July 21, 2015

Seven must-read books for animal lovers

By Christina LoBrutto
PhillyVoice Contributor

Summer is a great time to get some reading done. Whether it's by the pool, under a tree or on a sandy beach, you can enjoy the fresh air while getting lost in a good book.

For animal lovers, good stories involve furry, or perhaps feathery, friends. It could be an inspiring story about a loyal pup or a heartwarming tale about a horse. There's just something about animals that makes for a great read.

Below is a diverse collection of books, including a few classics, that will appeal to the animal lover in you.

The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein is a heartwarming tale told from a dog named Enzo's perspective. This 2008 novel follows Enzo as he observes and tries to understand the human life around him.

Excerpt:

I’ve always felt almost human. I’ve always known that there’s something about me that’s different than other dogs. Sure, I’m stuffed into a dog’s body, but that’s just the shell. It’s what’s inside that’s important. The soul. And my soul is very human.

Black Beauty – Anna Sewell

"Black Beauty" is an 1877 classic novel by English author Anna Sewell. Like the novel above, this story is narrated from the animal's point of view – in this case, a horse named Black Beauty.

Excerpt:

I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up.

H is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald

In the wake of her father's untimely death, Helen Macdonald sets out to train a goshawk. Along the way, she realizes how similar she is to the magnificent creature.

Excerpt:

I’d turned myself into a hawk—taken all the traits of goshawks in the books and made them my own. I was nervous, highly strung, paranoid, prone to fits of terror and rage; I ate greedily or didn’t eat at all; I fled from society, hid from everything; found myself drifting into strange states where I wasn’t certain who or what I was.

Every Dog Has a Gift – Rachel McPherson

In "Every Dog Has a Gift," author Rachel McPherson shares insights from her own experiences, as well as a collection of stories of others who have been helped and healed by dogs.

Excerpt:

My salvation was Uncle Bud: a French bulldog who became my constant companion and confidant. When Uncle Bud was stolen, I felt as if my best friend had been taken away—again. Shortly thereafter our family adopted a standard poodle, Fifi, and from then on, all through my teen years and college, and as I entered the work world, dogs continued to be a part of my life.

Marley and Me – John Grogan

"Marley and Me" follows author John Grogan and his family's life during the thirteen years that they lived with their dog Marley. In 2008, the novel was adapted into a movie of the same title.

Excerpt:

Slowly the lesson was sinking into that thick skull of his. If he returned his stick to me, I would throw a new one for him. "It's like an office gift exchange," I told him. "You've got to give to get." He leaped up and smashed his sandy mouth against mine, which I took to be an acknowledgment of a lesson learned.

The Call of the Wild – Jack London

This 1903 novel tells the story of a domesticated dog who is forced to revert to a wild state after he is stolen and sold into service as sled dog in Alaska.

Excerpt:

Deep in the forest a call was sounding, and as often as he heard this call, mysteriously thrilling and luring, he felt compelled to turn his back upon the fire and the beaten earth around it, and to plunge into the forest, and on and on, he knew not where or why; nor did he wonder where or why, the call sounding imperiously deep in the forest.

Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White

"Charlotte's Web" is a classic piece of children's literature. The book tells the tale of a pig named Wilbur and his special friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte.

Excerpt:

Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.

Of course, there are too many amazing animal books to cover them all. Do you have a favorite we didn't mention? Tell us in the comments.

Christina LoBrutto
PhillyVoice Contributor