Best Animal & Pet Care Essays
Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship. is an unforgettable true saga of adventure, friendship, and the unlikeliest of family, as one remarkable animal opens the eyes and heart of a tough-as-nails newspaperman to the world's beauty and its possibilities.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"You don't have to be a "dog person" to be captivated by this real-life story of friendship, gratitude, discovery, adventure, overcoming adversity, and love of the White Mountains of New Hampshire."
"I absolutely adored this book."
"I loved the quotes from other classic authors."
"This book had a profound effect on me."
"Following Atticus was an amazing read."
"After that go to Tom's website and to his Facebook page to see beautiful photos of him and Atticus and, since the book was completed, of Will, an ailing mini schnauzer who Tom has since adopted."
"Tom Ryan makes his and Atticus' story powerful through his delightful narrative woven with honesty, humor, simplicity, and love."
"Perhaps the memories of our dog Max sharing the lands of the White Mountain Apache tribe draws this story closer to my heart."
2 All Creatures Great and Small: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the Worlds Most Beloved Animal Doctor
From seeing to his patients in the depths of winter on the remotest homesteads to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals, Herriot discovers the wondrous variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice as his humor, compassion, and love of the animal world shine forth. “Absolutely super, a rarity, magnificently written, insightful, unforgettable. “This warm, joyous and often hilarious first-person chronicle of a young animal doctor . “[Herriot] is the most entertaining, most thoroughly likeable, most engaging person to have come along in a long time, and the stories he has to tell are fascinating.” ― The Washington Post. “If there is any justice, All Creatures Great and Small will become a classic of its kind . With seemingly effortless art, this man tells his stories with perfect timing and optimum scale. Many more famous authors could work for a lifetime and not achieve more flawless literary control.” ― Chicago Tribune Book World. “Herriot charms because he delights in life, embraces it with sensitivity and gust and writes with grace. “Absolutely super, a rarity, magnificently written, insightful, unforgettable . All Creature Great and Small makes you feel good about the worried and some of the people in it.” ― San Francisco Chronicle. “What the world needs now, and does every so often, is a warm, G-rated, down-home, unadrenalized prize of a book that sneaks onto the bestseller lists . works like a spring tonic: It lifts the spirits and warms the heart . “Herriot has a real flair for writing and his book is a treat.” ― Publishers Weekly.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love animals and I clearly recognize the care and respect James Herriot exhibited for animals throughout his practice was sincere and honorable."
"Though I may be a bit partial to this, the first in the set because it began my experience with Herriot and his friends, each of these books provided immense enjoyment for me."
"I've only read about a third of the book so far, but it's so easy to visualize everything he describes."
"Gentle, noble, gory and yucky in spots, displaying a deep love for the area and its people, and even including a sweet love story, this tale of a young veterinarian starting out in Yorkshire, England in the 1930's is well worth a read."
"In 1972 I read my first James Herriot book and I was hooked."
"I thought this book was full of love in the best way and very well written."
"Love the entire series."
"The authors first book is a joyful and very humerous glimpse into rural England of the 1930s and his start as a vet."
A Street Cat Named Bob is an international sensation, landing on the bestseller list in England for 52 consecutive weeks and selling in 26 countries around the world. When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. Only a heart of stone will not be moved—even to tears—in bearing witness to the love of a London street musician for the gorgeous ginger tomcat he found one day in his apartment building hallway. After all, so Bowen’s reasoning went, he had very little surplus money to feed another mouth, and Bob, a “man” of the streets, would undoubtedly soon tire of domesticity and one day run away to hit the streets again.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Don't recall where I saw the book cover early this morning, but I fell in love with Bob's picture and bought the Kindle edition."
"I bought the book a little while ago, but finally read it: I lost my own orange kitty and I couldn’t bear to read about Bob, fearing there might be sad stuff. I will be sure to support The Big Issue and what they stand for when I travel to UK in the future."
"I have had this book on my "to read" list for a long time, and I've recently spent a lot of time on the couch trying to recoup from an infection."
"Suddenly, a ginger colored tomcat appeared in his flat and changed his life dramatically for the better."
"James wrote very well about his companion."
"I saw this book while walking through Barnes and Noble last week and said oh wow Bob looks exactly like my cat and my cat is named Boba how awesome that is."
"I know now at least one person does and he writes with a flair, nothing flashy, just a solid story of joy, sorrow, and the love of his cat Bob."
"It has great insights into drug addiction and the powerful relationships that humans have with animals."
Best Pet Loss Grief
For anyone who is grieving the loss of beloved pets, this bestselling little book offers wisdom, comfort, and the reassuring hope that we will see our cats and dogs and other animals in heaven. Complete with space for presenting the book to a friend who has just lost, or is soon to lose, a beloved pet; prayers and blessings for all animal companions; and plenty of hope and inspiration, Friar Jack says unequivocally:
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This was a very sweet, very comforting little book for anyone who has lost a beloved pet."
"The subject matter was easy to relate to, but definitely a lot of tear-jerking moments."
"I do like the book and thumbed through it before giving it as a gift."
"My little dog, Coale, died almost a year and a half ago and I still miss her like it was yesterday."
"Got this for wife after we had to put the cat down."
"This is a great book that will bring comfort to anyone who is grieving the loss of a dog."
"A book about hope because you never have to worry about losing your best friends forever since they are going to be waiting for you when your time comes."
"I had no doubt that there is a place in heaven for God's creatures, but this confirms it in my mind."
Best 30-Minute Craft, Hobby & Home Short Reads
A short story for dog lovers, this touching memoir of a shelter dog shares his experiences in his own voice, taking readers from his days of abuse, to the shelter, to a home filled with love.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I hope those who read this book realize there is a way they can help these dogs out of the shelter and into a loving home, They are worth saving, They do have " A LIFE WORTH LIVING"."
"They can endure all sorts of neglect and abuse - and still have hearts full of forgiveness, loyalty and love."
"His emotions, fears, happiness, struggles and, finally, his letting go of a wonderful worldly life together."
"If you wish to read another good story told from the dog's perspective try reading The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein."
"Interesting story - how many people wonder what their furry friend is thinking?"
"However, all animals of higher intelligence have certain emotional needs in common and they express themselves much as we do with the exception of speech."
"What was starting out sad had a good turn for Lester."
"My husband have fostered 17 rescue dogs and counting."
Best Veterinary Medicine
James Herriot’s timeless bestselling series is a delightfully fun look at a country veterinarian and the creatures that populate a charming English town Perhaps better than any other writer, James Herriot reveals the ties that bind us to the natural world. Herriot’s stories rely on numerous autobiographical elements taken from his life in northern England’s Yorkshire County, and they depict a simple, rustic world deeply in touch with the cycles of nature.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"While in most cases it was easy to figure out the correct word (especially since I have read the print editions many times), these mistakes detract from the reading experience."
"I don't know if it helps to have seen the 1970s television series based on these books, but my visualizing of James, Helen, Siegfried and Tristan was definitely drawing from the actors who did such a splendid job bringing the characters to life. Either the editors took the proper care when assembling this volume or the editing style eschewed the device in favour of traditional chapter markup."
"Heartwarming story that helps prioritize why we put up with the things we do when owning a pet."
"Love this series, especially All Creatures Great and Small, belly-laughed at so many parts, wished to see Yorkshire and meet the author in others."
"I simply love these books, they are worth reading and rereading."
"As an RN, I can appreciate Mr. Wight's scientific descriptions."
"It is homey, amusing, gentle and kind, if that kind of thing appeals to you - it sure does to me!"
"Love it, can be read over and over and enjoyed at bedtime for a few minutes or on a long plane ride to hold one's interest for a long while."
Best Animal Behavior & Communication
In this, his latest book, Peter Wohlleben follows the hugely successful The Hidden Life of Trees with insightful stories into the emotions, feelings, and intelligence of animals around us. ...Wohlleben’s words are bound to touch even the animal-emotion skeptic". — Washington Post , Jennifer S. Holland, author of Unlikely Friendships. "With the same charm and clarity that drew so many readers to The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben has produced another gem . I found delight on every page, thanks to the author’s rare skill at blending scientific discoveries with his own wealth of insightful personal experiences . Surprising, humbling, and filled with delight , this book shows us that animals think, feel and know in much the same way as we doand that their lives are, to them, as precious as ours are to us."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The novelty of the Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben's last book, was the author's ability to combine scientific discoveries with personal insight and anecdote to describe how truly animate trees actually are. While always hewing to a necessary humility about the limits of our scientific knowledge of animals, Wohlleben weaves the best of scientific findings with personal anecdotes of the animals in his forest which illustrate and develop what otherwise could be cold and esoteric research. We are story-telling creatures after all and Wohlleben has discovered a formula for writing scientific books that are both popular and informative."
"Sure to be a best seller, his first book written about trees sold 320,000 copies before being translated into English, The Inner LIfe of Animals leaves the reader with a clear understanding that animals share many psychological and social characteristics with people. Buy the book and enjoy a heckeva good read."
"I was delighted to discover that there was a follow-up to "The Hidden Life of Trees.""
Best Agricultural Science History
It turned out there was nothing "micro" about Esther, and Steve and Derek had actually signed on to raise a full-sized commercial pig. "Told with self-effacing humor and a sense of wonder at what life can bring, ESTHER is the story of the transformative power of love between people and animals and how the decision to try to make a difference on a personal level can effect positive change far beyond anything that might have been imagined. "― Larry Levin, New York Times. bestselling author of. Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love. ESTHER THE WONDER PIG is a tender, funny story that manages to sneak up behind you when you're least expecting it and change your life. "Funny, entertaining, enlightening, and touching, this book about an unknowingly influential little piggy is a good read that also provides an education on the intelligence of pigs and their capacity for giving and receiving affection.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've followed Esther on FB for so long, that Steve and Derek feel like friends that I wave to everyday as I leave the house. The book is funny, endearing, thought provoking, and reminds us that there are many other animals that are just as loving and intelligent as our current domesticated pets, and that they don't deserve the treatment or fate they receive in this world. You may not go completely vegan after reading the book, but most everything about Esther's story will at least give you pause, a reason to consider things that you didn't think about before. Fate stepped in, Esther was spared a horrific and short life before becoming a package of bacon, and instead became a social media personality that has followers around the globe. Steve, Derek, and Esther have unknowingly immortalized their legacy; their names, this story, and the current animal sanctuary they run will be remembered and loved forever."
"The only way I could be happier with this book is if it had more pages with more wonderful tales of our favorite porcine princess…I’ve been following Esther, her dads and HEEFS for a while now on social media and, I love everything about them and their story."
"Esther has been a big part of my life over the last year."
"I have followed the adventures of Esther for some time on Facebook."
"As a loyal Esther follower, I wanted the story behind the Facebook page, and I definitely got that."
"The best book you can buy on Amazon!!!"
"I have been following Esther the Wonder Pig on FB for probably close to 3 years."
"It's an easy read and full of fun and good information."
Best Canadian Biographies
Both man and dog were heartbroken and lacking trust, but together, they learned how to share a space, how to socialize, and most of all, how to overcome their bad experiences. At the same time, Colin relived childhood memories of his beloved grandfather, a decorated war hero and a man who gave him hope when he needed it most. Meanwhile, Colin headed to the beach to rekindle his love for surfing, but when George encountered the ocean and a surfboard for the first time, he did a surprising thing--he jumped right on the board. Free Days with George is an uplifting, inspirational story about the healing power of animals, and about leaving the past behind to embrace love, hope and happiness. COLIN CAMPBELL has worked as a marketing executive in both the United States and Canada for the past twenty-four years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Free Days with George was a delightful read!"
"Good story, easy read, and well written."
"Have thoroughly enjoyed the writing and his personal story...George is quite a character and he brings the dog to life on every page."
"Book review for "Free Days with George": I needed a break from history and wanted a 'feel good' book."
"Nice to see pictures of these best buds inside the book too."
"“Free Days with George” is the heartwarming, true story of how George, the Newfoundland dog, and Colin, George’s dad, rescue each other."
"We have the opportunity to give them a loving future."
"A wonderful book filled with heart, humor and massive love for one massive dog."
Best Special Needs Biographies
Defying every prognosis. , with grit and grace, Katherine and Jay, side by side, struggled to regain a life for Katherine as she re-learned to talk and eat and walk. In the midst of continuing hardships and struggles, both in body and mind, Katherine and Jay found what we all long to find...hope, hope that heals the most broken place, our souls. Now, eight years later, Katherine and Jay are stewarding their story of suffering, restoration, and Christ-centered hope in this broken world through their ministry Hope Heals. Jay and Katherine are a raw yet refreshing testimony to the unshakable trustworthiness of God amidst the unimaginable trials of life. ( David Platt, author of the New York Times bestseller Radical and president of the International Mission Board ). Hope Heals is a beautiful, true story that illustrates the love and protection God has for us even in the darkest times of our lives. This book isn’t just a moving story; it’s a song sung by two humble people and what they’ve learned about love when the cadence of their lives unexpectedly changed. I know Jay and Katherine, and I welcome this book, not just as a stirring account of facing tragedy but as a beautiful story of a couple’s relentless love---for God and for each other.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What a powerful story of hope over despair."
"I stumbled upon Jay and Katherine's story about three years ago and was immediately moved by their resilience fueled by the hope of their faith."
"Reading their story helped me to experience it with them in a totally different way - even as we walked with them from the outside and prayed into them during this journey."
"This is a truly inspirational book about a woman in her 20's who has a stroke which almost killed her, then rebuilds her life afterward."
"I generally enjoy books born from blogs, though they're little more than a regurgitation of their blog content and not very well written."
"This is the most beautiful and inspirational book ever."
"Given each spiritual journey is unique in its struggles and triumphs, I can see sharing their incredible walk with God through such immense difficulties in this book is strong encouragement to a fellow sojourner like myself, and others."
"Throughout the book, frequent thanks are also given to God, although like most devout people they don't try to blame God for causing the tragedy on such a young, devoted mother and wife."