makes you laugh but you have to take seriously when times get tough. Just read it.

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.

Non-stop laughs even with semi-serious musings about aging and living well. Typical Dave Barry wit along with life advice and dogs - what’s not to love? Grateful to have had the chance to read this ARC.

Dave Barry shares 7 life lessons he rediscovered from his old dog, Lucy. I got a kick out of his self-grading at the end. I give him a solid 4 stars for this heartwarming and hilarious entertainment.

I am listing a few lessons here, because they are good reminders for me. I will add them to the anti-curmudgeon manifesto I’m writing.
Make new Friends and keep the old.
Don’t Stop Having Fun – or start again.
Try Not to Judge People by their Looks, and Don’t obsess over Yours.

When I read books to review, I often highlight passages in different colors. Pink is for emotion – mostly funny but could be sad. Every chapter had multiple pink highlights and yellow ones for “this rings true.” This very funny book is clean enough to be read by your mother. The humor is clever and unforced. Barry does a hilarious bit about a phone conversation with ‘Bomcast’ that is Bob Newhart worthy.

I agree with Barry's statement that we wish people wouldn’t use Facebook for politics. Politics is spewed at us everywhere; we don’t need it between grandkid and vacation pictures. In fact, Barry ponders why at 70 his is wasting so much time on the internet. “I’m going to read more books. Before the Internet, I read books all the time. In recent years, I’ve become much more likely, when I want to read something, to go to the Internet. I’m going back to books. They’re generally less stupid, and they work during hurricanes.”

It is obvious Barry is an experienced writer. I smiled when I read,” her tail thumps the floor in a drumbeat of joy.” Lessons from Lucy is just the right length. It can be read in short bits or bytes.

I recommended this book for anyone who wants some gentle improvements in their life and thinks they spend a tad too much time online, or just wants a little drumbeat of joy. It would be a great gift book for dog owners! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this entertaining book in exchange for an honest review.

Lessons from Lucy by Dave Barry was sweet, sad, sentimental and also funny! How can someone blend all of those things into a book about their dog? Well Dave Barry can. I love Lucy and all of the things that he's allowed her to "teach" him.

Who couldn't use more humor in their life, or profound wisdom in delightful dog treat sized pellets? That's exactly what this book contains, simple, universally applicable wisdom and life lessons as exemplified by one of the world's most beloved creatures, the dog.

If read in public, beware of snorting laughter which may alarm passersby. This book is a hilarious delight that reminds us of truths we often forget in the harried, cell phone checking obsessed lives we lead. Dave Barry reminds us to: see the beauty in everyone/thing, even those we might consider a genetic mistake; to age joyfully, even if from prison; to love and forgive everyone, even the people who try 4 or more samples at the ice cream shop when there's a long line; to keep and be present with the friends you have-nothing that life-altering is happening on social media anyway; to stop being so offended, travel, and we remember that "the world is full of things that are not about you."
This book is more encouraging than coal-walking, more hopeful than a dog whose owner grabbed their favorite ball (or political figure doll) and utterly hilarious. A perfect gift for dog or humor lovers, or anyone who needs to remember not to take life too seriously. Instead, approach it with the wisdom of a dog. And go hug your pet. You're their whole world.

I used to read Dave Barry’s columns in our local paper, but the Richmond Times-Dispatch no longer carries his stories. It has been a number of years and like all of us, he has changed and matured. So much of this book reminds me of David Sedaris’s latest, Calypso. In each we have a well-loved humorist with the gift of keen observation and sharp wit, who has reached an age where he wants to turn his observations inward. No longer content just to have his audience laugh at the vagaries of society, Barry wants to make the most of his life and share his insights with his readers. To that end he gives us his lovable dog Lucy and shows us in many ways how embracing the ways of the dog can make for a life of contentment. There are no astonishing break-throughs (live in the moment, don’t hold a grudge) but each chapter is so loving, it is like one big hug shared with Barry and Lucy.
A warning, but not a spoiler, the final chapter of the book takes it out of the predictable to a level that left this reader shaken. My respect for Dave Barry as an author and a man grew immensely.
If you think you have already read as much Dave Barry as you need it, think again. This is worth your time.

Dave Barry cracks me up and I adore canine companions, so this little memoir about the lessons Dave has learned from his darling dog, Lucy, moved quickly to the top of my list. It induced many chuckles and guffaws mingled with tears of laughter and some unexpected tears of sadness. I’m very happy to say that all of the members of Dave’s family, including Lucy, are all doing well now (so you don’t need to be afraid that this book ends on a sad note), but the last section was incredibly poignant as Dave poured out his feelings about a temporary tragic illness that his daughter suffered. It was filled with honest and raw emotion and I found it very touching.

Most of the book contains Dave Barry’s light and funny musings about life in general and about how to grow old joyfully, all inspired by Lucy. My only disappointment was that I wanted to hear a little more about Lucy and a little less about life. Can I just say: I love Lucy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a digital advance review copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.