Alison Hodgson got in touch with me out of the blue to see if I’d write a back blurb for this book, then sent an advance reader copy.

Pug List deals with a heavy subject (arson) in a light way (family love and insanity exacerbated by furry love). It’s published by Zondervan, a Christian house, and it’s inspiring without being in-your-face overt. She deals with questions of love, safety, commitment, amidst sweet family stories about dogs, kids, and trying to get to work and school when you have nothing to wear–literally.

By turns sweet and terrifying, Hodgson takes us on a journey through the rebuilding of a house and a home. Regaining trust, recovering personalities, and adding a fur baby to the family on the way, she talks without sentimentality about the love of God for us, the love of mothers for families, and the love between kids and dogs. This memoir is a charmer.

In the interest of full disclosure, Little Bookstore is mentioned about 2/3 through the book, because Alison had just finished reading LB and was struck by the section recounting an encounter with a fire victim. Alison had a similar experience to the one I described while trying to replace some of things insurance had (finally) allowed her to, including several precious titles.

The Pug List comes out in April and can be pre-ordered now. We recommend asking your local bookseller to get it for you, as that gives Hodgson more points as an author than ordering online. Or order it from Powell’s if you’re not fortunate enough to have a bookstore nearby. But if you like memoirs and Christianity, you’re gonna love this sweet, surprisingly cheerful story of a family rebuilding its life, house, and confidence.