Tag Archives: animals

Lily and the Octopus

Lily and the Octopus Book Cover Lily and the Octopus
Steven Rowley
Fiction
Simon and Schuster
June 7, 2016
320

Combining the emotional depth of "The Art of Racing in the Rain" with the magical spirit of "The Life of Pi," "Lily and the Octopus "is an epic adventure of the heart. When you sit down with "Lily and the Octopus," you will be taken on an unforgettable ride. The magic of this novel is in the read, and we don t want to spoil it by giving away too many details. We can tell you that this is a story about that special someone: the one you trust, the one you can t live without. For Ted Flask, that someone special is his aging companion Lily, who happens to be a dog. "Lily and the Octopus "reminds us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go, and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all. Remember the last book you told someone they "had "to read? "Lily and the Octopus" is the next one."

 

Review:

Friends, let me tell you right now, if you are a dog or an animal lover you are going to flat-out ugly cry over “Lily and the Octopus.”

I mean snot running down your face, inconsolable, nothing-will-ever-be-ok-again sobbing.

The other thing I will tell you is that you will be so, so glad you read it.  It’s a beautiful work of literary fiction about the nature of life and love told with a lot of humor and sadness.  As the description says, the joy of this particular book is in the reading of it.  A summary will not actually convey what it’s all really about, and aside from the crying, I think everyone will take something different away from it.  This is definitely one of those novels that is colored by what the reader brings to the table.

What “Lily and the Octopus” gave me was the memory of the pain of loss, but most importantly, the memory of love and it all being worth it.  Animals and humans alike, they’re worth it in the end.

I can’t recommend it enough.

This unbiased review is based upon a copy of the book won through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.

 

Content Warning:

As this is an adult book, there are no content warnings.

Breaking Cat News

Breaking Cat News Book Cover Breaking Cat News
Georgia Dunn
Andrews McMeel Publishing
May 10, 2016
Paperback
128

This just in: Three adorable house cats are reporting the most hilarious breaking news! Based on author/illustrator Georgia Dunn’s real life pets, Elvis, Lupin, and Puck strap on neckties and pick up microphones to provide the most up-to-date relevant news stories (at least according to them).

Cats reporting on the news that matters to cats with stories such as The Vacuum Cleaner Is Back!, The Woman Is Cooking Bacon!, and The Ceiling Cats Are Everywhere Tonight! Cynical, no nonsense Elvis and shy, sweet, sensitive Puck are the reporter kitties in the field, while the adventurous jokester Lupin serves as anchor cat. Together they break headlines on the food bowl, new plants, mysterious red dots, strange cats in the yard, and all the daily happenings in their home.

 

Review:

Oh how I loved “Breaking Cat News.”  I still have a smile on my face just thinking about it and am going to buy a physical copy the next time I am in a bookstore.  Any cat lover is sure to see their own cats in the news team, and it will make a perfect gift for anyone in your life that needs some cheering up.  It’s also appropriate for children and is sure to get everyone laughing together.  Highly recommended!

This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Presidential Pets

Presidential Pets Book Cover Presidential Pets
Julia Moberg
Juvenile Nonfiction
Imagine Publishing
January 1, 2012
95

The Wierd, wacky, little, big, scary, strange animals that have lived in the White House.

 

Review:

“Presidential Pets” is an excellent introduction to the history of the American presidents for children.  The hook is obviously the pet facts, but each president also has brief and easy-to-digest facts about their presidency on their pages.  The illustrations are wonderful, as well.  Highly recommended to animal and history lovers of all ages.

This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.