By chance, I recently heard Gretchen Rubin’s podcast on the concept of “Dogust.” She was referring to August 1, the universal birthday celebration for rescue dogs. August is also officially National Dog Month. I am not sure if this intentionally coincides with the dog days of summer, but it seems likely.
“Dog Days” was originally an astronomical term for an intense period of heat during the appearance of Sirius (the Dog Star), which is part of the constellation Canis Major. Ancient civilizations noticed this star appeared in the eastern sky at dawn during midsummer. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the “Dog Days” are the 40 days from July 3 to August 11. The film Dog Stars, based on one of my favorite books, is also being released at the end of this month.
This month, I am combining all of this doggish joy into a deep dive around dogs. No shade to cats here; I will list a few cat-centered books in the footnote1.
It’s no surprise that dogs play key roles in books. They are our best friends, our closest companions. They accompany us out into the world, and are our buddies when we are at home. They join us in cars and boats; they lead the way on land and water. They can survive on their own and find their way back to us. All these characteristics are useful in plotting books. Here are some fabulous doggish books to try:
The Ferryman and His Wife - Luna the rescue dog is Lars’ best friend (Review below).
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - A meet-cute at a dog park.
Dog Show by Billy Collins - Come for the art, stay for the poetry.
Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt- Part of a charming dog-centered mystery series.
The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers - A children’s book that I recommend for adults as well. The sequel will be out in 2027. I love this book so much!!
The Art of Racing in the Rain - by Garth Stein. Enzo, a golden retriever, reflects on his life. There was a point about 15 years ago when everyone was reading this book.
The Dog’s Gaze by Thomas Laqueur - Dogs, fine art, and history. A beautifully illustrated survey.
Dog Only Knows by Alison Friend - Charming and hard not to smile while enjoying these joyful portraits of our best friend.
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Rizden - A touching bond between an old man and his dog, Sixten.
The Book Your Dog Wishes You Would Read by Louise Glazebrook - Advice for dog owners.
Dog Songs by Mary Oliver - more dog poetry by a beloved poet.
Bookish Links (with and without dogs)
The cutest and most creative ideas for gifting books!
This list of fantastic book-to-movie adaptations
A fun list of children’s books about dogs.
The trailer for the movie Dog Stars.
Recent Reads (In each of these books, a dog plays a small but impactful role in the book)
Let’s talk about one of the best books of 2027 that continues to fly off our shelves. Land by Maggie O’Farrell is a gorgeously written novel about a small family living off the land in Ireland after the Great Hunger. It begins with a jolt as we meet Tomas and his son, Laim, assessing the land and creating maps for the British Ordnance Survey. When Tomas steps into an ancient bog, he has a mystical experience that changes the course of his family’s life. It’s hard to explain why this novel is so good — my words are inadequate.
First, O’Farrell’s writing is magical. She creates a world that feels real, one that immerses the reader in a time and place far away. This book is a beautiful meditation on the struggle of life, the resilience of the human spirit, and the role powerful entities (including Church and State) have on individuals struggling to put food on the table. All this is wrapped in a book about a small, unexceptional family that keeps going. I will mention that there is an amazing dog in this book, an Irish Wolfhound, whose loyalty and bravery are unceasing. I was a bit surprised when this book was given a June publication date, as this is not what I would consider a summer read, but sales have been great. If you are considering what might make a good read as the weather cools and the skies turn grey, it would be hard to go wrong by spending time, wrapped in a blanket, and immersing yourself in Land. [Published: 6/26 Pages: 400]
This short Norwegian book has been beckoning me for quite some time, and I finally made time to read it. The book follows Nils Vic on his last day on earth. He lives on a remote fjord ferrying people to and fro. His life was filled with a beloved wife, two children, and a dog that accompanied him for many years on his boat. This last day is a look back on the people and interactions that impacted his life. First, he picks up his dog, Luna, to travel with him, and as we go through the book, we revisit his best friend, a teacher, and his beloved wife, Marta. This book is more than a fable; it’s a beautiful meditation on the lives we live. It reminded me a bit of When the Cranes Fly South (which I read last August), a bit of A Man Called Ove (as he reminisces about his childhood). What is it about these Scandinavian writers that are able to write these wonderfully poignant, occasionally sad books that make us pause and consider the family, friends, and choices we make in our lives? These books are not about regret or judgement, but are more about reflection and looking back. This book hit at a particularly poignant time in our family, and I am so glad it found me when it did. [Published: 11/25; Pages: 176]
Country People is a charming and delightful novel that took me by surprise. Daniel Mason’s last book, North Woods, earned much praise in 2023. Here he tells us a story about the Krzelewski family who move from Berkeley, CA to a small town in Vermont for a year. Mom, Kate, is a visiting professor at a small college, and dad, Miles, considers this the perfect opportunity to finish the dissertation that he has been working on for 12 years. Except that as they begin to build a life there, Miles is ever being distracted by local lore, interesting people, his children’s school activities, and whatever opportunity presents itself to him. One of my favorite parts of the book is when the family becomes totally enamored with snow and skiing. This is a book where you do not have to wait for “the big event”; you can just settle into a charming and unique fish-out-of-water story. And of course, their dog Guiseppe plays an integral role in the story and earns a place on the front cover. [Published: 7/26 Pages: 320]
I have been on a bit of a spy kick lately, and enjoyed this in audiobook immensely. Transcription is a fascinating tale of spycraft based around true events during World War II. Our main protagonist is Juliet Armstrong. There are two timelines: one in 1950, where Juliet works in children's programming for BBC, and ten years earlier, during the beginning of World War II. Early in the war, she works as a transcriber for the government. Her job involves listening in (and typing up ) conversations where British citizens inform on fellow countrymen. Juliet is excellent at her job, though young and immature. She sees this work as a game and is not altogether aware of the dangers she is putting herself in. The book toggles back and forth as events from her past war-life put her at risk in her current one. The writing here is fantastic, and while this takes place during the war, it doesn’t feel like a typical WWII novel; it reads more like a literary spy novel than anything else. I loved following this intriguing story of espionage and double-crossing set in London. This is a great book for fans of Kate Quinn and would make a good book club pick with much to discuss. And yes, a small dog does make an appearance. During wartime, Juliet is tasked with taking care of a miniature schnauzer named Lily while her owner is out of the country. This has unforeseen consequences. [Publication: 4/19; Pages: 368]
Sadie and Bear thank you for staying to the end, and ask you to share this newsletter with any other dog lovers/book lovers in your life.
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A few books for cat lovers: We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter, Starter Villan, Dead Weight, and Road to Tenderhearts.
My list of books to read just grew significantly…
Such a wonderful post. Thank you, Shayne!