"In Bed" with Susan Orlean
Posted by Goodreads on October 3, 2011
Animal enthusiast Susan Orlean keeps chickens, cattle, ducks, guinea fowl, three cats, and a Welsh springer spaniel named Cooper at her home in upstate New York. But a German shepherd is the star of her new book, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend. The staff writer at The New Yorker grew up in Cleveland watching The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin on television. Now she turns her pen to the dog that was rescued from a World War I battlefield by American soldier Lee Duncan and went on to become a Hollywood legend, complete with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Orlean spent ten years researching the life of Rin Tin Tin and his canine successors, whose careers spanned silent film, radio, and television. It's quite a deviation from her last major work of nonfiction, The Orchid Thief, in 1999. Orlean shares her favorite books "about dogs, featuring dogs, picturing dogs, and musing about dogs."
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
"This is the book that taught me—and millions of kids—the sweetness and sadness that comes with being in love with a dog. It's also the first book that ever made me sob uncontrollably, and I've never forgotten it. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but it's also beautifully written and evokes life in Texas farm country as well as any book for grown-ups."
"This is the book that taught me—and millions of kids—the sweetness and sadness that comes with being in love with a dog. It's also the first book that ever made me sob uncontrollably, and I've never forgotten it. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but it's also beautifully written and evokes life in Texas farm country as well as any book for grown-ups."
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
"A dead dog, but still a dog, that provides a perfect jumping-off point for a marvelous story. The book is proof that a dog doesn't have to be alive to be a good character."
"A dead dog, but still a dog, that provides a perfect jumping-off point for a marvelous story. The book is proof that a dog doesn't have to be alive to be a good character."
Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
"The ultimate dog book/road book, Steinbeck's 1960 journey around the country is still fresh. Charley makes a great, cheerful foil to Steinbeck's gloomy observations. And who doesn't dream about throwing the dog in the back of a camper and just roaming around, seeing what there is to see?"
"The ultimate dog book/road book, Steinbeck's 1960 journey around the country is still fresh. Charley makes a great, cheerful foil to Steinbeck's gloomy observations. And who doesn't dream about throwing the dog in the back of a camper and just roaming around, seeing what there is to see?"
Dog Dogs by Elliot Erwitt
"Five hundred incredible photographs that happen to be of dogs, taken by Magnum photographer Erwitt; the result is sheer, unadulterated pleasure."
"Five hundred incredible photographs that happen to be of dogs, taken by Magnum photographer Erwitt; the result is sheer, unadulterated pleasure."
Dog Is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World's Oldest Friendship, from the editors of The Bark
"Ann Patchett, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, Mark Doty, Caroline Knapp, Alice Walker, Mark Derr, Rick Bass, Tom Junod, Erica Jong, Maxine Kumin, plus dogs. What's not to like?"
"Ann Patchett, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, Mark Doty, Caroline Knapp, Alice Walker, Mark Derr, Rick Bass, Tom Junod, Erica Jong, Maxine Kumin, plus dogs. What's not to like?"
Vote for your own favorites on Listopia: Great "Dog" Books
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Deb
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Oct 04, 2011 10:10AM
To this list, I must add The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. A flawed but still fascinating book with a truly memorable dog,the wonderful Almondine.
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What about My Dog Tulip by J. R. Ackerley?
"Pack of Two" by Caroline Knapp tells the love story between the author and her German Shepherd.
If a cat lover can have a say:John Grogan - Marley and Me (laugh out loud funny because I didn't have to clean up the messes)
Any of Jon Katz' books about his dogs. I started with
"A Good Dog": The Story of Orson, who changed my life.
"The Incredible Journey" -Sheila Burnford ...two dogs, one cat
Any of James Herriots books, all of them will have a dog in there somewhere,(look for Tricky Woo) and they are so worth the time reading, starting with:
"All Creatures Great and Small".
"The Call of the Wild", and" White Fang" by Jack London.
And for bringing together kids and dogs, Stephanie Calmenson's:"Rosie, A Visiting Dog's Story" and "May I Pet Your Dog?"
To foster empathy in kids: "Maggie's Second Chance: A Gentle Dog's Rescue." And just for laughs, the witty quips in "Why I'd Rather Date My Dog: Musings for Savvy Singles."
A humble suggestion by author- try https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... Jack the Dog: and His Boy is highly rated by many at Amazon. I will send ebook free if you contact me. Wishing what every good dog already sees in you, the Best.
Victor Brodt
The Art of Racing in the RainTimbuktu
sorry--can't recall the authors right now
Dog On It, by Spencer Quinn and the 3 subsequent books. Bernie the private detective and Chet, his big dog-sidekick, who narrates.
Deb wrote: "To this list, I must add The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. A flawed but still fascinating book with a truly memorable dog,the wonderful Almondine."Almondine's last 'chapter' is probably the saddest thing I've ever read. A really wonderful insight as to how a dog's mind might work.
Pradeep wrote: "JAMES HERRIOT????"You've never heard of his books? or you don't think they belong in this list of suggestions?
James Herriot was his pen name, but the real man was a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales of England. He wrote wonderful books of his experiences as a vet spanning many years. He was also a dog owner and lover of dogs himself. Many of the stories contain dogs, either tangentially or as the main focus and he usually treated his own dog, (Rosie, if I remember correctly no, I didn't, Rosie was his daughter, Guess I'll be reading them again!!) as one of the characters in the book.
I know these books are not popular in this current age, but check them out on Goodreads and I think you will find they are rated consistently 4 stars or higher.
He even has a specific collection titled 'James Herriot's Dog Stories'
Tom wrote: "Where the Red Fern Grows."I loved this book by Wilson Rawls, a sad and wonderful story of a young boy, Billy, and the two Redbone Coonhounds he bought and trained. It's about growing up in poverty in the Ozark mountains and how the love and loving dogs can change your life. It should definetely be on the list.
Jo wrote: "Pradeep wrote: "JAMES HERRIOT????"You've never heard of his books? or you don't think they belong in this list of suggestions?
James Herriot was his pen name, but the real man was a veterinari..."
My favorite story in James Herrito's Favorite Dog Stories is "Roy From Rags to Riches". It's a story of how love and care can change the life of an abused Golden Retriever. I cry every time I read it.
John wrote: "The Art of Racing in the RainTimbuktu
sorry--can't recall the authors right now"
Victor wrote: "A humble suggestion by author- try https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... Jack the Dog: and His Boy is highly rated by many at Amazon. I will send ebook free if you contact me.
Wishing what e..."
The author is Garth Stein. He also wrote a book for children called Racing in the Rain.
I absolutely adore James Herriot. His books are better than therapy. :)'My Dog Skip' is a wonderful little book, beautifully written by Willie Morris.
"Let's Take The Long Way Home: A Memoir of Friendship" by Gail Caldwell. It's a story about life and death with human and dog friends. Can't even type this without choking up.
And how about "A Dog's Purpose" by W. Bruce Cameron, about one dog reincarnated into 4 who can save everyone's life but his own. Rings true to us dog lovers who believe our dogs somehow take care of us when we think it is us taking care of them.
What about Albert Payson Terhune? I loved his books about dogs as a child.
Dog Is My Co-Pilot is one of my favorites
Every Night Josephine by jacqueline susann
Please read "A Dog's Purpose". The best doggy book I have ever read.
Hurry Home, Candy. 1953 Newbery award winner by Meindert de Jong. I still cry when I read how the 'good man' realizes the dog is terrified by brooms and tosses the broom out and into a tree. When Candy sees the 'enemy' is gone she can finally Hurry Home.
Great suggestions (above) from many people. Might add the "Good Dog Carl" books for very young children - no text (or little text), just wonderful pictures of a Rottweiler who watches over a child.
John wrote: "The Art of Racing in the RainTimbuktu
sorry--can't recall the authors right now"
Timbuktu is by Paul Auster - great suggestion! I forgot about that one, but loved it!
Don't forget about the novel Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune.
As a pugophile, I'm compelled to add: Clara: The Early Years: The Story of the Pug Who Ruled My Life by Margo Kaufman. It's a hoot.
Travels with Charlie is on audio read by Gary Sinese and one of the best car trip books you could ever want to listen to, even if you can't have your dog on the ride with you.
An absolutely amazing book - Merle's Door, Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote. It will change the way you think about man's relationship with dogs.
Jo and Sherry, I've read all of Herriot's books. I was expressing my surprise that he wasn't already mentioned here. By the way, he didn't write 'dog books'. His books contained dog stories among others. The volume 'James Herriot's Favorite Dog Stories' is a collection of dog stories from his books.
What about Lassie? I have read all of the James Herriot books, and the books about Lad.
Timbuktu by Paul Auster, absolutely amazing
The Scent of the Missing is a great book about canine search and rescue. Also, For the Love of Dogs, Patricia B. McConnell
"Maya's First Rose" by Martin Scot Kosins is a wonderful story about a man's love and devotion for his dog. It's really quite beautiful.
