It’s a lazy day and I don’t feel like working or house cleaning, so I reach for a book, curl up under a fuzzy throw blanket  and settle in for a nice relaxing time to myself. And lo and behold, that book is about dogs! There may be other topics in this world, but I figure when my time is limited, and I’m looking for a good read, it may as well feature (or at least include) a dog! And reading a book with a dog curled up by your side….all the better!

So what are some of your favorite dog books? It could be one you remember someone reading to you when you were a child, snuggled together in a comfy chair. It could be the first chapter book you read independently, barely able to wait to find out what happens next. It could be an old classic or a new release. Fiction or non-fiction. Something that touched your heart or moved you to be a better pet parent.

I’ve recommended many of my favorites over and over: A Dog’s Purpose, Through a Dog’s Eyes, The Possibility Dogs, The Art of Racing in the Rain.  Here are a few I’ve read, or re-read, so far this year:

A Dog’s Perfect Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron—  There’s never a wrong time to read a Christmas book! Most of us who love dog books already know Bruce Cameron and his books, A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Journey and more. He has such a wonderful knack for getting inside a dog’s head and illustrating what that dog must be feeling and thinking.  His newest book conveys my favorite theme–how dogs can help us through our darkest moments and deepest struggles.

Thoughts of Dog by Matt Nelson—  I recently became acquainted with Thoughts of Dog through social media: Thoughts of Dogs (@Dog_feelings) and WeRateDogs (@Dog_rates). I like warm and fuzzy, and this book is the warmest and fuzziest! It’s a short book of adorable drawings and musings of one unnamed yellow dog, devoted to his humans and his stuffed “fren'” Sebastian the elephant. You’ll like the page-a-day calendar too–good for starting off your day with a smile.

Mercury & Sirius by Debbie Garcia-Bengochea— Full disclosure, this one is written by a good friend of mine, as well as the co-author of my forthcoming book, Mini Horse, Mighty Hope (Revell, fall 2021).  Filled with fantasy-like photographs, it’s the true story of a dog and a miniature horse who become best friends, despite their differences. What a wonderful lesson for us all!

The Ultimate Pet Friendly Road Trip by Amy Burkert–  We may not be traveling as much this year, but when you are ready to travel this resource is the best, because of course you’ll want to travel with your dog! You’ll learn where to go, what hotels to stay in and many other pet-friendly suggestions. The book is thorough and informative and chock full of the best tips and photos (just look at that cover!).

One I want to read (even though it’s a kid’s book):

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate– I enjoyed the painfully sad yet hopeful book The One and Only Ivan, although I think it is still too mature to read to my granddaughters. So I’m anxious to take a peek at this book about Ivan’s buddy, the stray dog Bob.

Here are some dog books I want to read just based on their cover:

And this amuses me, because this same dog model who is on the cover of one of my books, Faithfully Yours, is also:

  on these book covers:     and in this web article 

Of course it feels wrong not to mention my own books, after all shouldn’t an author consider her own books as “must reads”? But that is not the point of this post so I will just say that if you want to pick up one of my books this year I would certainly be blessed and grateful! And if you’re not familiar with them, you can find a listing of them on the sidebar or on my website. Let’s just say, you can bet that they’re all about dogs!

Now it’s your turn! Let’s woof about those favorite dog books in your life! Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? Did you have a favorite dog book in your childhood? What draws you in to a dog book? What would you like to read about that you haven’t seen yet?