"Woe" serves as both a touching tribute to a beloved cat and a comforting reminder to those who have lost a four-legged friend that their sorrow is valid and shared.
All tagged animals
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality – Eliot Schrefer
While Eliot Schrefer had admirable intent in addressing long held and incorrect theories about how we perceive sexual behavior in the natural world, the execution was a hodgepodge of personal anecdotes and pontifications that showed the author’s biases – even though he frequently maligned scientific bias.
Starter Villain – John Scalzi
Expectation: A straight-forward espionage thriller about a man inheriting his uncle’s dirty deeds.
Reality: An outlandish, action-packed sci-fi comedy that won me over with talking animals and some solid social commentary.
Open Throat – Henry Hoke
Expectation: An exploration of the trials and tribulations of a queer mountain lion navigating an increasingly difficult life in Los Angeles.
Reality: Not necessarily queer but highly engrossing with a wonderfully executed ending.
All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis – Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinson
While it may be too in-depth for those seeking general information – honestly, it sometimes felt like reading a textbook – the editors, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinson have compiled a primer on the vernacular, key issues and political lightning rods.
A Man and His Cat, Volumes One - Six – Umi Sakurai
As a whole, I found the series sweet but slight. At times it was repetitive and boring – especially when the human characters were the focus instead of the cats – but Sakurai completely nails the understated joy and endorphin boost of sharing your life with a quirky cat.
Pearl – Josh Malerman
Expectation: High concept horror drivel, if the incredibly low user ratings on Goodreads are to be believed.
Reality: Uneven but creative, I was entertained throughout.
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
Expectation: A high concept buddy dramedy exploring the human and animal connection.
Reality: Marcellus and Tova are the strongest parts of the story, so whenever it shifted to someone else the narrative lost steam. Still, I was charmed overall.
Father of Lions: One Man's Remarkable Quest to Save the Mosul Zoo – Louise Callaghan
While a fascinating microhistory of humans and animals surviving through the ISIS occupation of Mosul through much of the mid-2010s, Callaghan never quite found the right balance between history, politics and humanity.
The Cat Who Saved Books – Sōsuke Natsukawa
Expectation: A fun-filled adventure that celebrates reading and the human-animal bond.
Reality: A disjointed and heavy-handed mess.
The Music of Bees – Eileen Garvin
Expectation: A quasi-cozy romance with enough sass and drama to keep you interested but a firm ground in reality.
Reality: A sometimes far-fetched but utterly engrossing story of chosen family. I was surprised by the emotional depth of the characters and how their journey unfolds.
How the Penguins Saved Veronica – Hazel Prior
Expectation: A dramedy about second chances with a strong main character and a colorful supporting cast of the non-penguin variety.
Reality: Predictable and outlandish, it is saved by a solid foray into Veronica’s past, but the contemporary chapters and almost every other character are unforgettable.
On Cats – Charles Bukowski
If you’re a fan of Bukowski, this collection is likely a must read as it features many previously unpublished works. But if you’re a cat lover looking for saccharine sweet stories, you won’t find them here.
The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
Expectation: A science-fiction version of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
Reality: A deeply emotional, highly philosophical and ultimately feel good “what if” story.
Why "The Art of Racing in the Rain" Movie Is Better Than The Book
Neither is a masterpiece, but “The Art of Racing in the Rain” film changed one key plot point from the book, which helped elevate the overall story. Does that make it better than the book?