Connie’s Book Club
Curl up with a good dog and a good book
Curl up with a good dog and a good book. Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of this summer’s must reads.
Dog Love By Ann DeVito
Mastiffs to Chihuahuas and every dog in between are represented in this beautifully illustrated collection exploring the diversity of dogs. Each dog breed is accompanied by a brief bio describing their unique personalities, an apropos quote from the likes of Johnny Depp, Pablo Picasso, and Marilyn Monroe, and a stunning illustration by DeVito. The images embody the quintessential features of each dog breed, bringing them to life as you flip the pages of this thoroughly sweet read!
Just Life By Neil Abramson
Neil Abramson, author of the acclaimed Unsaid and award recipient for his legal work on behalf of animals, returns with his latest novel exploring the interconnectedness of humans and animals. When an unidentified virus spreads across the New York City neighbourhood of Riverside, animals receive the blame: first birds, then dogs, leading to an enforced quarantine of all dogs in the area. Samantha Lewis, a local vet and owner of a no-kill shelter, finds herself at the heart of this ordeal, taking in more dogs than she can manage. With the help of an unlikely crew (a parish priest, a troubled foster child, and a former psychologist, to name a few) Samantha copes with the situation, battling her own demons along the way. The riveting story rolls to an intense and unforgettable climax—you’ve got to read it!
Lily & the Octopus By Steven Rowley
With emotional depth and a magical spirit, this heartbreakingly lovely novel will definitely cue the tears, in the best way possible. Steven Rowley’s debut novel is about that special someone in your life, the one you trust and can’t live without; for his protagonist, Ted Flask, that someone just so happens to be a loveable Dachshund named Lily. Rowley’s refreshing wit is moving combined with sharp insight to produce a deeply relatable, endearingly real portrayal of grief, personal struggle, and the powerful relationships we form with our four-legged loved ones. This is a book you’ll want to share.