What happens when your life’s work becomes obsolete?
Dogs Chase Cars explores this question through the eyes of J.P. Pasquale, a longtime sports columnist whose world is shrinking by the hour. As Pasquale takes one last slow drive through the suburbs of Kansas, he reflects on decades spent chasing stories, deadlines, and a dream that exacted more than it ever gave back.
The novel is structured like a day-in-the-life, but its emotional range spans generations. Through flashbacks, we see a man once at the top of his game, covering World Series games, breaking stories in unlikely places (even a restroom), and building a loyal readership. But we also see the cost: a marriage, personal relationships, and a slowly failing heart.
What makes the book stand out isn’t just its portrayal of one man’s midlife reckoning, it’s Sangimino’s ability to blend humor, regret, and resilience in every chapter. J.P. is infuriating, charming, deeply human. And you’ll find yourself rooting for him even when he doesn’t root for himself.
This is a novel for anyone who has given their all to a passion, only to watch the world move on without them.
