After this week’s sad puppy story, I wanted to recommend a book that will lift your hearts to the heavens. This memoir by Ted Kerosote begins with a fortuitous meeting. A stray dog shows up on a river bank where Ted is white watering out West. From that moment on, Ted and his new companion, Merle, share an exploration through the hills and dales of humanity and caninanity that will expand your mind and soul beyond anything you imagined up to now.
Merle’s Door will deepen your understanding about everything, including my favorite question: what's home?
I laughed with this book. I cried. I learned about animal and human behaviors. I learned about America’s wilderness. Evolution. Love. Please read this book. It is truly special.
One other thing. I was so moved by this story, I wrote the author. Anytime a book inspires you the way Merle’s Door inspired me, I urge you to do the same. Send your letter via the author’s agent or simply email the author directly via the contact listed on the author’s website.
Now, let's hear about your favorite dog book.
I haven't read a dog book in years and years, but ages ago, I loved (adored!) the James Herriot books. I read all of them, filched from my parents' stacks. To this day, 20+ years later, I still remember some of the stories. I may discuss Joyce with friends, and Thomas Pynchon is living on my nightstand currently, but James Herriot still ranks.
ReplyDeleteHi, Krebiz--I think my son has one of his books and now I'll have to go hunt it up. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJessica
All right, this isn't a book, but the death of Canute (a golden retriever) in John Updike's short story "Deaths of Distant Friends" springs immediately to mind, along with his poem "Dog's Death." And though this doesn't quite make it a dog book, remember that brave switch to the dog's point of view in William Maxwell's So Long, See You Tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteWhy, I have to chime in and recommend my husband's book, of course:
ReplyDeleteYou are a Dog: Life Through the Eyes of Man's Best Friend
And it's a bargain on Amazon.com. Check it out.
Charles--I'll be adding these to my list of readings. I haven't yet read William Maxwell's "So Long..." I'm intrigued. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteSarah-Thanks for sharing the link to your husband's book. And I'll add that your husband's name is Terry Bain.
ReplyDeleteJessica
Oh, I love Wm. Maxwell- I'll have to pick that up. This blog is like a treasure chest of book recommendations for me!
ReplyDeleteKerbiz--Thanks to you and everyone who comments here.
ReplyDeleteAs a young person, I loved Jim Kjelgaard's books Big Red, Outlaw Red, and ... hmm - there was another one whose name I forget.
ReplyDeleteI also like London's Call of the Wild.
In my twenties I worked for awhile in a book store that had an amazing children's section and I fell in love with the Carl picture books by Alexandra Day. She also had some others that involved other animals besides Carl.
I still adore those picture books - that to me capture the essence of the relationship between dog and human, albeit in a bit of a fantastic way. :)
Hi, Billie.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Kjelgaard's books. More to explore. Does that bookstore you worked at still exist?
I had two favorite dog books as a child. One was called Beautiful Joe. I need to find out the author. It was about a puppy who was abused by the owner and saved by a neighbor. The abusive owner cut the dog's ears and disfigured him but he had a beautiful soul, which is why his loving new owner called him Beautiful Joe. Justice prevailed, thank goodness.
The other book was about a dog, the runt of the litter, who grew up to be a champion dog. Can't remember the title.
Hi Jessica:
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question. Dogs books are so great. Thanks for the invite to your blog, a very good blog BTW.
I recommend, From Baghdad with Love, by J. Kopelman and M.Roth. Reading will require at least two tissues. It's about a Marine unit, the horror of war, and a little dog who brings a furry bit of joy into hell. One of the best books I've read in along time.
I'd also recommend for a movie, My Dog Skip. Now, there is a half-box of tissue movie!!!
Best, Linda
Hi, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendation. More to look forward to. I saw My Dog Skip and loved it. A lovely movie. Why must dogs leave us so soon?
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Jessica
Hi
ReplyDeleteNice blog. The first animal book that made me cry was Black Beauty, we had it as part of our school curiculum.
I loved Marley - the world's worst dog. Oh, James Herriot rocks - I so wanted to become a vet, alas that was not to be.
Hi, Lubna.
ReplyDeleteThanks for contributing. Sorry you didn't become a vet. Hope you have some pets?
I've been meaning to pick up this one. Thanks!
ReplyDelete