‘Tis the season of the beach read! Are you a dog lover in need of a new book to bring to the beach, the lake house or your favorite deck chair in the backyard? Check out the 2023 edition of our annual Summer Reading List for Dog Lovers. Enjoy, and happy reading! 

James Herriot’s Dog Stories

Are you a fans of the heartwarming British TV show “All Creatures Great and Small”? Then you’ll love this collection of stories by the author James Herriot, whose works inspired the series. Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred Wight, a veterinary surgeon and author who lived and worked in rural Northern England. In this collection, he tells 50 delightful, moving and unforgettable stories of his patients and their pups, as well as his own beloved dogs.

The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People by Rick Bragg

From the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg, The Speckled Beauty is the warmhearted and hilarious story of how Bragg’s life was transformed by his love for a poorly behaved, half-blind stray dog Speck. Bragg, a columnist for Southern Living magazine who teaches writing at the University of Alabama, is a gifted storyteller who brings humor, honesty and vivid sense of place to this entertaining memoir. Bragg’s book will resonate with anyone who’s ever loved a perfectly imperfect pet like Speck.

Dog Days by Ericka Waller

George is a widower struggling to cope with loss while caring for his late wife’s dachshund puppy. Dan is a young therapist devoted to his dog Fitz but scared of opening up his life to anyone else. Lizzie is a survivor of domestic violence who slowly forms a bond with Maud, a dog she meets at a women’s shelter. Dog Days, Ericka Waller’s debut novel, tells the story of these three very different dog owners whose lives unravel and intersect in unexpected and inspiring ways.

Love, Clancy: Diary of a Good Dog by W. Bruce Cameron

Best-seller author and dog devotee W. Bruce Cameron makes his seventh appearance on our annual Summer Reading List with his latest, Love Clancy. Clancy, a very good dog, is our main character and narrator, and he makes a delightful protagonist on this journey of love, friendship and rivalry. (Clancy’s “worst enemy” is, of course, a cat.) If you loved A Dog’s Purpose, be sure to check out this one, too.

You Lucky Dog and It Started with a Dog by Julia London

Get not one but TWO tales of love and puppies with this adorable romantic comedy series by Julia London! In the first book, You Lucky Dog, an accidental swap of Basset hounds unleashes an unexpected love match between Carly, a busy publicist, and Max, a neurology professor. The second novel, It Started with a Dog, also begins with a mix up. Rival coffee shop owners Harper and Jonah accidentally swap phones, but will their strong attraction and shared love of dogs survive a bitter battle for the best brew in town? We can’t wait to find out!

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

Beloved author Dave Eggers and talented illustrator Shawn Harris join forces to create this stunning children’s book about a heroic dog named Johannes. For ages 8-12, The Eyes and the Impossible is a beautifully moving tale that debuted in May 2023 to rave reviews. The Wall Street Journal says “[Johannes is] one of the most appealing heroes in recent children’s literature… an early standout for 2023 and, as it happens, a lot of fun to read aloud.”

Dog Days Forever by Shannon Richard

Do you love the movie Sweet Home Alabama but wish it had more dogs? Then pick up a copy of Dogs Days Forever before your next trip to the beach! Caroline, the heroine of author Shannon Richard’s novel, keeps her feeling closely guarded after years of heartache and loss. But she’s in for quite the journey when her childhood best friend and ex-fiancé comes back to town after 14 years away AND shortly after she begins caring for an abandoned puppy named Frankie. Will Frankie’s love help her open her heart to the possibility of a rekindled romance? This summer love story has everything you need – secrets, suspense, long-lost love, and of course, puppies!

Noodle and the No Bones Day by Jonathan Graziano and Dan Tavis

Noodle the pug became a TikTok sensation in 2021 thanks to his “Bones or No Bones” viral videos. But even if you’ve never seen one of his and his Dad Jonathan’s delightful clips, you’ll love this adorable new kids book. Noodle and the No Bones Day is an ode to a sweet, silly old pug and his devoted human, and reminds readers of all ages to take a break when you need it, and that you can always make time for extra belly rubs!!

Do you have your own favorite dog-themed book to recommend? Share your feedback with us in the comments or on Facebook or Instagram. Have a wonderful summer and happy reading!