The Howliday Gift Guide Week continues with Book Day! As you’re lounging by the fireplace with your cocoa and your furball, you might be looking for some reading material to pass the hours in the dark December nights. Fortunately I’ve got you covered:
1. Ted Kerasote’s Pukka: The Pup After Merle.
I haven’t read the precursor to this, the bestselling Merle’s Door, so I can’t compare the two, but on its own Pukka is a lovely journey of life with a dog. What sets this book apart from the standard dog memoir is the format: it’s almost more of a journal than a book, and I mean that in a good way.
Every page has color photographs, illustrating the story with the visual evidence of a puppydom well lived. The scenery in Wyoming is beautiful, and Kerasote’s photography transports you to the green and sunny mountain world of a puppy living the good life. I almost felt guilty reading it next to Brody, who has never white water rafted, climbed in the snow, or scooted down a rocky mountain. Then I got over it.
For more on the author, click here.
2. The Complete Works of James Herriot
It’s not exactly an unexpected or little-known series, but Herriot is the Mark Twain of the animal author set. Anyone who has penned a heartfelt animal memoir owes a debt of gratitude to him to making the bond we share with our pets accessible and celebrated. The world he inhabited as a vet is not the one I inherited, and I always welcome the reprieve from the modern world.
I know I’ve mentioned this book already here on the site, but seriously, it’s that good. Dr. Nancy Kay’s guide to being your pet’s advocate is insightful for both consumers and animal healthcare providers: thorough, compassionate, and full of solid advice for optimizing your pet’s healthcare experience.
4. Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs
If cute kitties are your bag, you no doubt have the Cheezburger site in your bookmarks for your daily dose of LOLcats. This third installment brings the “awwwws” with page after page of cute guaranteed to melt even the Grinchiest heart. As long as they like kittens, that is.
Giveaway!
I have one copy of Pukka: the Pup After Merle to give away to one of you. To enter, simply respond below with your favorite book (and it doesn’t even have to be a pet book!)
Winner will be selected by random.org at noon, December 7 2010. US/Canada only.
FTC Disclosure: A review copy of Pukka: The Pup After Merle was provided by the publisher. No other compensation was provided for the review. The other books were selected from my own collection. Amazon links are NOT affiliate links.
And the Pukka goes to: Elliott, our Roald Dahl fan! Congratulations!
One favorite book? Do you mean favorite book to read beside the lake on a warm sunny day? Or the favorite book to take with you on the bus? Or the favorite book to thumb through while listening to music? What a tough question.
Ok, the first book(s) that came to mind were Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Bridge by Evan Connell. They are two books about the same family. In one, Connell writes from the viewpoint of the patriarch. In the other, he writes from the point of view of the matriarch. Brilliant!
I would say my favorite book is “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin.
I have loved all the James Herriot books for years but am happy to learn about a new pet classic! Thanks Dr. V!
Favorite book overall is probably To Kill a Mockingbird. Favorite dog book (non-fiction): A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz and favorite dog book (fiction) might have to be Watchers, also by Dean Koontz. I just got Speaking for Spot (bought one during the blogathon) and I’m really looking forward to reading it!
Two of my favorite fiction books are The Help and The Poisonwood Bible. For a dog book, I loved Merle’s Door and am looking forward to reading Pukka.
I have many favorites, the most recent is “Wesley the Owl: A story of an owl and his girl.”
Man, I LOVE Merle’s door. No idea he had written again.
As to my favorite book… That is a hard pick. I guess, if it doesn’t have to be a dog book I have to go with one of the Harry Potter books… Perhaps Half Blood Prince.
My favorite book? I have too many. So, I’ll stick with pet books… Um, still too many! LOL. I’ll go with “Marley & Me”. Although, I loved James Herriot series “All Creatures Great and Small” too. Hmm… No, no, no. Don’t make me choose! LOL. 😀
Keeping it to pet books, I loved Dewey, the story of the library cat in Iowa… and a book written by a cat psychologist, “Hiss and Tell” – for great stories and insights into cat psychology.
I could not pick just one favorite book, even if I limit it to animals. But some of them would be Watership Down, The Abandoned, Beyond Rope and Fence, The Good Dog, Finn….so many good books!
It’s difficult to pick an absolute favorite book, but I particularly love The Fur Person by May Sarton.
I checked out the site for Ted Kerasote’s Pukka: The Pup After Merle. It looks lovely and heartwarming.
I have too many favorite books to just name one. A lot of my reading lately has been about the relationship between dogs and people. I just finished “Walking Wisdom: Three Generations, Two Dogs, and the Search for a Happy Life” by Gotham Chopra with Deepak Chopra.
“.. I could no sooner choose a favorite star in heavens…” or something like that. I’ll go with Howard’s End.
Hm… lots and lots of favorites! But to name one, the Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
Thank you for highlighting some new books on animals. There are so many good reads. I loved Dewey & Merle’s Door. Also enjoyed the fictious, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” which featured a dog & his race car driver.
Great giveaway, and please dont consider me for this giveaway as I was lucky enough to win Dr Kay’s “Speaking for Spot” during the blogathon. I am currently engrossed in it. I consider it one of th emost important books I’ll read for a pet parent. On the animal welfare side “Redemption, the myth of pet overpopulation and the No Kill revolution in America” is the most important book I have ever read, period. Eye opening. I am just commenting here to say Thanks Dr. V for the blogathon and for the book and thanks to Dr. Kay as well. Happy Holidays!
Hmmm, I also have a hard time trying to pick just one book! Although my good ol’ standbys are Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables. If I ever need a little pick-me-up, those will do it. 🙂
Can’t pick a favorite, it is not possible..I did very much enjoy the Dune series..
Watchers by Dean Koontz. Who doesn’t love Einstein a/k/a Fur Face? And you have to feel bad for the Outsider. Cry my eyes out every time.
Pet Books – I have loved James Herriot’s stories for many, many years. Latest treasure has to be A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.
Let’s see? Right now I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper and it’s great. Also reading Sacred Hearts which is wonderful. Merle’s Door made me wish I could give all dogs that life especially the scared ones. From your take on the new one it sounds like Pukka is getting that life too. Pukka is on my library reading list.
My father used to read me the James Herriot books as bedtime stories. I grew up loving his turn of phrase and style of humour. I hope to inherit my father’s copies one day.
I don’t really have a favourite book, not really. Though I agree with Leigh that Anne of Green Gables always makes me feel better about things.
One of my favorite dog books is A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz. I read it just after putting my Daisy to sleep and while a heartwrenching read, it was such a fabulously written story!
My favorite books are The Mrs. Murphy Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown.
I enjoy the characters and especially the furry ones.
Orson by Jon Katz
One of my favorite books is My Dog Tulip by J.R. Ackerley. 🙂
definitely Vet in a Spin by James Herriot for the “animal book”. I think it’s about the 3rd or 4th one in the series.
fantasy book would have to be something by Mercedes Lackey. she has telepathic, smart arse horses and telepathic birds of prey in her books. I just love the idea of a horse that talks.
I second Kellee’s comments on Speaking for Spot – it’s #1 on my list – and is one you will read cover to cover and then continue to go back to. Also love James Herriot and another favorite – Where the Red Fern Grows.
I’m going to step on the other side of the fence and say my favorite CAT book is the LIttle Golden Books, Charlie. I will always love scrawny orange cats and “tigers in the grass.”
I have loved Matilda ever since I read it at age 9. I can still curl up with it (or any of Roald Dahl, for that matter) and enjoy the heck out of my evening.
Give your dog loving friend or family member Speaking for Spot. You will do them a huge favor!
My favorite books are the Twilight saga books 🙂
vschilke at gmail dot com
There’s no way I can pick a favorite book, so I’ll go with favorite childhood pet book: Where the Red Fern Grows. Makes me cry to this day!
Gone with the Wind is my favorite!
I loved Merle’s Door and didn’t even know there was a “sequel.” Pride & Prejudice will always be my favorite book, though, as much as I love all these dog books!
Same here… I didn’t realize Merle’s door had a sequel. I really enjoyed that book.
My favorite is William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying.
My most recent favorite is “Scent of the Missing.” I’ve been doing K9 Nosework for about a year now, and the similarities to SAR made for very good reading!!! I don’t think I could pick an all-time favorite – I read constantly! Perhaps the Belgariad, by David Eddings.
My favorite book would have to be “Marley & Me”. I read the book before seeing the movie and I have to admit, I am truly a sap. I was crying the entire time I was reading the book and watching the movie. Just loved it and would read it again. Thanks for the giveaway!
My favourite book is DogStar. It’s about Patsy Ann, the Bull Terrier that welcomed cruise ships in Juneau, Alaska.
Where the sidewalk ends thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com