Celebrate National Dog Day with These 8 Books
By: Stephanie Elliot
Tags: Dog Books, National Dog Day, The Reading List, Books

The dog days of summer are almost behind us, and since August 26 is National Dog Day, we wanted to celebrate by sharing some “pup”-ular books we love! We’ve got something here for everyone, since you’re never too young (or old) to be a dog lover. Honor precious pooches of all kinds by checking out some of our favorite dog books.

Heart of Barkness by Spencer Quinn

MURDER AND MAYHEM

Do you love stories about dogs and stories about crime? Well then, you must read this Chet & Bernie mystery. Told from the perspective of Chet the dog, Heart of Barkness is set in the world of country music. When Bernie and Chet set out to see country singer Lotty Pilgrim perform in a local bar, they didn’t expect a thief stealing from the tip jar. In their most puzzling case, Chet and Bernie are thrown into a search for a criminal that might end in murder.

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph

FOR THE KIDS

For ages 4–8, Odd Dog Out is a colorful and whimsical book about a dog who lives in the big city but doesn’t really fit in, so she goes on a journey to find the place she’s meant to be, but ends up right back where she started. Odd Dog Out offers a great lesson on the importance of staying true to yourself, and will inspire little ones to believe in themselves. Plus, cute puppy illustrations!

Doctor Dogs by Maria Goodavage

NON-FICTION

This fascinating book looks at the cutting-edge science behind how dogs are able to detect disease and aid people who suffer from a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, including cancer, Parkinson’s, diabetes, sleep disorders, autism, and schizophrenia. One doesn’t have to be a dog lover to be inspired by the narrative, as well as be charmed by the humor inherent in some of the stories of the dogs, who are performing life-saving tasks for the simple rewards of a treat, a toy, or a pat on the head.

Of Mutts and Men (A Chet & Bernie mystery) by Spencer Quinn

DOG DETECTIVES

Here’s another great read with the “most lovable [dog] narrator in all of crime fiction.” When PI Bernie and his dog partner are called to meet with hydrologist Wendell Nero, they discover Wendell is dead. The duo sets out to solve the mystery, and Bernie is afraid that the wrong man has been arrested for the murder. As the two sniff out the case, it’s likely that they’ll be in more danger than ever before. Of Mutts and Men is the tenth installment of the Chet & Bernie Mystery Books, a NYT and USA Today bestselling series.

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Leslie Connor

A MIDDLE-GRADE READ

A Junior Library Guild selection, this middle-grade read is the story of 13-year-old Lydia, who moves in with her aunt after her mom dies. Not a dog person, Lydia is soon joined by a big yellow dog that her aunt and wife take in. This is the “world’s best bad dog” and Lydia wants nothing to do with his annoying habits of peeing in the house, escaping, and barking. While Lydia starts to keep secrets, and the dog’s antics continue, the mystery of the yellow dog and what he means to Lydia will soon become apparent. A story about love and loss, and a dog that is the best at being bad, A Home for Goddesses and Dogs is an utter delight.

Love Can Be: A Literary Collection about Our Animals Edited by Louisa McCune and Teresa Miller

ANTHOLOGY

An anthology of poems and prose, Love Can Be is a collection from thirty authors who share stories about all sorts of animals: frogs, butterflies, bears, cats, raccoons, horses… and of course, dogs. These stories include contributions from Dean Kootz, Delia Ephron, Jill McCorkle, Joyce Carol Oates, Wade Rouse, S.E. Hinton and Julia Alvarez, just to name a few. An original poem called “The Cat,” an essay about the connection between baboons and opera, and a tribute to the last male white rhino round out these stories that are artistic gifts to the reader. Note from the publisher: The Kirkpatrick Foundation will donate all net proceeds of sales of this volume to animal charities in Oklahoma as well as honoraria donated to the contributors’ selected animal charities.

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

ADULT FICTION

Ted is a gay, single writer struggling with intimacy, and the only connection he has is with Lily, his elderly dachshund. When Lily gets sick, Ted promises to do whatever he can to save her. This hilarious and poignant story spins into magical realism, reminding readers what it’s like to feel the fierceness of love, how to fight for what we love, and how it is so difficult to let go.

Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You by Clive D.L. Wynn

THE SCIENCE OF PUPPY LOVE

Of course you love your dog, but how does he feel about you, really? Canine behaviorist and author Clive Wynne has researched this phenomenon in Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You. Through extensive worldwide studies, Wynne shows readers that the essence of a dog is affection, from the expression on their faces to how they wag their tail, through their brains, hormones, and even their DNA. If you’ve ever had the gift of loving a dog and having one love you back, Dog Is Love is essential reading.