Comments (42)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 42 items
Dec 15, 2023LenRudner rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I am generally a fan of dog books, but this one ... just didn't do it for me.
Oct 10, 2023phyllis94941 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a sweet, heartwarming, tearjerker of a novel. Even if you’re not a dog person or an animal lover, this is one of those “must read” books. It's now on my favorites list. I agree with the author’s description: “So much laughter,…
Aug 27, 2023bfrpa1967 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I LOVE this book, I've recommended it to friends, and I've bought it as a gift. This has stayed with me long after reading it. Bring tissues. You're going to cry for sure, but you're going to laugh as well. It's about the love you have…
Apr 04, 2023RosaReads2 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I love this author and his blend of cheeky humor and deep poignancy. After reading The Guncle last year (a 2022 fave,) I knew I had to backtrack and read Rowley's previous two novels. Lily was up first since I had it on, then off, then…
Nov 06, 2022esrobbins rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
This was a DNF for me (did not finish). The story wasn't interesting enough for me to keep reading. I gave it a good 100+ pages, but it didn't hook me. The author seemed to be trying too hard and his writing very self centered. It…
Mar 11, 2022Faganka rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I laughed, I ugly cried. I loved it
Jun 28, 2021yellow_dog_4219 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A part of the book that bothered me was that there was a bit too much imagination coming from Lily's human. Dogs don't play monopoly, tumors aren't octopuses (although that is the main part of this book, still, tumors don't spray "ink" to…
Mar 13, 2021maipenrai rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Those of us who have repeatedly risked being owned by a cat or dog know the potential loss of loving animals. I could empathize with the struggles to destroy the threat to Lily's life, but I got tired of the octopus imagery. I think the…
Jun 30, 2020iloveseaotters rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
I can't do it. I cannot bring myself to read a book in which the dog talks and the term octopus is used for something that has nothing to do with the sea creature. I tried reading two chapters of it, but it's just not for me. And don't get…
Dec 28, 2019
Didn't love
Oct 04, 2019andreaj3 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I have never felt compelled to leave a comment on a book before this one, but this book was, in a word, beautiful. Anyone who's ever loved a pet can understand the joy, love, anger, guilt, helplessness and heartbreak that the writer…
Aug 14, 2019jontalk rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Whether dog lover or romantic, this is a story worth reading. A master of metaphor, Steven's storytelling captures your heart. Its a yin/yang balance of heart and sadness combines with reflection on what was and over time, to what's…
Jun 26, 2019IndyPL_ChaseM rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
In "Lily and the Octopus," Lily is a dachshund, and the octopus is a brain tumor that sits atop her head. Lily and her owner, Ted, spend their nights playing board games, eating pizza, and talking about cute boys. Their bond is strong…
May 13, 2019moaaberg1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A well-written book filled with wit, joy, heartbreak and hope. I laughed and cried.
May 09, 2019goldenbeetle rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A great book to read on a rainy day. Tender, sweet, and sentimental. The protagonist deals with his beloved dog, Lily, succumbing to a malignant tumor and supports her throughout the illness. Made me shed a couple of tears.
May 06, 2019snailgem rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The story was not what I expected. First of all, the octopus was evil. Also, it was a sad story, get the tissue, but very sweet.
Feb 04, 2018FabulouslyWeird rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Ted and Lily will grab your heart strings. Within you will follow a journey of true love to the end... and how life goes becomes a battlefield and how life inevitably goes on afterwards. You will not be able to just read and forget this…
Nov 14, 2017Vilka rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Very touching story about an anxiety-ridden middle-aged guy not long out of a bad break-up and now dealing with the failing health of his best friend--his aging dachshund, Lily. Humorous scenes of his mother, sister, close (human) friend,…
Nov 08, 2017HRNA04 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a great book, but beware - it’s a tearjerker! Lily is a great companion to Ted, and they’re story is a good one. The 1st chapter I was skeptical, but I really like it!
Jul 24, 2017jezicuhh rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This one had so much promise in the beginning, but totally lost me in the end. It was just too metaphorical and complicated. I wanted to call it a tear-jerker but it wasn't for me.
Jun 26, 2017WVMLlibrarianCathy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A funny, sincere, tear-jerking book for any dog lover.
May 25, 2017chopchop rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book. A must read for any dog lover.
May 08, 2017samdog123 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Pet lovers, especially dog lovers, will totally understand this book. Ted Flask learns many things along the way from his relationship with his dachshund, Lily. It's a heartwarming story--you'll feel sad, you'll feel joy and you'll laugh…
Apr 20, 2017agebook rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
WOW! I just finished this four minutes ago which in dog time is almost half an hour. Not what I expected, as in, I thought I would be able to not cry. And unexpectedly, I loved his metaphorical adventures (far better than anything Jonathan…
Mar 22, 2017marypaz13 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It was a sad novel. After reading like the second chapter, I already knew how the book was going to end. It's a slow read and a very detailed experience of losing a loved one. It's not my cup of tea but it wasn't a terrible book.