Cedar Falls Public Library discussion

Since the month of October is a adopt-a-shelter-dog month, I thought it would be fun to talk about books about animals, fiction or nonfiction. It can range from James Herriot books to The cat who series.

What is your favorite book about animals, fiction or nonfiction? I really enjoyed Marley and me. It made me cry. I was at work so I was trying to hold myself together.

I accidentally deleted some members posts! So sorry!

Julia really enjoyed Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass.

Cindy really enjoyed Watchers by Dean Koontz. She liked the Gold Retriever who was one of the main characters. She also enjoyed James Herriott's All Creatures Great and Small series.

What about you? What are your favorite books with animals as characters? I promise I won't delete your comments this time!

I been intrigued by Wendy Mass' Mango shaped Sapce since she came to the Cedar Falls Public Library about five years ago as a Cedar Valley Youth Reads author. When I was at looking up books for the discussion I came across lots of youth classics.

Cindy, I have never read Dean Koontz. I always thought of him as a "horror" author. What genre is Watchers?

I would not compare Koontz and King as far as horror genre goes...Watchers has some scientific explanations I guess you could say...that is one of his earliest books and as I said, loved the dog! I have not read Koontz for awhile because I really did not the ODD THOMAS (I think its Thomas)series. Koontz also had a beloved golden retriever that he wrote about..which is kind of good.

I understand what you mean Cindy. Jan Karon's Mitford series had a big black dog named Barnabas that Father Tim could stop from running away by shouting scripture at him. I loved him as a character. I also love Janet Evanovich's Joe Morelli's dog, Bob, who is a big goofy dog that eats just about anything.

Bob is definitely a good dog character.

One of my favorites is Enzo, from "The Art of Racing in the Rain." He's a great dog, and it's a good book.

Oh--possibly my favorite fictional dog ever, Almondine from "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." Wonderful book in so many ways. I'm not a dog lover, but I absolutely loved the dogs in that book.

Most of the books I've read with cats are too goofy to recommend: The Cat Who series, or the Rita Mae Brown "Mrs Murphy" series. I did read an interesting nonfiction about a cat recently, "Making Rounds with Oscar." Oscar the cat lives in a nursing home, along with several other cats. Oscar has an instinct for knowing when people are entering their end of life sequence. It's about Oscar, but also an interesting story about relationships and compassion.

I also liked Enzo and the dogs from "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" I've read all or most of The cat who series but didn't really have a fondess for the cat in them. I've heard about "Making Rounds with Oscar" It intrigued me because I wonder how the residents and family felt about Oscar. I would think it would be comforting and scary at the same time to see Oscar spending lots of time with someone.

Generally Oscar showed up for just the very final hours, and it seemed to be comforting. By that time, it was inevitable and the resident was generally unconscious. I do remember thinking I'd be a little unsettled if Oscar hopped up on my bed at the home!

Oh ok. I was thinking what if you're fine and then all of sudden Oscar wants to lay on your bed or if I was visiting my relative and saw Oscar on their bed and my relative was fine. I would be a unsettled like you said.

MOST of the time :)

This is an oldie, but years ago I remember reading Watership Down. That was a neat book.
And, of course, there's Rosie from "Water for Elephants." She was a wonderful character.
Finally remembering a good cat character--Racer, from Martha Grimes' Richard Jury series. Realistic cat, definitely has a personality.
Richard Parker, the tiger in Life of Pi, a character integral to the story.
The more I think about it, the more I remember many great animal characters in novels I've read. Maybe not always main characters, but important ones.

"Watership Down" has been on my to-read list for years. I loved Rosie for "Water for Elephants" Richard Parker was cool. I love his name!