Books for the Animal Lover!

If you're anything like me (Stephanie... major animal lover), you probably love reading about animals. I'm a SUCKER for these kinds of books, especially touching stories about how someone's pet(s) impacted their lives. I'm usually either sobbing like a baby while reading these books, laughing hysterically, or sometimes both (case in point: Marley and Me by John Grogan), but I just can't get enough! Here are some recommended reads for the fellow animal lover that I absolutely love:

1. Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Greatest Dog by John Grogan: as mentioned above, this book made me laugh hysterically and also made me cry buckets. It is the classic dog lover story, and if you haven't read it yet... you MUST! You can watch the movie too, but you just have to read it first. Marley is hilarious, naughty, sweet, and lifechanging. I distinctly remember reading this in high school, late into the night because I couldn't put it down. I finished at 2:00 in the morning, and as my mother passed by me to use the restroom was quite alarmed: "are you okay?! What's wrong?" This was in response to the sobbing that was happening. Oh the tears!

2. Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love From the World's Best Therapy Dog by Melissa Baxter: this is a sweet, sweet book. It features Baxter, an incredible therapy dog, and has a number of photo essays about his work at a hospice. Your heart will be warmed by this incredibly uplifting story. Baxter has since passed away, but his legacy will live on!

3. Dewey: the Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron: This is a must read if you like cats and libraries, and really... who doesn't?! Dewey was an abandoned kitten turned library cat at a small public library in Iowa. He touched many lives and made many friends in the library, and I WANT ONE! Library cat... yes please!

4. Stay: A Novel by Allie Larkin: if you're more of a fiction fan, then Stay is a must read for you! It also happens to be by a fabulously talented and LOCAL author, Allie Larkin! It's a hilarious and heartwarming women's fiction read about a woman who drunkenly orders a German Shepard puppy online. This story has it all including family, love, and puppy antics. I love this one! How could I not?!

 

5. Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston: if you love mysteries (cozies, in particular) AND animals, then I have found the perfect series for you! Beaglemania is the first in the Pet Rescue mystery series about Lauren, a woman who runs a no-kill animal shelter, saves animals, and solves crimes! Lots of fun!