Connie\u2019s Book Club

Curl up with a good dog and a good book

A Boy And His Dog At The End of the World By C.A. Fletcher

This heartwarming novel tells the tale of a young boy named Griz and his dog on a life-changing journey. In a post-apocalyptic world with no laws, the two must survive while attempting to save their stolen family dog, Jess. Griz and his faithful companion struggle to maintain hope in a world where all seems lost. A Boy And His Dog At The End Of The World movingly portrays this desolate world and asks readers to question where our own world is heading.

Wed, Read & Dead By V.M. Burns

The fourth installment in the ever-popular Mystery Bookshop series, Wed, Read & Dead deliciously delves back into the life of Samantha Washington, author, bookstore owner, and amateur sleuth, as she solves the murder of her mother’s wedding planner. She wouldn’t be able to juggle all these responsibilities without help from her toy Poodles, Snickers and Oreo. Sam’s friendly pooches make sure she stays on track with writing her book, planning her mom’s wedding, and solving the wedding planner’s murder. This charming page-turner is a must-read for any animal lover who loves a good mystery.

The Wonder of Lost Causes By Nick Trout

Veterinarian Nick Trout astounds once again with his new book The Wonder of Lost Causes. The novel follows veterinarian and single mother Kate and her son, Jasper, as they try to come to terms with Jasper’s incurable cystic fibrosis. As a vet, Kate helps many injured strays in any way she can, including bringing home a mistreated mutt named Whistler who repays her kindness in an unexpected way. Her son Jasper instantly forms a unique bond with the dog and can communicate with him in a way no one else can. What makes this story truly special is the familiarity Dr. Trout has with the tragedy of disease: his own daughter has cystic fibrosis. For anyone in need of a heartwarming story, we highly recommend picking up a copy of Dr. Trout’s new book.

Find the Poo By Joe Shyllit

Sometimes, inspiration is found in the most unlikely of places. Joe Shyllit’s Cockapoo, Farfel, would “do his business,” but on occasion Joe wasn’t paying attention and couldn’t find the poop to scoop. The solution? Train your eye. Joe took photographs of 22 nature scenes with a piece of dog poo hidden in each and published them for the world to enjoy! This hilarious (and surprisingly challenging!) search-and-find book is the perfect, odourless way to train your eyes to detect poo. But don’t worry if you can’t find them all. Unlike in real life, the answers are included in the back.

Unleashing Your Dog By Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce

In Unleashing Your Dog, biologist Marc Bekoff and bioethicist Jessica Pierce take you inside the minds of dogs to reveal how they sense the world around them. This book offers fascinating and important insight into how we can let our dogs be themselves in a world where they live on our human terms, and gives tips for improving your dog’s quality of life while discrediting popular myths about dogs and dog behaviour. This is a must-read for all dog owners. We could all do with understanding our canine companions a bit better.

Fur & Grrr By Craig and Erich Pearson

This hilarious, relatable collection of quick-witted quotes from famous dog lovers across the globe is perfect for when you need a good laugh. Fur & Grrr contains the pet-related musings, reflections, rantings, and ravings from some of today’s biggest celebrities, like Ellen DeGeneres and Jerry Seinfeld. Not only is this book good for a laugh, but humorous facts are inserted as well, meaning you might actually learn something! This quirky collection is perfect for your bedside table or a great gift for a dog-lover in your life.

The Way of the Dog By Eva A. MacDonnell

This thought-provoking novel follows Eros, a Poodle puppy, on his hunt for happiness. As he grows, he must learn about life while simultaneously navigating complicated relationships with other animals. Eros’ many life questions prompt readers to look at their own lives and their relationships with others and the world around them. With his curious and innocent nature, this small pup teaches about compassion and empathy. Look to Eros and his adventures to help strengthen your bond with your own pup and encourage you to accept everyone the way they are. After all, like Eros, we’re all on a journey of discovery.

Dog Training Diaries By Tom Shelby

Dog Training Diaries has something for new and experienced dog owners alike, teaching us how to create better relationships with our furrier family members. Author Tom Shelby reveals the best, most effective ways to teach your dog—and how your dog can teach you in return. This training handbook provides insight on dealing with common issues such as leash pulling, separation anxiety, and aggression in a comprehensive and compassionate way. Shelby’s interspersed real-life stories, including those of celebrity clients, make the training how-to’s both personal and compelling.

Please Don't Feed the Mayor By Sue Pethick

What happens when a dog runs for mayor? A bit of chaos and a whole lot of fun! Inspired by the real-life stories of canine politicians, Sue Pethick tells the tale of Shep the Border Collie who runs for mayor in a small American town. This unlikely candidate draws the attention of big-city reporters, a romantic interest for Shep’s owner, and an escaped convict. This winning novel is filled with unexpected passion, small town charm, and even intrigue, leaving us wanting more. •