New year, new you, the saying goes. But we, the shop dogs of Parnassus Books, wonder — what if you like the old you just fine? As we gallop into 2018, we feel quite content to keep working on the same goals we’ve always had: enjoying daily naps, making new friends every day, and taking a deep inhale from a fresh book as often as possible.
Each of us has our own thing to work on, of course. Opie, for example, still wants to conquer his fear of the water bowl. (Maybe a copy of My Friend Fear would help?)
Lewis maintains his commitment to representing the store in a fashion-forward way at all times.
Sparky will never give up on his dream to drive the bookmobile, Parnassus on Wheels. He’ll do it one day. JUST YOU WATCH.
Bear’s still working on his goal to lean on every human who walks through our doors.
Mary Todd Lincoln dreams of whooping somebody in a game of chess. Or at least chewing the heads off those tasty chess pieces.
Eleanor Roosevelt will stop at nothing to reach her goal of optimum warmth.
Frankie comes to work with the same resolution every day: to hide under the table until everyone panics and starts calling “Frankie? Frankie!” and then to jump out and bark, SURPRISE! It’s a simple goal, but deeply satisfying. (Maybe she’s been reading A Simplified Life?)
Leonard, as always, struggles with his competing impulses to stay fit and to devour every stick, food wrapper, and mystery object he finds on the ground. (This may be the year he consults the Whole30 guide.)
In short, make resolutions if you must, but remember: we love you just the way you are. If you’d like to keep being your wonderful self but just a tad healthier or happier, we support that, too. Perhaps you’ll join us at one of the events below, perfect for jump-starting a new year. And there are loads more books where these came from — come say hello and we’ll help you sniff one out.
– the shop dogs
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- Meera Lee Patel, creator of the Start Where You Are journal and the new book My Friend Fear — TOMORROW, Thursday, January 4, at 6:30 p.m.
- Emily Ley, author of A Simplified Life as well as a prior book on a similar theme, Grace, Not Perfection — Tuesday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m.
- Melissa Hartwig, author of Whole30 Day by Day and Whole30 Fast & Easy — Sunday, January 14, at 2 p.m.
Musing 