Best Books on Dogs discussion

Do you agree it is important to understand a person's likes and dislikes when agreeing with a person's rating on a book?

If I like a book I often give it 5 stars. When I really like a book I give it five stars and put it in my folder for 'dogs-favorite-books. Let me know your criteria for a dog book becoming your favorite.

Sometimes people have a pet peeve that make them rate a book lower that you may not share. Since a negative can have more weight sometimes than the positives, it is a good topic. Here are a couple of negatives:

Dog Dies:
The number one thing I hear is 'I don't like it when the dog dies in the end.' (For this reason I add a note Kleenex is needed at the end of a book.)

Dog Narrator:
I personally don't care much when a dog is narrating because often the thoughts and vocabulary are not like what a dog would think or sound like.

Typo's:
Some people rate a book lower because of typo's or grammar issues.

I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and his dog" stories where the dog is used as a tool for the crossover from boy to man... usually by the dog committing some act of self sacrifice to protect the boy, etc. There are so many books that revolve around this concept- it's overdone and I find the authors really try to ham it up so it often comes across as melodramatic.

Loyal Dog Trope:
Now hear me out..when the dog's only character trait is just "loyal" and the book wants us to believe that this is a real animal with wants and needs but we're not shown any of that it pulls me out of the story. Especially if the dog is in harsh environments/ they've been injured, sick or otherwise indisposed and if the dog has been anthropomorphized enough to understand that their owner has betrayed them in one form or another...yuck.

Anyway, I have a hard time reading a lot of dog books back to back ( or just avoid some altogether) because of these tropes that have been recycled over and over again and repackaged into different dog breeds. We need more creativity and a new spin to these tropes.

But take this all with a grain of salt, these are just my opinions.

Casey wrote: "I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and his dog" stories where the dog ..."

Good opinions!
Yes, there is a huge number of books that are the Coming of Age Dog stories. First, I think it is something everyone can relate to. Second, youth is also the time when you really have time to spend more quality time with a dog. It seems of course in the past, most of these types of stories were with a boy instead of a girl, but that goes for a lot of books from the past but maybe not so much now. But I agree, a very common theme and where it can get old.

Note: My current book I am reading, Where the Water Is Cold by James E. Ryhal, is of this type. Mixed with that story is the setting in like the 1920's which in addition to the nostalgia of youth, has the nostalgia of in some ways a more innocent time. I will be thinking of your comments when I do the review.

Loyal Dog Trope.
This makes me think how it seems easier for me to like a good non-fiction dog book than a fiction one. There is so many true stories of dogs doing things that seem to be related to their loyalty. Then when someone writes a fiction book on loyal dogs they can be feel artificial or some other thing that I can find a good word for at the moment. I never get tired of the 'hero dog' theme, but like it more when the save is done in a different way than the usual ways.

I think everyone hates it when a loyal dog is abused from their person. Bad enough whenever a dog suffers for any reason.

Anthropomorphizing dogs
I think this is it's own dislike that a lot of people have. It plugs into my dislike of when a dog narrates the book or the dogs thoughts are described in the text. Most of the time it is exaggerated. I think dogs do have some emotions and display signs, but it has to be handled carefully. Or done in a fun way like 101 Dalmatians :-)

I can't handle when I dog dies even when it's had a rich and wonderful life. I sometimes use the website

https://www.doesthedogdie.com/

I often like when a dog narrates and sounds dog-like like in the Chet and Bernie series (Dog on It( by Spencer Quinn and the Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery children's series by James Howe. I don't like it when they act and sound just like humans.

I am not fond of nonfiction. I just have a hard time concentrating usually. It has to be really funny and interesting so I usually don't like memoirs. I also don't love short stories. They usually end right when I'm getting to know the characters. It's unfortunate because I have some brilliant classic books that fit these two categories.

My favorites are dog cozy mysteries. I'm not the only one so there are tons that just have a dog on the cover and it's mentioned in one scene. It drives me crazy. I don't need the dog to be the center of attention but I'd like them to be as common as any other major supporting character.

I really hate typos and grammar issues. I often re-read my posts to make sure I got everything right (don't judge me though please). I use proper grammar and punctuation in texts. So when I see it in a book, it drives me crazy. Spell check and grammar check aren't perfect but in apps like Word, they work really well and it's really simple. There are also lots of people out there willing to be beta readers for free and they often find stuff, too.

Stephen wrote: "Casey wrote: "I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and his dog" stories ..."

I don't mind the anthropomorphism ( you have to a little bit because well, we're human and we don't know exactly what dogs are thinking lol) , but you're right it has to be done well. That's why The Plague Dogs is one of my favorites because I can see a dog acting like both of the main characters. I could NOT get into A Dog's Way Home- Bella is literally a puppy and knows things that I feel she wouldn't understand. It was, like you said, unrealistic and the writing style got on my nerves- it was super childish. Though I thoughtA Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray had a good handle on a puppy's perspective with a less childish writing style...and I do believe that book is middle grade so go figure.

Non-fiction is hard. I enjoy them, but I want to remember things so it takes me forever to read them because I'm trying to take notes with things I find important/ interesting.

I also don't mind the "Dog dies Trope" because it sometimes makes sense...but if it's just for emotional manipulation/the death feels undeserved then yes it's horrible, but sometimes it can be a powerful moment in the story.

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "I can't handle when I dog dies even when it's had a rich and wonderful life. I sometimes use the website

https://www.doesthedogdie.com/

I often like when a dog narrates and sounds dog-like like i..."

I hate it when there is a dog on the cover, a dog mentioned in the summary somehow, but has no real part in the book. When looking at reviews I look for that. I appreciate it when people add to their review when the dog has a small part or is only just mentioned.

And I guess I am old school too in that I try to correct my spelling and punctuation when writing even in texts and messages. It does not bug me in books I read although I think it is funny when I copy out a quote or excerpt from a book and when I share it, spellcheck or word punctuation checker wants to fix it, but I usually leave it as it was in the book.

Casey wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Casey wrote: "I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and h..."

OK, so a yes/ok vote on anthropomorphism from you. If you haven't read the original 101 Dalmations, I would recommend it.

Non-fiction dog books, there is some great ones, but I can see where it needs to pull you along and not drag. I like taking notes, actually excerpts directly from my books, and if you are reading a hardcopy book, I use the app Text Fairy to copy out text although there are other apps that will do that. You might find that helpful. I envy those who read online or with kindle and can copy/paste easily.

Casey wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Casey wrote: "I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and h..."

I love stories told through the doggie MCs pov (aka anthropomorphism). One of my fave doggie series is the Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn, who does anthropomorphism like no one else. There was also the Please Write by J. Wynn Rousuck that was really funny, at least it was up to that ending😢

Stephen wrote: "Do you agree it is important to understand a person's likes and dislikes when agreeing with a person's rating on a book?

If I like a book I often give it 5 stars. When I really like a book I give..."

Great question, Stephen. It doesn't really matter to me what someone rates a book same can be said for typos; certain devices seem to make typos easier to make. Every reader has a right to their own opinion, especially in their own book reviews. For me, that's one of those golden opportunities, to treat others opinions like I would want them to treat mine - politely and respectfully. While I don't profess to be perfect at this, I do practice it everyday.

I do enjoy doggie narrators, but I do have very rigid opinions on doggie deaths. During the line of duty or at the end of a long and storied life is acceptable, heartbreaking but expected. However, senseless murder and/or abuse of an innocent animal, especially a wonderful family pet simply for shock value or thrills in some cases, is despicable and an automatic DNF for me. Enough said.

Casey wrote: "I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and his dog" stories where the dog ..."

"I find the authors really try to ham it up so it often comes across as melodramatic."

Lol, and I fall for it more times than not.

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "I can't handle when I dog dies even when it's had a rich and wonderful life. I sometimes use the website

https://www.doesthedogdie.com/

I often like when a dog narrates and sounds dog-like like i..."

Love Chet & Bernie. I think Quinn does such a great job at making Chet sound more like a dog than a person.

Donne wrote: "Casey wrote: "I've been waiting for something like this lol I have some thoughts and they're probably pretty unpopular...

Coming of Age Dog stories:
HUGELY popular in "a boy and his dog" stories ..."

Donne, I like the old books when they get melodramatic, but don't think they can do it so well in newer books.

I liked Chet & Bernie!

I would hope everyone is against 'senseless murder and/or abuse of an innocent animal, especially a wonderful family pet simply for shock value or thrills in some cases...' I definitely mention that type of factor in a book.

I was okay with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time because the dog is dead in the beginning, we don't have any time to get to know it and it's not a surprise. (Excellent book, btw, even if it's not about dogs.)

I take notes, too, and turn them into reviews.

I guess the dog book that bothered me the most is Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him as I tend to feel these type of working dogs and what they endure getting trained. This guy sure needed a dog to help him but a few years ago I read that he committed suicide and I wondered what happened to Tuesday.

Seriously? That's horrible! I have a friend who was very devoted to his three chihuahuas. But he killed himself by taking a bunch of pills and going to sleep. The dogs were still in the house. I don't know if he put out food for them first or not, but they were okay. I don't know what happened to them, though. When you're suicidal, you're just not sane, unable to make appropriate decisions, and you convince yourself that everyone, and I guess your dog(s) are better off without you.

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "Seriously? That's horrible! I have a friend who was very devoted to his three chihuahuas. But he killed himself by taking a bunch of pills and going to sleep. The dogs were still in the house. I do..."

Too bad he didn't have a friend to give the dogs to before he did that.

I just did a bit of research on Tuesday who was 13 when his owner killed himself. He left the dog with someone before he used phenobarbitol.

"The pooch’s death comes after Montalvan — a decorated veteran who earned a Purple Heart — died by suicide in December 2016. He had left Tuesday in the care of family members when he took his own life."

I hope it came a while after Montalvan's death. His family didn't think it was suspicious that he gave them his dog?

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "I hope it came a while after Montalvan's death. His family didn't think it was suspicious that he gave them his dog?"

Nothing was said about that but I didn't research for very long.

I have a shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books' and my criteria for that is:

1. One that I would gladly read again
2. Written so well that I want to copy out almost everything to my list of favorite quotes
3. Moved me in a big emotional way
4. Adds something different to the typical dog story

I don't know any book I'd put on that shelf of any genre including my three favorite books of all time. #2 is a pretty high bar.

I've read my favorite book, The Jesus Incident by Frank Herbert, (Christianity and Jesus are just in a tiny piece of the book--it's Frank Herbert) many times even though I'm not a re-reader and given copies of it away since it was out of print for a long time, and even taught a little mini class on it. But there is plenty in there that isn't quote-worthy. :)

It also wasn't emotionally moving so much as intellectually. I just checked and it's actually available on KU!

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "I don't know any book I'd put on that shelf of any genre including my three favorite books of all time. #2 is a pretty high bar.

I've read my favorite book, The Jesus Incident by [auth..."

I put post-it notes on the pages I want to mark passages I want to save and when I have more than like 20 post it notes when I get to the end of the book that is a good sign for my #2 'Written so well that I want to copy out almost everything to my list of favorite quotes'

Stephen wrote: "I have a shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books' and my criteria for that is:

1. One that I would gladly read again
2. Written so well that I want to copy out almost everything to my list of favorite quot..."

Yeah, that's a pretty hard bar to satisfy, but for me, I would say the Sydney Rose Parnell series comes pretty close. I was constantly including her quotes in my reviews. While the series was only four installments, all of them were 5star reviews, for me.

I'll move it up on my list!

Donne wrote: "Stephen wrote: "I have a shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books' and my criteria for that is:

1. One that I would gladly read again
2. Written so well that I want to copy out almost everything to my list ..."

I own Blood on the tracks (although in paperback, ew) by Sydney Rose Parnell and will read it next. Thanks for the recommendation.

Everyone: go vote on this poll. You have to be a member but you can opt out as soon as you vote. (It's a poll as to what your favorite dog is. I put mixed breed.) It's just a group that does a bunch of polls.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...

Done! Mixed breeds for me too! Rescued mutts rock!!!!!

I added a new book to my shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books' which is Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell #1) by Barbara Nickless.

I thought a good point to talk about what makes a dog book a favorite or for some people not a favorite.

1. It has to have a good part for it to be a favorite dog book for me.
2. I didn't want to put it down. That book is a thriller and I think easier to have that worked into a book.
3. The writing creates great mental images that evoke a strong feelings. When I have a lot of great quotes I want to copy out that is a good indication it is a great book to me.
4. I would read it again. (And the new book I am reading is making me want to do that instead of reading the new book.)
5. The rescues and situations need to be different than the obvious or from what you usually find in similar stories. In this one, the owner is threatened by a man who is going to kill her and the dog is in the kennel outside.

Average rating for the book in Goodreads at this moment is 4.22 stars. 45% ratings with 5 stars, 36% ratings with 4 stars.

Great book to me, but people have different opinions. I have not read a lot of action/thriller books, so maybe people who have read a lot of that type have been thrilled by a lot of books and this is one more?
Some people pick the wrong type of book. On reviewer gave it one star because 'trying to still my mind from all the other crazy things going on in the world, I picked the wrong book to read here.'

I seem to see a lot of women that see sexism in stories. One reviewer said, "I hated how Nick berated Sydney into doing what she didn't want, hated that the Sheriff discounted her because she was a woman and there was something about Sydney herself that I didn't care for, not sure what."

One thing I get is not liking a difficult book covering tough themes. one reviewer wrote "This was an awful book. So so so much PTSD stuff because the railroad cop was former marine. Got so sick of that. She was so depressing…. And she never slept. And she could carry men twice her size through snow. And she could get severely injured….several times…. and still keep beating people up and lifting things and fighting."

There also is a difference of opinions on the writing style. When I think it works, I like melodramatic writing. Others don't. This review and at lest one or two mention it, "Hard to like any character, especially Sydney Rose Parnell who is pathetically "macho" and is delivering one cliché after another. And she sees ghosts."

And of course if violent action is not your thing "Very violent. Didn't get very far."

Like I frequently say, people can like what they like. Best we can do is help provide details in our reviews to help others now if it will fit into what they like.

Stephen wrote: "I added a new book to my shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books' which is Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell #1) by Barbara Nickless.

I thought a good point to talk about what makes a dog book a fav..."

For me, it's making the dog an integral part of the story, which is why I like stories about working dogs like police dogs or SAR dogs. I don't mind the cozy mysteries where the dog is more decoration than anything else. Those are ok, once in a while, because the dogs are cute and amusing, but they're most certainly not my go to doggie stories.

Of course, it goes without saying, NO KILLING THE DOG!!!!! The only acceptable doggie deaths are in the line of duty protecting their partner or rescuing a victim, or old age, after a long and storied life being loved and adored by their fave human.

Donne wrote: "Stephen wrote: "I added a new book to my shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books' which is Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell #1) by Barbara Nickless.

I thought a good point to talk about what makes ..."

Yep, 'the dog dies' is probably the number one dislike. I love it when the dog is still alive at the end of the book which means they live forever.

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly. I need a happy ending and that does not include "bittersweet".