By Vidhya Thakkar
Stories carry a power to touch our heart but imagine what would happen if that story revolves around a pet animal or narrates a story from the point of view of an animal? Here is a list of 10 recommended books about animals, about pets which will make you laugh, cry and also will leave you with valuable life lessons.
1.
Book: Poonachi: Or the Story of a Black Goat
Author: Perumal Murugan
Publisher: Context (February 20, 2018)
About the book:
Poonachi by Perumal Murugan is a translated fiction, a story about a little black goat and how she grows up in the world of humans. It is the story of a goat who carries the burden of being different all her life, of a she-goat who survives against the odds. Deeply moving, Poonachi is that rare work in literature about animals that tackles daily struggles.
As you read this book, you read about the forest to habitation, independence to motherhood, you recognise in its significant moments the depth and magnitude of your own fears and longings, fuelled by the instinct for survival that animates all life.
The book was shortlisted for various awards like the Crossword Book Award 2018, JCB Prize for Literature 2018 – A literature award which aims to create greater visibility for contemporary Indian writing.
2.
Book: Gopi Diaries
Author: Sudha Murty
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s (December 20, 2019)
About the book:
Those who have read any book by Sudha Murty know what a brilliant storyteller she is. Her way of writing will make you feel lighter and happier than before. The Gopi Diaries is a series of three books for children, particularly for dog lovers, about a dog called Gopi. Told in Gopi’s voice, the first book begins with Gopi coming home, and tells the story of how he settles down with his loving, human family and the way he preserves the world. This is a book the reader will treasure for the simple stories of basic values told from a dog’s perspective.
3.
Book: Puma: A Soldier’s Dog
Author: Richa Kashyap
Publisher: – Quignog
About the book:
This book is about an Indie pup – Puma whose life changes when he meets Dadda. After he runs into him, he only dreams of becoming a soldier like his Dadda. A soldier whose aim is to save lives, not take lives. A sudden terrorist attack on Dadda’s unit gives Puma a chance to prove his mettle. It’s a wonderful journey of Puma’s, transformation into Commando Puma. It’s a sublime tale of adventure, fun, hard work, sacrifice, love, and hope.
4.
Book: A Dog’s Purpose Series
Author: W. Bruce Cameron
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
(January 12, 2017)
About the book:
A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron is a perfect gift to introduce dog lovers to this wonderful series.
The book is an emotional and hilarious story of a dog’s many lives, but also a dog’s-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man’s best friend. A fast paced book which one would not be able to put down, it makes you question and think about your life purpose. It is a moving and beautifully crafted story which teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.
Following the love and originality it offers, the books have been adapted to screens in 2017. The story offers the reader a heartwarming, wise, humorous and insightful read about the pet dog. The story comes in a 3 part series –
#1 A Dog’s Purpose
#2 A Dog’s Journey
#3 A Dog’s Promise
5.
Book: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell
Publisher: Amazing Reads (1945)
About the book:
Animals are smarter than what we think they are. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a smart depiction and telling of a political satire with an intention to closely reflect the issues facing Europe at the time and his determination to comment critically on Stalin’s Soviet Russia.
Via this book of fiction, Orwell focuses on the potential and current political threat.
“Everyone is equal. But some are more equal than others.”
The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where animals can be equal, free, and happy. The classic is also one of the most recommended books which every individual must read.
6.
Book: A Street Cat Named Bob: How one man and his cat found hope on the streets
Author: James Bowen
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (September 13, 2012)
About the book:
A Street Cat Named Bob is a moving and uplifting story that will touch the heart of anyone who reads it. It is a true narrative about an unlikely friendship between a man on the streets of Covent Garden and the ginger cat who adopts him and helps him heal his life.
When James Bowen found an injured street cat curled up in the hallway, he was clueless on how much his life was about to change. James was living in a poor economic condition and having a pet would be the last thing he would want. Yet James couldn’t resist helping the cat and nurturing him.
The book, upholding true events, comes with many twists and turns. The love received by the book readers manifested itself and it is now also a major motion picture starring Luke Treadaway.
7.
Book: Path of the Puma: The Remarkable Resilience of the Mountain Lion
Author: Jim Williams
Publisher: Patagonia Books
(October 25, 2018)
About the book:
During a time when most wild animals are experiencing a decline in the face of development and climate change, say Australia’s bushfire (2020) which has wiped out majority of the native species, the intrepid mountain lion – popularly known as a puma or a cougar or by many other names – has experienced reinvigoration as well as expansion of territory.
Their story is fascinating for the lessons it can afford to the protection of all species in times of dire challenge and decline.
8.
Book: White Fang
Author: Jack London
Publisher: William Collins; UK edition (September 25, 2014)
About the book:
White Fang is a novel by American author Jack London. The story takes place in Yukon Territory, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush and details White Fang’s journey to domestication.
White Fang is written from the viewpoint of the titular canine character, enabling London to explore how animals view their world and how they view humans. It examines the violent world of wild animals and the equally violent world of humans and explores complex themes like morality, redemption, etc.
9.
Book: Faithful Ruslan
Author: Georgi Vladimov
Publisher: Melville House (September 27, 2011)
About the book:
Faithful Ruslan is a story of a guard dog from a Gulag labour camp, told from the point of view of the dog itself. The story begins from the moment the labour camp is closed and demolished, includes the dog’s best reminiscences of its past, and ends with the canine’s violent death.
According to the author, the purpose of the novel was “to see the hell through the eyes of a dog who assumes it is a paradise.”
Wouldn’t you want to read a story which has so much of love, loss and emotions to offer?
10.
Book: A Three Dog Life
Author: Abigail Thomas
Publisher: Mariner Books; Reprint edition (September 10, 2007)
About the book:
This is a memoir of the time when Abigail’s husband was hit by a car which took a toll on and destroyed his short-term memory and consigned him to permanent brain trauma. Forced to adapt to a life alone, Abigail finds solace at home, discovering that friends, family and dogs can reshape a life of chaos into one that makes sense – a life full of its own richness and beauty.
This tragedy is the ground on which Abigail had to build a new life and a story of great courage and great change, of moving to a small country town, of a new family composed of three dogs, knitting, and friendship, of facing down guilt and discovering gratitude. This wise, plainspoken, beautiful book enacts the truth Abigail discovered in the five years since the accident. This book is a punch to the heart.
11.
Book: Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
Author: Vicki Myron
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (October 1, 2009)
About the book:
How many lives can one abandoned kitten touch?
This is the heart-warming and unforgettable story of a truly idiosyncratic cat with a strong sense of loyalty and love, and a taste for fast-food. Loved by every reader, this is a story about a cat which is here to teach you something very profound about life and leave you with thoughts to ponder upon.
These were few books which you can choose to read alongside your pets or otherwise. What are you waiting for? Get these books and start reading!
Do you think we missed out any particular book? Connect with me on Instagram and let me know!
Author is an avid reader and a blogger who is on a march to motivate people to cultivate the reading habit because that is what helps you grow – individually, emotionally and mentally. She is also the Co-Founder of Mumbai Bookstagram and TBRofthemonth. Check her work at www.vidhyathakkar.com and on her Instagram handle @Reader_Viddh
