Category: Dogs Page 1 of 12

These Dog Days Aren’t Over

On August 26, 2026

In Books, Dogs, Fiction, News/Misc., Non-Fiction

(Updated and Revised 8/26/26)

It’s National Dog Day, the annual celebration of “all dogs, mixed breed and pure. Our mission is to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and acknowledge family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort.” So it seemed like a good day to post another version of this. And yes, I rushed to post a couple of things yesterday so I’d have them for this 🙂

the text 'These Dog Days Aren't Over' over a series of pictures of dogs This was a hard post to come up with a name for‡. Essentially, this post came from a comment not too long ago about being hesitant to read books about animals if the reader doesn’t know if they survive the book. I get that, I absolutely do. I still bear the scars of Where the Red Fern Grows and Marley and Me (sure, that wasn’t that long ago, but the wound still stings). So, for readers like my correspondent, here are some perfectly safe books prominently featuring dogs!

I plan on updating this regularly at least annually, perhaps more often. So by all means, chime in with comments about Dogs I’ve forgotten about/haven’t encountered yet!

Non-Fiction

bullet Life Lessons by Titan as told to Melaney Taylor Auxier—accompanied by photos of this very good boy, Titan teaches some life lessons. He teaches about friends, making mistakes, eating well, being grateful, that sort of thing. (my post about it)
bullet The Particulars of Peter by Kelly Conaboy—this is a collection of humorous essays giving Conaboy the opportunity to rave about her dog, Peter. In her eyes, Peter is a perfect dog, and as you read this, you’ll be tempted to agree. (my post about it)
bullet Olive, Mabel & Me by Andrew Cotter—Cotter’s charming book describes his life with the two dogs that rocketed to international stardom (and brought him along). (my post about it)
bullet My Life as a Dog by L. A. Davenport—Davenport’s short little book about the relationship between the author and his dog, Kevin, a black and tan, pure-bred dachshund. It focuses on what the two of them did over two days and then a weekend selected from the years they spent together. (my post about it)
bullet Dogtology: Live. Bark. Believe. by Jeff Lazarus—Humans are so obsessed with their dogs, we’ve devoted so much time, energy, and work into them that it’s become a religion, with humans essentially worshiping their pets. This book is a look at that devotion and the rituals and beliefs that accompany it. It’s technically humor, but a lot of it seems pretty on-target. (my post about it)
bullet What the Dog Knows: The Science and Wonder of Working Dogs by Cat Warren—Warren basically covers three topics: there’s the science and history of using working dogs (of all sorts of breeds, not to mention pigs(!), birds, and even cats) to find cadavers, drugs, bombs, etc.; there’s the memoir of her involvement with cadaver dogs via her German Shepherd, Solo; and anecdotes of other cadaver dogs and trainers that she’s encountered/learned from/watched in action. (my post about it)
bullet What the Dog Knows Young Readers Edition by Cat Warren, Patricia J. Wynne—The above book adjusted for younger readers, with some great illustrations. It’s not dumbed-down, just adjusted. (my post about it)

Fiction

bullet All the Best Dogs by Emily Jenkins—A great MG novel about a bunch of kids and their dogs who interact at a dog park. (my post about it and its opening paragraphs)
bullet Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina, Tammi Reichel (Translator)—a Picture Book gives a peek behind the curtain of the lives of a “fancy dog”? And are they just as silly and mischief-bound as their lower-class cousins? (short answer: yes) (my posts about it)
bullet Frida, The Good Dog by Daniel J Breen, Jeff Ross (Illustrator)—this is a cute picture book about a very good dog named Frida (that was self-evident, I guess). It’s a quick and adorable read.
bullet Mace Reid K-9 Mystery series by Jeffrey B. Burton—A Dog Trainer/Cadaver Dog Handler and his dogs get involved in serial killer cases. Warning: Like many heroes in action novels, most of Mace’s dogs get beat up/injured. Some pretty badly. (my posts about it)
bullet Suspect by Robert Crais—One of my all-favorite books, a cop with PTSD gets assigned to the K-9 Unit and works with a dog fresh from Afghanistan combat. (my post about it) The pair also plays a major role in The Promise.
bullet Sharp Investigations by E.N. Crane—A series of comic investigations about an Ex-MP and her K-9 partner in Ohio. Both are pretty skilled and are walking disasters at the same time. (my posts about them)
bullet Pug Actually by Matt Dunn—Doug, a loyal pug, plays cupid for his owner. This is a cute rom-com with a charming canine narrator. (my post about it)
bullet Stepdog by Nicole Galland—A love story where the major impediment to happily ever after is her dog (a gift from her ex). (my post about it)
bullet Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)—an adorable Picture Book following Milton as he travels to a new country to start a life with his new person and gets up to all sorts of adventures. (my post about it)
bullet Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)—This picture book is about Noodle’s search for a place to spend the day where he can have all his needs met: to be able to smell nice smells, see his Jonathan, watch for a snacking opportunity (or several), and—most importantly—feel comfy. Impossible to not like. (my post about it)
bullet Noodle and the No Bones Day by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)—This picture book relates the origin of the Internet Craze and the wonderful, photogenic pug behind it. (my post about it)
bullet Kay-9: The Robot Dog by J.M. Gulmire—maybe doesn’t belong on this list (see: “Robot”), but it’s too cute to leave off on a technicality. What’s an inventive boy to do when his very supportive mother won’t let him get a dog because she’s horribly allergic? Why, build one with an incredibly lifelike AI. Obviously. (my posts about it)
bullet Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries by Kevin Hearne (Audiobooks narrated by Luke Daniels)—Oberon, the scene-stealing Irish Wolfhound from The Iron Druid Chronicles narrates this series of novellas (my posts about it)
bullet Double Dog Dare by Dave Kellett—a wonderful collection of comic strips from the long-running webcomic Sheldon (www.SheldonComics.com) focused on dog humor. Most of them focus on Sheldon’s Dog, Oso the Pug and his friend Digby the Dachshund. (my post about it)
bullet Neah Bay series by Owen Laukkanen—Lucy is a dog who is trained by prisoner Mason Burke, who has to track her down when he gets out. She’s a service dog for Marine Vet Jess Winslow. Lucy connects the two humans in her life and helps to keep them safe when a corrupt deputy comes after Jess. (my post about it)
bullet Pupposites Attract 1 by Hono Natsuna, Matt Trayvaud (translator)—This manga is the story about the beginning of a relationship—two really. Boy walking dog meets girl walking dog. The dogs (one very small, one very large) become good friends and their humans? Well, something starts between them, too. It’s as cute as you can imagine. (my post about it)
bullet I Thought You Were Dead by Pete Nelson—I’m not sure how to sum this one up in a sentence. It’s a pretty typical novel about a troubled writer with a romantic life and family in shambles. But his dog is the thing that makes all the difference. (my post about it)
bullet Chet and Bernie books by Spencer Quinn—Bernie Little is a PI in Phoenix. Chet’s his four-legged partner and the series narrator. It’s too much fun to miss. (my posts about it)
bullet The Right Side by Spencer Quinn—”a deeply damaged female soldier home from the war in Afghanistan becomes obsessed with finding a missing girl, gains an unlikely ally in a stray dog, and encounters new perils beyond the combat zone.” (my post about it)
bullet Woof by Spencer Quinn—The beginning of an MG series about a with a penchant for trouble and her dog. (my post about it)
bullet A Tail of Mystery by Paul Regnier—this is the first novel in a series about a journalist who moves back to his small hometown, develops the ability to communicate with his dog, and starts solving cozy murders. No, really. It’s a great time, I can’t wait to read more in this series. (my post about it)
bullet Andy Carpenter books by David Rosenfelt—Andy Carpenter is New Jersey’s best defense lawyer and a devoted dog owner. He helps run a rescue shelter, too—and almost every client he takes as some sort of connection with a dog. These books aren’t dog-centric like the others on this list, but they’re dog-heavy. (my posts about it)
bullet The K-Team books by David Rosenfelt—a spin-off from the Andy Carpenter series. This features a PI team made up of Andy’s wife/investigator, Laurie; the near super-heroic Marcus; and Corey Douglas, a freshly retired K-9 officer. His canine partner, Simon Garfunkel, comes along, too. Simon Garfunkel doesn’t play a giant role in the books, but he gets at least one good action scene per book. (my posts about it)
bullet Voyage of the Dogs by Greg van Eekhout—SF for all ages about a team of dogs on a long-distance space flight. (my post about it)

Supportive Roles

These dogs aren’t as significant a presence in their books as the prior group, but they’re important enough to mention.

bullet Mouse from The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. (my posts about it)
bullet The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man by W. Bruce Cameron and the sequel Repo Madness by W. Bruce Cameron— (my posts about it)
bullet Edgar from the Washington Poe books by M. W. Craven. (my posts about it)
bullet Rutherford from The TV Detective series by Simon Hall (my posts about it)
bullet Oberon from the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne . (my post about it)
bullet Back After This by Linda Holmes (my posts about it)
bullet Ruffin from the I. Q. series by Joe Ide . (my posts about it)
bullet Dog from the Walt Longmire books by Craig Johnson (my posts about it)
bullet Purvis (and Beau) from The Good Kill by John McMahon (my post about it)
bullet Trogdor from The Golden Arrow Mysteries by Meghan Scott Molin (my post about it)
bullet Mingus from The Drifter by Nicholas Petrie (my post about it)
bullet The World Entire by Jo Perry
bullet Cherry Baby (my post about it)
bullet Herbert and Daisy from Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman (my post about it)

Books with paws on both sides of the line

Some books that belong on this list, but might be a bit too close to not fitting on it for some readers
bullet The Best Dog in the World edited by Alice Hoffman —A collection of essays by novelists about dogs in their life. The book’s subtitle, “Essays on Love,” tells you all you need to know about them. (my post about it)
bullet Lessons From Lucy by Dave Barry—there’s a strong “my beloved dog is old and will die soon-vibe throughout this (it’s the whole point), so some may want to avoid it. But the focus is on what Barry is learning from his aging but still full-of-life dog. (my post about it)
bullet This Dog Will Change Your Life by Elias Weiss Friedman with Ben Greenman—Friedman is probably better known as The Dogist on various social media programs where he features pictures of dogs he meets around whatever city he happens to be in at the time (typically NYC). This book talks about some of the dogs he’s met, some dog charities and organizations he’s encountered, the way some dogs have changed the lives of people he’s known, and some general thoughts on dog-kind in general.
bullet Max Boucher Mysteries by Troy Lambert—Max used to be with the Seattle Police, but became a P.I. after the deaths of his wife and daughter. Because of the events of the first novel, Max gains a reputation as an animal detective. Particularly specializing in missing/kidnapped dogs. Most of the dogs in the series get out okay, but some are injured or worse. (my posts about it)
bullet Stray Ally by Troy Lambert—this is an action novel featuring heroics from several dogs working alongside a special ops soldier to try to stop a white supremacist group from launching a terrorist action. Some dogs are hurt, and a few die along the way. (my post about it)
bullet Dead is … series by Jo Perry—the canine protagonist in these mystery novels is a ghost, so there’s a dog death involved. But we meet her as a ghost, so she won’t die (again) in the series. (my posts about it)
bullet Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure by David Rosenfelt—For various and sundry reasons, the Rosenfelts decide to move their home and dog shelter from California to Maine. As anyone who’s had to get a dog (or a toddler) into their vehicle for a drive across town can imagine—getting 25 dogs moved across the country is a logistical nightmare. In Rosenfelt’s capable hands, if “tragedy plus time equals comedy,” “nightmarish logistics plus time” does, too. The shelter specializes in senior dogs, so not every dog mentioned or featured lives, but that’s not the focus of the book. (my post about it)
bullet E. B. White on Dogs—if this isn’t every short piece or letter White wrote mentioning dogs, it’s so close as not to matter. Some are witty, some are touching, some are somewhere in between. There are even a few written from the point of view of his dog! Sadly, this does include a eulogy for one dog, a few other mentions of canine mortality, so it can’t make the main list. (my post about it)
bullet Lessons from Tara by David Rosenfelt—a sort-of-sequel to the above. Inspired by the death of their dog, Tara, the Rosenfelts now operate a no-kill shelter for senior dogs. This is the story about the origins and day-to-day of that life. There’s discussion of Tara’s death, and he has to cover the end of days for dogs, but it’s not the focus of the book. It’s one some will want to avoid, but you probably shouldn’t. (my post about it)

‡ I brainstormed this a bit with my family, and I enjoy sharing some of those titles that didn’t make the cut, just because I enjoy their creativity:
bullet These Dogs Didn’t Go To Heaven/Not All Dogs Go to Heaven implies these dogs aren’t wonderful creatures, and that’s a solid loser
bullet No Kleenex Required too vague, and not necessarily true, they’re just not required because of a death
bullet The Best Bois
bullet Books Where the Author isn’t A Heartless Bastard (Looking at You, Marley and Me) too long, and boy howdy, does it seem my son has bigger issues with the book than I did
bullet Books that Even PETA Would Be Okay With
bullet Books for the Vegan in You suggests the dog books I don’t mention are in favor of eating them…
bullet Paw Patrol I’m almost confident my daughter’s now-husband suggested this as a joke, for his sake, I’m assuming it was
bullet Pawfect Dog Stories I refuse to resort to that kind of joke

(Images by S K from Pixabay and josmo from Pixabay)

Double Dog Dare by Dave Kellett: Borks, Sniffs, Naps, and Chuckles.

By HCNewton

On August 25, 2026

In Comics, Dogs, Humor, Non-Fiction

Double Dog Dare:
A Canine Comics Cavalcade

by Dave Kellett

DETAILS:
Series: Sheldon Comics 
Publication Date: 2026
Format: Paperback
Length: 163 pg.
Read Date: June 22, 2026

What’s Double Dog Dare About?

This is a collection of comic strips from the long-running webcomic Sheldon (www.SheldonComics.com) focused on dog humor. Most of them focus on Sheldon’s Dog, Oso the Pug and his friend Digby the Dachshund.

Most are stand-alone 1 (occasional 2)-page comics of 1-6 panels. A few back-to-back pages are on a theme–but there are three distinct sections of stories/topics: Batpug, a series about the adventures of a crime-fighting dog; The Hodgepode Dog Lodge–a series involving a dog shelter abandoned by its human worker; and Naming Types of Dog Barks (my favorite).

The topics covered involve lots of napping, barking, sniffing things, eating habits, flatulence, and the various ways dogs pass messages to each other on walks.

What did I think about Double Dog Dare?

I used to buy a lot of comic strip collections–Bloom County, The Far Side, Calvni and Hobbes, Doonesbury, etc. And I cannot tell you how many times I’ve read each collection that I have–but I really haven’t done that since the mid-90s. With one exception–Sheldon Comics. I’ve even Kickstarted a few (like this one).

I mention that because kicking back for a while this weekend, working my way through this new collection, reminded me of that. I was just immersed in the good times–strip after strip, and every few pages I’d think, “Oh, this is the gem of the collection”–only to revise that opinion 3-5 pages later. So, yeah–there are several gems scattered throughout the book. And even the ones I wouldn’t rank as highly are pretty solid and worthy of at least a smile.

I am solid in the appraisal that the last comic is the most heartwarming.

It’s a lot of fun, you don’t need to be a Sheldon reader to enjoy this particular batch (although you may end up as one). The humor is appropriate for all ages and would be found amusing by all as well.

I had a blast with it and assume any dog lover would, too.

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Grandpappy’s Corner: Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator): One Pug’s Big Adventure

By HCNewton

On August 25, 2026

In Dogs, Grandpappy's Corner, YA/MG/Children's Books

Milton Makes a Move

by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Length: 32 pg.
Read Date: August 24, 2026

Overthinking Things…

This post may come across as me slighting Graziano’s previous two books. At least that’s my fear. It should not be read in that way—Noodle and the No Bones Day and Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain are delightful and charming books that I enjoyed and have read multiple times. Any comparisons between them and this should only serve to highlight how much I enjoyed and appreciated this book and how much I think Graziano has grown as a writer.

What’s Milton Makes a Move About?

As his legions of followers know, Graziano spent some time without a dog after Noodle, and then adopted Milton. This is his story about coming from Brazil to stay with his new person.

It’s framed as an adventure for the dog—full of travel, discovery, and learning to trust someone to take care of him (and taking care of him in return). It shows how Milton was brave to take on new challenges—even when scary things were happening around him (like thunderstorms).

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

The art is just cute. Practically peak cuteness. I wish I could think of another word here, but that’s all that comes to mind.

Tavis gets to strut his stuff a little more in this book than in the Noodle books due to the differing personalities of the pugs. Milton likes being outside, playing with other animals (even if he should know better about some of them), he goes places, he moves a lot. And while Noodle may have done some of that, essentially he was a homebody, so there wasn’t a lot to do with him.

But we get to see Milton chase a skunk, play with bunnies, get close to a bear. Even inside the house, there’s more action to be found. And Tavis takes advantage of that and has a lot of fun—giving everyone who reads this (or reads it to someone) plenty to look at. When we see Milton on the airplane, I thought that was likely going to be the visual highlight of the book—but it wasn’t. The detail, the little bits of humor he scatters throughout the illustrations are just great.

So, what did I think about Milton Makes a Move?

The Noodle books focused on Noodle’s search for comfort, his patented “No Bones” days, and so on. This is about a younger pug exploring the new world around him—so it’s a different tone.

Not only that, but Graziano fills the book with a little more humor, some great descriptions, as well as some real sweetness.

When Milton is awakened during his first night in his new home by thunder, we’re told:

Alarmed, he let out a large BOOF. (A boof is like a woof, but quieter and more boof-like.)

“More boof like” just made me cackle. Anyone who’s had a small dog has a pretty good idea what that sound is like. It’s one I miss—if only because my larger dogs can’t be bothered with a small sound. I don’t think Graziano would’ve gone for something like that before, but he’s growing as an author and getting more confident. So he does some things like that.

I don’t know that all his adult fans will appreciate the feel of movement in this book—Noodle was about comfort and vibes, Milton’s about sweetness and play. But I see this book attracting more young readers than the previous did.

And even if I’m wrong—I had a great time reading this, and will enjoy doing so again. I hope we get several more books about Milton and his new friends.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Grandpappy’s Corner: Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina, Tammi Reichel (Translator): No Plain Pooches Here

By HCNewton

On August 4, 2026

In Dogs, Grandpappy's Corner, YA/MG/Children's Books

Fancy Dogs

by Tini Malina, Tammi Reichel (Translator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Publication Date: October 6, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 48 pg.
Read Date: August 3, 2026

What’s Fancy Dogs About?

Books and films about dogs who live as strays, or in packs on the street are common. But for every Tramp, there’s a Lady—a dog who lives a very different lifestyle, and we don’t spend that much time talking about them.

Malina comes along to address the imbalance with this book giving us a peek behind the curtain—just what is it like to live as a “fancy dog”? And are they just as silly and mischief-bound as their lower-class cousins? (short answer: yes)

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

This is one of those picture books where the charm of the art is in it’s simplicity (note that I said simplicity, as in straight-forward. Not easy.). None of the canines portrayed in these pages are all that anatomically great. But they’re all dogs at a glance. It’s crisp, it’s clean, it’s attractive.

It’s amazing what a simple bow tie can do to a drawing of a dog. There’s no question the primary dog is a fancy dog—although, he’s not above switching off the bow tie for a spiffy scarf or a shiny collar, either.

You can see some pages from the German edition here.

How is it to Read Aloud?

I bet it’s great in German—it’s pretty good in English, although I wonder if the original has a few more rhymes.

I did enjoy it, don’t get me wrong, I just think one or two more rhymes would be better. I still look forward to trying this with the grandcritters.

So, what did I think about Fancy Dogs?

It’s fun, it made me smile, and I bet at least one grandcritter of mine will have me read it a time or three. That’s good enough for me.

There’s a little bit of humor that will have to be explained to an American kid, but that works out for those who don’t want to explain literal potty-humor to a three-year-old. (don’t worry, it’s just about alternatives to a water bowl that some dogs engage in)

I had a great time with Fancy Dogs the two times I’ve read it—I expect you will, too. Especially if you have a young’un to share it with.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley in exchange for this post which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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The Best Dog in the World edited by Alice Hoffman: All the Best Dogs (except yours or mine)

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2026

In Dogs, Non-Fiction

The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love

edited by Alice Hoffman

DETAILS:
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: March 10, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Length: 208 pg.
Read Date: May 11-29, 2026

All these years, I never had a dog and I didn’t know what I was missing exactly. I had opinions on the matter, It seemed that dog people were the kind of folks you saw in beer commercials tossing Frisbees on the beach. The kind of people who have season tickets to the Mets. The kind of people who never miss a Giants game. The same people who never miss the Rolling Stones when they’re touring through. The kind of people who probably would have voted for Teddy Roosevelt and then for his cousin Franklin. Easygoing. Unflappable. Cool. A dog person is someone who first and always loves dogs. A dog person treasures connection and brings humans together. A dog person is open to the possibilities that come from loving an animal that needs you and loves you back. And now, after a lifetime of not being one, I was a dog person.

from Adriana Trigiani’s “Lola”

Warning

You know how each National Dog Day in August, I post something called “These Dog Days Aren’t Over” about books where dogs live? This book will not be appearing in that post.

Of the 16 dogs written about in this book, three were alive when the essay was written—that’s 19%. And one of the essays about a dog who was living talks about the dog’s aging, and the essayist thinks about life after the dog. So the percentage is almost lower.

If you’re one of those readers who (understandably) want every dog in a book to live, this is not one for you.

But for those who can appreciate something well-written where a dog doesn’t have to keep running and barking, read on.

What’s The Best Dog in the World?

This is a collection of essays by Isabel Allende, Chris Bohjalian, Bonnie Garmus, Roxane Gay, Emily Henry, Ann Leary, Tova Mirvis, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, Adriana Trigiani, Nick Trout, Paul Yoon, and Laura Zigman. The title pretty much tells you what to expect, but Alice Hoffman’s afterword sums it up pretty well:

In reading these essays I realize they are all about loyalty and love. How lucky we are to have a dog in our lives. How treasured our time with them is. I have come to realize there is not necessarily one best dog in the world, but, if we’re fortunate, many best dogs, who each enrich our lives in different ways.

In the essays contained here there are stories about loss and family, about new relationships and hardships, but each and every one is about love.

So, what did I think about The Best Dog in the World?

Like most dog owners, I view her with absolute objectivity as a canine genius with the sweetest soul on the planet.

The only dog owners that would likely disagree with Chris Bohjalian are people like me, who are convinced their dog missed out on the day intelligence was passed out with the sweetest soul on the planet.

But he hits on the main point of the book. I seem to be on a theme this year, a few months back, I read a novel called All the Best Dogs—and the theme was all the dogs are the best dogs. Then we get this compilation—which basically says the same. Every dog-person basically knows this already—it’s just affirming to see in print.

This collection was like talking with a bunch of new friends about our dogs—much like a lot of conversations at a dog park, just without the interruptions to point out something ridiculous or cute (or both) happening in the park itself. Oh, and more erudite and eloquent.

There were two essays that didn’t work for me—but the rest did. Some were just satisfying, some were, “I want to spend hours with this author and/or their dog.” One of the ones that didn’t work for me was actually really well written, and I was impressed by the way they worked in life events with the discussion of their dog. I just thought it was too dog-light to fit the theme. The other was about a show dog. Sorry, Amy Tan, I just had a super-hard time caring. I’m sure it’s reverse-snobbery on my part (although Frankie seems like a well-loved dog, with a great life—especially in retirement). Also, there was some really good writing in Tan’s essay (not a shock to anyone).

Emily Henry almost made me weep; Bonnie Garmus convinced me to read Lessons in Chemistry in the hope that the same voice shines through; I’m going to have to check out Paul Yoon (and probably a couple of the others); the Jodi Picoult in these pages is not the one that my wife describes to me when she talks about her books (this is likely true of most of these writers. Different topics, etc.) And the list goes on.

This was sweet, touching, uncommonly relatable, heartstring-tugging, and smile-inducing. I don’t know if you’ll walk away with a fresh understanding of the love of a human for a canine—or a canine for a human—but it’ll be refreshed.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Pug Actually by Matt Dunn: A Rescue Dog Tries to Return the Favor

By HCNewton

On May 7, 2026

In Dogs, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

Pug Actually

by Matt Dunn

Paperback, 313 pg.
Mira Books, 2021

Read: October 5-6, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Pug Actually About?

Julie is in a bad relationship, for the last few years she’s been seeing a married man. You know the type—after a few months, he reveals that fact and keeps promising to leave his wife, but… Oh, he’s also her boss. Even if he wasn’t married, he doesn’t treat her well (and is definitely not a dog person). There’s just nothing good to say about Luke.

But Julie really doesn’t see that. Her dad. Jim, and her best friend, Pryia, do—but they can only say so much. But her other best friend, Doug, decides he’s going to do something about it. He starts looking for suitable matches—he doesn’t understand human attractiveness, so he knows he’s at a disadvantage. Early on, he tries to arrange a “meet cute” by knocking over someone’s coffee in the park, but has to abandon that method.

Then Julie is introduced to a recent divorce, Tom. Doug likes him right away (as does Julie’s dad)—even if he is a (gasp) veterinarian. Doug fakes a limp to get taken to Tom’s office, puts up with dog exercise classes in the part, and generally does everything he can to keep the two meeting up. He also steps up his antagonism toward Luke, to try to make it clear to Julie who he prefers.

Doug is a pug who was rescued by Julie and her dad after the death of Julie’s mom. He decides that rescuing can work both ways—and determines that he’s going to find Julie a better guy than Luke.

Without realizing that’s what they’re doing, Jim and Priya help out—discouraging time with Luke and playing up Tom (or anyone else), Jim even is partially responsible for introducing Tom to her.

Slowly something maybe starts between Julie and Tom, and things definitely (and largely independently from the Tom story) get worse between Julie and Luke. And Doug’s along all the while doing his best to help.

The Very Sweet Subplot

When Jim and Doug take their walks, Jim has a habit of stopping by a coffee shop run by a woman named Dot. Dot’s interest in Jim is about as obvious as Doug being a dog. But Jim’s not ready to see anyone after his wife, so is either oblivious or chooses to be. Tom is actually Dot’s son.

About the time that Tom meets Julie, Jim finally opens himself up to the idea of seeing someone. Watching Dot and Jim’s relationship start is possibly the best part of the book (it certainly comes with less drama and more fun).

Doug as Narrator

Going back to Debora and James Howe’s Harold and up through Spencer Quinn’s Chet, I’ve been a sucker for dog narrators. It’s a weakness, and not one I’m in any rush to lose. Doug is one more in a line of dog narrators that has charmed his way into my heart.

Doug’s rather erudite and educated for a canine writer. Sure, there are human things he doesn’t understand, and a few things that a small pug can’t see. But he’s not as easily distracted as Chet, for example. He’s capable of rattling off a Chinese proverb in Chinese—perhaps because he is a pug, because he doesn’t show an affinity for other languages.

He’s also like every dog I’ve ever met, but especially like the pug sitting next to me, and is always hungry—and a little pudgy (hence the need for the exercise class). And while everyone will talk about his need to lose weight, he’s really good at getting them to give him a treat (or finding some on his own).

I really enjoy everyone spelling V-E-T every time they mention Tom’s profession, although as Doug notes, he can spell. The reliable “Big Stretch!” said by everyone who isn’t Luke when Doug stretches brought a grin to my face (and has made me a bit self-conscious when I do the same to my canine companions).

So, what did I think about Pug Actually?

This is a sweet, cute book. Pug Actually is a pretty standard rom-com, you can see most of the story beats coming, but Dunn writes them in an effective way, so who cares? Adding Doug to the mix adds a layer of charm and humor that help make this more than standard.

There’s a moment near the end that really doesn’t seem necessary to add one last hurdle to the Tom and Julie romance. It soured my wife a bit on the book, but me less so. I see where it was necessary—or at least helpful—to give Doug a couple of more shining moments. But the ending was nice enough to make up for whatever stumble that plot point made.

When he was on the Author Stories podcast, Dunn suggested that there might be a sequel in the works. If one appears, I’ll jump on it.

If you’re in the mood for a pleasant, light read, I recommend this. Even better if you’re in the mood for a rom-com. If you’re a dog lover, it’ll help, but even cat people should find plenty to love here.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

PUB DAY REPOST: Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn: Chet Searches for an Influencer Cat

By HCNewton

On April 14, 2026

In Chet and Bernie, Dogs, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Spencer Quinn

This was supposed to go up yesterday…but apparently, the key is to press the “Schedule” button. Just a friendly tip from you to me.

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof

by Spencer Quinn

DETAILS:
Series: Chet and Bernie, #16
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 320 pg.
Read Date: April 1-6, 2026

Before I get into things…that title is great (not that Quinn’s a stranger to good titles). I want to believe he wrote that title down some time ago and spent a couple of years thinking of a story to go with it.

What’s Cat on a Hot Tin Woof About?

One of the best things about the Chet and Bernie books is the wide diversity in cases they investigate—sure, the Little Detective Agency specializes in missing persons cases—but they do it all. Well, almost all. The clients they have this time are something that Bernie isn’t really ready for—and Chet would’ve been happier if they’d never run into them.

It’s a mother-daughter pair—the daughter had accidentally launched herself (well, her cat) to Internet fame and a very respectable income for a high schooler (well, more than respectable). Her mother is her business manager. Their problem? Miss Kitty is missing. Their sponsors are coming in soon to sign a new deal, and her audience is clamoring for fresh content. So the clock is ticking.

Bernie understands very little of this, but signs on—and quickly learns that despite what his clients believed—the cat didn’t slip out of the house somehow. She’s been stolen.

Naturally, it doesn’t stop with a stolen cat—more crimes turn up, as does an element of danger.

Bernie’s ex-wife, Leda, has some drama of her own, for him to deal with, too. But Bernie’s focus is on the case (although he takes time out for a fun scene to help Leda)

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

That’s simple—while Quinn isn’t a stranger to less-impressive books, he’s incapable of writing an un-entertaining one—particularly with this series. And it’s been a while since he stumbled anyway.

Why did I keep at it? There is simply something infectious about Chet’s voice—as much as you want to figure out what happened—who kidnapped the cat and why, will they figure out the other mysteries along the way, will Bernie lose a lot of money doing something foolish, etc.—you want to stay in Chet’s head for longer than it’ll take to finish the book. This book is a textbook example of that.

What does this book tell us about humanity?

There’s a good deal here about the human propensity for making mistakes you’d regret later—if not sooner.

There’s a lot about good parenting and inadequate parenting/parents. There are a couple of good parents in this book (one came so late in the book, you’d almost despair of seeing another one ever again), and several inadequate ones. Most of those didn’t realize they were—but boy howdy, they should’ve.

What this book tells us most about humanity—and this is largely true for every Chet and Bernie book is the importance of a connection between a human and an animal. Even if it’s just a connection for a short-time. We’ve got cats, a pig, and a couple of dogs. The cats enrich (literally, in at least one case) the lives of those they stay with. Chet gets to comfort people going through rough times and gets to support Bernie. The pig? Well, it’s there. The cats and the dogs are just wonderful and will make you want your own (assuming you don’t already).

So, what did I think about Cat on a Hot Tin Woof?

It’s a Chet and Bernie book—of course, I had a good time.

I’d have liked a little more clarity on a point or two about the conclusion. But when your narrator is delightfully unreliable, that’s hard. I think about these cases in a way Chet wouldn’t bother with, so unless Bernie muses about some of the action, there’s just no way that we get the answers I want.

But you have to expect that going in, so it really doesn’t matter.

It’s been a minute since “old man Heydrich” was brought up (and I’m more than okay with that), and I think his replacement could be fun. We get some good Charlie and Leda stuff. Weatherly could’ve been in it more (but was used well). The client herself is the kind that you hope Quinn finds a way to bring back (as he does with another client here), and…well, it’s all just good.

It’s a fun mystery that will keep you smiling throughout—even when Chet solves the mystery (and doesn’t realize it)—maybe it’d be better to say that the reader solves it through Chet’s eyes—and you’re just sitting there waiting for Bernie to catch up. That’s frequently a frustrating experience when I’m that far ahead of the protagonist in a book—but here, it’s just fun.

If you’ve never met our intrepid pair of P.I.s, this would be a perfect book to jump into the series with—honestly, any of them would work, but you might as well start with this one. If you’ve been around the duo before, this is as good as you remember. Either way—check out Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn: Chet Searches for an Influencer Cat

By HCNewton

On April 8, 2026

In Chet and Bernie, Dogs, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Spencer Quinn

This was supposed to go up yesterday…but apparently, the key is to press the “Schedule” button. Just a friendly tip from you to me.

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof

by Spencer Quinn

DETAILS:
Series: Chet and Bernie, #16
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 320 pg.
Read Date: April 1-6, 2026

What’s Cat on a Hot Tin Woof About?

Bernie understands very little of this, but signs on—and quickly learns that despite what his clients believed—the cat didn’t slip out of the house somehow. She’s been stolen.

Naturally, it doesn’t stop with a stolen cat—more crimes turn up, as does an element of danger.

Bernie’s ex-wife, Leda, has some drama of her own, for him to deal with, too. But Bernie’s focus is on the case (although he takes time out for a fun scene to help Leda)

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

What does this book tell us about humanity?

There’s a good deal here about the human propensity for making mistakes you’d regret later—if not sooner.

So, what did I think about Cat on a Hot Tin Woof?

It’s a Chet and Bernie book—of course, I had a good time.

But you have to expect that going in, so it really doesn’t matter.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

Quick-Take Catchups: The Leftovers from January

By HCNewton

On March 9, 2026

In (Auto)Biography, Audiobook, Dogs, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Humor, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Non-Fiction, Science Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

In an effort to keep my “To Write About” pile from getting out of control (I’ve got another post coming up in the first week in January…or maybe later in the year about the older stuff), I’ve set a requirement to myself to write a catch-up post at the end of the following month (e.g., At the end of February, write about January books; at the end of June, write about the May books I haven’t gotten to yet; etc.). As always, the point of these quick-takes is to emphasize pithiness, not thoroughness.

Dear Committee Members

by Julie Schumacher, read by Roberston Dean

DETAILS:
Series: Jason Fitger, #1
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication Date: August 19, 2014
Format: Unabridged Audiobooks
Length: 3 hrs., 55 min. 
Read Date: January 3-5, 2026

Professor Jason Fitger is a delightful character (in fiction, please don’t sit next to him at a dinner or stand near him at a party. Or maybe don’t be in the same room with him). He’s full of himself, a little self-deluded, put-upon, and (probably) past his prime with a career going nowhere (but hey, tenure!).

We learn about him through a series of letters of recommendation he’s sending to various businesses, schools, programs, and scholarships for his students; interdepartmental emails; emails to old friends/ex-lovers/ex-wife; and maybe one or two others. I like a good epistolary novel, and this is one of them. We learn about Fitger, and a couple of his students, the moves his University is making to gut itself of the liberal arts, and more, in a way that feels incredibly authentic and very entertaining.

Still, I don’t think I could take it if the book was much longer, and I don’t know that I want to read the rest of the trilogy (but I kind of do).

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All the Best Dogs

by Emily Jenkins

DETAILS:
Publisher: Yearling
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Format: Hardcover
Length: 208 pg.
Read Date: January 5, 2026

This middle-grade novel about a bunch of kids (and a few adults) who bring their dogs to a neighborhood dog park is just delightful. Not just because the dogs are as cute and silly and loving as you want them to be. But the kids and their situations are, too. Even the ones that start off in conflict or sadness get a good dose of resolution and hope by the end (generally tied to one of these dogs). It was cute, heartwarming, and filled with good dogs—the best dogs, actually. What more do you want?

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Children of Time

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

DETAILS:
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: December 11, 2018
Format: Paperback
Length: 416 pg.
Read Date: January 14-19, 2026

I didn’t write a full post on this because I can’t write a sentence about what I think about it without writing one contradicting it. And then one defending the first sentence. And then one defending the second. And then…

I love the concept of this book. Think the execution was wonderful. There’s so, so, so many cool things and ideas packed in here. But it’s also slow and plodding. It could be argued that 80% of the book is setup and only the last 20% is the story. That 20% (an estimate, I didn’t really do the math) is pretty cool and almost makes up for the rest.

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Everyone in the Group Chat Dies

by L.M. Chilton, Kimberley Capero

DETAILS:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: December 9, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hrs., 36 min. 
Read Date: January 15-16, 2026

I enjoyed (and apparently didn’t write about) Chilton’s Swiped a couple of years ago. Almost none of the charm or zaniness of that book made its way here. I’m not saying I expected a carbon copy, obviously, but this could almost have been written by someone else.

A lot of the framing of this story was well done—and the way it was ordered was, too. But I could practically see that all of the heart and character were sacrificed for the sake of clever plotting and telling. And if I have to go on without one of those pairs, I know which one it should be.

I’m not saying that I’m done with Chilton, but I won’t be in a rush for whatever’s next.

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Lit

by Tim Sandlin

DETAILS:
Publisher: Brash Books
Publication Date: October 22, 2025
Format: eBook
Length: 254 pg.
Read Date: January 20, 2026

This is quotable, clever, and filled with interesting characters. It’s also a little too convoluted; it’s hard to believe some of the interpersonal relationships with the characters, and the solution is a bit of a letdown.

That said, from the first page to the last I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading it. Most of it worked in the moment, or was something I could shrug off while reading it. But when I was done and started thinking about it, I the doubts and quibbles kept growing.

Maybe Sandlin couldn’t really figure out the book he was trying to write—tone, characters, and/or outcome—he wouldn’t be the first author to do that. As much as a lot of the passages sang—the book, in retrospect, was just good enough. Read this one to enjoy the journey, not necessarily the destination.

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The Librarians

by Sherry Thomas, read by Louisa Zhu

DETAILS:
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 13 hrs., 45 min. 
Read Date: January 21-26, 2026

Individually, these characters were just fantastic—plenty of quirk, plenty of heart, plenty of “I just want to live a quiet life with books and nice people” kind of energy. Sign me up for that! The murder mysteries were intriguing enough, too. But combining the characters and the murders—with too many amateur detectives running around—it all felt very soapy. Very melodramatic.

I flitted back and forth between “Oh, I really like Character X and want to see what happens to them” and “Oh, please, shut up and return to reality! Cut the melodrama!” so often I got whiplash.

I’d recommend it with several caveats and a stress on low-expectations. Then again, I could name worse.

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Through the Ashes

by Irene Hill

DETAILS:
Series: Joe Higgins, #1
Publication Date: April 18, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 239 pg.
Read Date: January 24-26, 2026

This is a solid series premiere and debut novel about a former deputy who used to serve on his area’s search-and-rescue team. Years after personal tragedy struck, he’s called on to leave his drunken stupor behind and find a missing boy. Naturally, it’s not long before this search becomes so much more.

This is Hill’s debut, and it’s not that hard to tell (particularly as she introduces characters early on). But she can tell a good story, and the characters are winners.

It’s a little on the rough side, but this is a good read, and I’m ready for the second book (and probably the third and fourth).

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Memes & Mayhem II: A Comedy of Horrors

by Ashley DeLeon

DETAILS:
Series: Memes & Mayhem, #2
Publication Date: September 11, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 249 pg.
Read Date: January 24, 2026

Before I get into this, I thought I had posted about the first book, and I’m more than a little annoyed to find out that I didn’t. I did chat with the author briefly a couple of years ago. (I’m really bothered, I remember working on it) Anyway, this is exactly like the first book—just done a little better and is a little funnier. Experience is a good thing.

DeLeon has picked some great creepy ghost stories and tells them well—even better, she does it with a good (and oftentimes silly) sense of humor.

This is well worth your time (so is its predecessor). I had a blast with this and will do so again.

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The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco

by Michelle Chouinard, read by Stephanie Németh-Parker

DETAILS:
Series: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, #1
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hrs., 51 min.
Read Date: January 26-28, 2026

This really fits in the Finley Donovan demographic. It’s a little more grounded, a little slower on the romance burn (okay, a lot slower), a little less zanier. But the same overall feel. I didn’t get as into all of the plotlines as I was supposed to—and I’d figured out the whodunit, with a pretty good (but growing) confidence in the whydunit early on. But watching our semi-intrepid investigator, Capri Sanzio, wind her way through the investigation was entertaining enough.

I didn’t buy her podcast recording at all (and it would’ve been good to see her do something other than record episodes). But the rest was okay.

It was as entertaining as you’d want this to be—not an inch more. But good enough.

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That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You

by Elyse Myers

DETAILS:
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 5 hrs., 32 min. 
Read Date: January 28-30, 2026

This is such a strange, comforting, hilarious, and relatable collection of short pieces. Some are memoirs, some are humorous pieces, some are hard to define. All are absolutely worth your time. They will warm your heart, bring a smile to your face, and make you feel all sorts of things.

I think this would work well on the page—but do yourself a favor and get it on audio. Myers’ delivery is so good (as anyone who’s watched her videos knows), hearing her words in her voice really captures the intangibles of the book in a way that I don’t think that the page is fully capable of.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Oberon’s Bathtime Stories by Kevin Hearne: The Canine Dynamo Will Spark Joy, Mark My Words!

By HCNewton

On December 26, 2025

In Dogs, Fiction, Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Oberon’s Bathtime Stories

by Kevin Hearne

DETAILS:
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles/Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries
Publisher: Horned Lark Press
Publication Date: April 8, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 127 pg.
Read Date: December 19, 2025

What’s Oberon’s Bathtime Stories About?

So, whenever Oberon—the Iron Druid’s Irish Wolfhound—gets a bath, he gets told a story so he’ll put up with it long enough to get clean. This is something we’ve known since the first book, and it continues in Atticus’ (largely undocumented) adventures and life post-Scourged.

This is a collection of those stories—eleven of them plus something a little different. The outline is simple—Oberon and/or his buddy Starbuck engage in some sort of shenanigans or misadventure. Atticus cleans them up, telling them a story about meeting some famous person—usually with a point/lesson—then the dogs get the zoomies and take a nap.

These people range from the Visigoth King Alaric to John Quincy Adams, from Corrie Ten Boom to Robert Johnson, and so on.

A Break in the Pattern

There’s one exception to this pattern—chapter 5, “The Triple Nonfat Double Bacon Five-Cheese Mocha.” Features Oberon prompting Atticus into action. It’s nothing major—it’s just a brief 17 page story, after all. But it’s the kind of thing that would take up part of an early chapter in an Iron Druid novel.

It was good to have this break, so everything wasn’t just the same. It was also fun to see the Iron Druid in action, knowing that he’s still got it in him.

So, what did I think about Oberon’s Bathtime Stories?

This was fun—some good light entertainment. Not quite as satisfying as a dog would find a belly rub, but probably a good series of scritches behind the ear.

I do think Hearne got a little preachy a time or two—both in the selection of subject and how he told their story, particularly Atticus’ lessons for Oberon and Starbuck. I don’t particularly take umbrage with his messages, just the delivery. Not so much umbrage that I didn’t immediately turn the page to the next story—I’m just using this excuse to say umbrage a few times.

If you’re a fan of the Iron Druid Chronicles and this somehow slipped by your radar, you’re going to want to invest the time. It’s absolutely worth it. If the idea of stories featuring historical figures told to a dog, and you haven’t read the IDC, you’ll likely still enjoy it. Hearne’s got a reliable charm.