Our Dogs
Burger
Creation Lake is the spy novel I never knew I needed. There is so much to rave about with this novel. I fell in love most especially with 'Sadie' and her cold, cruel, calculating, and blunt thought processes as she infiltrates an ecoterrorist group in France and reflects on the other groups she's infiltrated in her past. I already believed Rachel Kushner could do no wrong, and then she comes along with my favorite book of the year so far.
Ziggy
Ziggy is a lover of the simple pleasures in life. Becky Chambers gives him solace on hard days, as he curls up in his comfy cozies under the covers. A Psalm for the Wild Built soothes his technology anxiety, giving Ziggy hope that hoomans will come around and remember what matters, and what doesn’t.
Strangely Feline
I have always loved a novel that takes its time to reveal itself to the reader, and this is one of those novels. Kaveh Akbar’s first published works were poetry, and we in the cat…uhm…I mean dog world, have known him and read him as such, but in this wonderful shift to fiction, he loses none of the poetic grace that has made his writing so vivid, so filled with life, all the beauty and unbeauty, the gains and the loss. Martyr! is a multi-faceted journey well worth every reader's time. Not to mention Lisa’s saxophone. Now, with that said, someone bring me a bowl of milk.
Noodle
Noodle is an old soul. Her favorite genre to read is historical fiction. She chooses There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak as her dog pick. Follow three different story lines ranging from the early 1800s to current times. All three stories are connected by: water, an ancient Mesopotamian city Nineveh, and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Noodle really immersed herself into this novel and wished it wouldn't end! She highly recommends reading it cuddled on a comfy couch (or dog bed 🐶).
Toulouse
Toulouse is a sweet, older gentleman, that loves cuddling while reading a good book. One he recommends that focuses on love and all of the beautiful ways it does and can exist is Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction. From AI rats to indigenous people choosing to protect this planet over colonizing a new one, these stories had a hold on him for a whole weekend. He especially loved reading these stories in between naps so he could dream of different futures himself.
Opie
Opie believes in biting the hand that does not feed and finding ways to rebel against colonialism in everyday life, which is why he connected with Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies, a book of love, resistance, and healing. A surreal journey about connection and defiance, Opie enjoyed chewing on the corners and Simpson's eye for details.
Broozer
Broozer is constantly scared by his own shadow but nothing could stop him from reading Never Whistle at Night. With 26 short stories to invoke all the feelings of dark fiction, he took on the challenge. He jumped off the bed from fright, he whined to his owners when stories got emotionally tough to read, he ran in his kennel when ghosts appeared! He finished triumphantly; we can all appreciate a brave Broozer. He highly recommends this new anthology!
Chloe and Max
These twins saw themselves in the sibling bond between Perry and Pauline. Warrior Girl Unearthed is a beautifully raw and authentic look into the issues Native people, especially youth, are facing today. Perry’s adventure is a story of friendship, family, resilience, and faith. The way Angeline Boulley tackles the complex topics in this novel, while weaving in Anishinaabe language and culture, is masterful. This is a YA novel that is impactful and insightful for young and old cats–and people–alike!
Linguini
Find emotional teen Linguini strolling around a cemetary reading this new title from Cherie Dimaline. A hauntingly beautiful coming of age novel about a young woman finding out who she truly is and where she really belongs. Linguini highly recommends this book about growth, love and coming to terms with death. She also recommends taking a look into Cherie's other incredible novels!
Ryoga
The Marrow Thieves has the most evocative Indigenous speculative fiction premise—Caucasian people have stopped dreaming and are going mad. Indigenous people have dreams stored in their marrow, so they are being hunted down and harvested. Freaky and feels true. Dimaline's first book is a hurtling dystopian adventure, and her second book, Empire of Wild, is also a hunt, but a desperate romantic adventure. Dimaline is Métis, or Michif, and she writes about a traditional hybrid monster who may have stolen her husband's soul. Creepy and also feels true. Cherie Dimaline is an eerie storyteller with a gift for the propulsive narrative!
Ollie
I entered this world from South Dakota, but traveled far to join forces with a girl who dreamed of me for what seemed to be an eternity. It was Make-A-Wish® that made our union possible. My love for my human mommy is boundless, for I am at her side through it all. My human loves humor, and my job is also to entertain her. Since I am a Pug, it comes easy for me to amuse. I am the Jester to my Queen. My Queen finds it difficult most times to pick up this thing that smells very similar to the tall living wood structures outside that she encourages me to pee on. Humans spend many hours looking at these objects, and it appears that it offers some enjoyment. Our palace has many of these items, and the Dowager Queen insists that they are coveted. It is my desire to comply, so we relished The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré. We were swooped through 14-year-old Adunni’s journey and could hardly step away from her story. Adunni is a strong, stubborn fighter who has the reader laugh during the most unexpected moments. Adunni’s experiences is a reminder of the injustices of this world, but provides hope that the human spirit can be victorious over malice. This novel would not be a waste of anyone’s time.
