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Welcome to the book tour for You Will Have a Black Labrador by Nino Gugunishvili! Today you’re getting a peek inside her book as well as some insight into who she is. Enjoy an excerpt and her Top 10 list! And then follow the tour for more. Be sure to leave questions and comments along the way and then enter the great giveaway!

Love, memories, family, enduring friendships, cooking, movies, dogs, travels, hairstyles, and saying Yes to many No’s in a witty, yet often sentimental, journey of self-discovery…

You Will Have a Black Labrador is a collection of semiautobiographical essays forming a narrative about a modern Georgian woman. Her stories range from the search for a perfect romantic partner to exploring food as an integral part of the Georgian culture. Many of the vignettes center on childhood memories or weird family traditions, such as the way family members stay connected no matter if they’re deceased or alive. One essay reveals how making a simple omelette can change your life; and that No can be the most powerful word in any language. She shows us, too, that a haircut can be a tribute to the movies you love as well as a path to your freedom; and how owning a dog always brings unexpected experiences. In this poignantly humourous collection, reality mixes and interferes with an imaginative world in so many surprising ways.

Read an excerpt:

Whenever my mother tells me she had a dream seeing my grandmother, or my grandfather, my grandmother’s sister, my father, or my nanny, then recounts in detail what they talked about, I don’t think that she’s out of her mind.

I only become slightly more cautious. Sometimes I’m even angry, at them, for appearing in our dreams, and only just checking on us, not saying anything expectedly wise, not telling us the stories from their otherworldly experiences. Isn’t their mission to guide us through, spreading titbits of wisdom or any life-affirming messages around?

We’ve always lived together: Mom, Dad, my brother, me, my grandmother, and my nanny. There were two grandfathers I never met, because, sadly, they passed away long before I was born, but who nevertheless were always most actively present in our lives. ‘Never met in person’ would actually be more appropriate here. Their presence was strong through many photographs we had and lots of personal belongings. I remember my grandfather’s compass and a stopwatch and a cigar case my father kept in his study, and brought out from time to time.

The ‘till death do us part’ concept never worked in our case, since it seemed we were not parted by death from our relatives. Those who passed away stayed with us, talked to us, came in our dreams, and occasionally gave advice. There were no ghostly stories, ghost whisperers, or psychic readings involved...

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Top 10 Things About Me

I don’t ski, and I don’t snowboard, but nevertheless, most of all, I love winter—the smell of the snow in the crisp wintery air and the anticipation of newness it’s bringing. I’m undoubtedly the worst cook you’ll ever find, but I love tasting food, mainly Georgian and Italian cuisines. They are the best, and for me, delicious food paired with a glass of wine shared with friends is a secret to happiness!

Travel is probably at the top of my favorite things; at various stages of my life, I’ve traveled a lot, and besides my hometown, Tbilisi, I’d always return to Paris and New York.

Dogs! I’m a dog lover, but you probably know it already since it’s in my book title.

I am a total movie/TV shows junkie (an excellent excuse for being slightly antisocial quite often). I can now hear my friends laughing at the word “slightly.” Okay, honestly? They’re right. I can easily spend days reading or watching TV without going out. My family members are seriously concerned that I lack vitamin D. In my defense, I have to say that good books and movies are worth a tiny vitamin D deficiency. Don’t be surprised if any of my future books will have a dedication to my comfy couch!

When I’m writing, I usually tend to discuss it, as I’m getting obsessed with the story I’m working on. Luckily, I have loyal friends with angelic patience, ready to listen to my endless ramblings. Among the things that I could list as the least favorites are: shopping, car rides, summer heat, deadlines, and I don’t feel very comfortable with people lacking a sense of humor, not that I’ve met many, but still. All of my books are to various parts autobiographical, so I’d recommend reading them to get to know me a little better. ☺

“You Will Have a Black Labrador” is Nino Gugunishvili’s recently released collection of short essays. She is also the author of a women’s fiction novel, Friday Evening, Eight O’Clock, published in English and Russian. She resides in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Twitter: @NinoGuguni

Instagram: ngugunishvili

Facebook Author page: Nino Gugunishvili

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14276355.Nino_Gugunishvili

Nino Gugunishvili will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.